Two members of Japanese Sports Delegation of the 15th Asian Games show the gift from Doha Athletes' Village, after attending the flag-raising ceremony, Nov. 27, 2006. -Xinhua

Hayashi Tsutomu, chef de mission of 906-strong Japanese delegation to Doha Asiad, said Monday that he expected Japan could win more medals here than the Busan Asian Games four years before.

Japan sent 627 athletes to compete in 39 sports of the Doha Asian Games and so far more than half of the athletes have checked in the athletes' village.

Tsutomu, also a high-ranking official of the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC), said, "It's difficult to set any target but we hope that we could win more medals than the last time."

Japan finished third overall on the Busan Asiad medal tally in 2002 with 44 gold, 74 silver and 72 bronze medals. China topped the tally with 308 medals, followed by host South Korea with 260.

Tsutomu told Xinhua at the flag-raising ceremony held in the athletes' village that he found that China sent a young team to Doha and that he believed those young Chinese athletes will flourish in 2008.

The Japanese delegation was declared to be officially admitted into the athletes' village after the flag-raising ceremony.

Village's mayor Ahmed A. Al Khulaifi gave a welcome speech, saying that Doha promised to provide to the visitors full comfort and convenience in life so that they could feel really at home at the village.

"We are honored to be the host and prepared to meet the challenge. It is the optimum setting for athletes and together we will make history," said Khulaifi.

The 15th Asian Games is slated for Dec. 1-15 in Doha.