The defending Asian Games champions Japan beat Uzbekistan 101-83 here on Thursday in the opener of thewomen's basketball tournament of the Busan Asian Games.

Japan, who beat China to win the gold medal at the Bangkok Games in 1998, was never really threatened. Uzbekistan pulled within 82-69 late in the fourth period, but that was the closest they could go.

Japan coach Norihiko Kitahara said he was concerned about the next game against China.

"I am concerned about the next game in which we will play China," Kitahara said. "We must do our best."

Six teams are competing at the Asian Games women's basketball with top four finishers in the round-robin preliminary action qualifying for the semi-finals.

The Japanese women, 13th-placers at September's world championship in Jiangsu, China, jumped to a 31-13 lead after the first period and enlarged the gap to 56-33 at the half time.

(Xinhua News Agency October 3, 2002)