Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said Monday that he hopes to see the finest performance of Japanese athletes at the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games.

The Olympics will inspire every Japanese national to cheer for their team, said Fukuda in a send-off ceremony held for the Japanese Olympic delegation.

The prime minister hopes the athletes will recognize the value of the Olympics and put on their finest-ever performance in Beijing.

He also expected each Japanese athlete to make their respective effort to present a vigorous Japan to the audience.

As Japan won a record of 37 medals, including 16 golds, at the Athens Olympic Games four years ago, Fukuda expressed hope that every Japanese athlete could be awarded a medal at the Beijing Olympics.

The Japanese Olympic delegation, composed of 339 athletes and 237 officials, is Japan's largest deputation to participate in an Olympic Games held outside the country.

The delegation chief, senior Japanese Olympic Committee official Tomiaki Fukuda, said the goal for the Japanese Olympic team is to win double digit golds and at least a total of 30 medals.

The 19-year-old table tennis player Ai Fukuhara will be leading the Japanese team as the flag-bearer during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics on Aug. 8.

(Xinhua News Agency July 29, 2008)