Figure skating in Japan is governed by the Japanese Skating Federation, which is a member of the International Skating Union (ISU). The organization oversees speed skating and enforces regulations and promotes interest in the sports under its control.
There was major shifting in the ladies standings on Saturday, and when the dust cleared, Miki Ando was on top.
Nobunari Oda thinks he's got this whole competitive thing nailed down,
It's early days, but Miki Ando is getting ready for her Olympic close-up.
The eyes of two Asian nations are focused squarely on Los Angeles this week.
Most of the world's best skaters were competing last week at the SBS ISU Grand Prix Final, and the results there caused a couple shifts in the world rankings, particularly Mao Asada taking back the ladies No. 1 spot.
The premiere event of the GP Final was the senior ladies competition. A packed house cheered Korean favorite Yu-Na Kim, but it was Japan's Mao Asada who came out on top.
Japan's Nobunari Oda skated off with the gold medal at the NHK Trophy in Tokyo. It was a sweet return to the Grand Prix for the 21-year-old Oda, who missed all of the 2007-08 season.
On Saturday at the NHK Trophy, Mao Asada won ladies gold, Qing Pang and Jian Tong celebrated their first victory of the season, and Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali took the first Grand Prix title of their career.
