Japanese men failed to win a single gold medal at Rotterdam a year ago. It was the first time Japanese men failed to claim a title in any of the weight categories since the weight class system was introduced in 1965.

"We have to do everything possible to avenge the humiliation we felt a year ago," Japan men's coach Shinichi Shinohara said.

The gold medal drought in Rotterdam was a sobering wake-up in a nation where the sport originated.

At the Beijing Olympics, Japanese men managed just two gold medals, their worst result ever at an Olympics.

To try to get Japanese judo back in winning form, former Olympic gold medalist Kosei Inoue has been recruited to act as an adviser at the Sept. 9-12 tournament at Yoyogi Gymnasium. Inoue won the gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, where Japan led the medal table with four gold, two silver and four bronze.

Many reasons have been given for Japan's recent judo malaise. Japanese athletes, particularly men, have problems dealing with international competitors who are bigger and often rely on unorthodox styles of judo.

But if Japan is to regain its dominance of the sport, it will need strong performances from Athens Olympic champion Keiji Suzuki and national champion Kazuhiko Takahashi, who will both be competing in the over-100 kilogram event on the first day of competition.

Standing in their way will be France's Teddy Riner, a two-time world champion in the division.

Japan's women judoka fared much better in Rotterdam by winning three golds and two bronze medals.

Ryoko Tani, Japan's most celebrated female judoka, is sitting out the tournament after winning a seat in Japan's parliamentary elections in July.

Tani, who won gold medals in Sydney and Athens and has seven world titles at the 48-kilogram class, still has plans to compete in the 2012 London Olympics but is concentrating on politics for now.

In her absence, Tomoko Fukumi will be bidding for gold in the 48-kilogram event.