Japan - February 06, 2025 Storyline: Japanese people are expressing their support and hopes for the success of their national team athletes at the upcoming 9th Asian Winter Games which will officially open in Harbin, the provincial capital of Heilongjiang in northeast China, on Friday evening. The Asian Winter Games this year will gather athletes representing 34 countries and regions across Asia. Japan is sending a delegation of 228 members, including 151 athletes, who will compete in short track speed skating, figure skating, ice hockey, curling and others. "Curling and figure skating are more popular in Japan, so I especially hope that the athletes in these two events will do their best," said a resident of Tokyo. "I'm fond of curling all the time. I want to tell athletes to go for victory," said another Tokyo resident. "I hope the athletes could grab gold medals this time and inspire children around the world to become interested in sports like skiing. I hope Japan could bring up more athletes who are able to snatch gold medals," said another resident. Shotlist: Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China - Recent: 1. Aerial shot of 9th Asian Winter Games competition venue; FILE: Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China - December 2024: 2. Aerial shot of competition venue; 3. Various of interior of competition venue; Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China - Recent: 4. Sign of 9th Asian Winter Games; Tokyo, Japan - Feb 6, 2025: 5. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) resident (name not given): "Curling and figure skating are more popular in Japan, so I especially hope that the athletes in these two events will do their best." 6. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) resident (name not given): "I'm fond of curling all the time. I want to tell athletes to go for victory." FILE: Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China - December 2024: 7. Aerial shot of competition venue; 8. Interior of competition venue; Tokyo, Japan - Feb 6, 2025: 9. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) resident (name not given): "I hope the athletes could grab gold medals this time and inspire children around the world to become interested in sports like skiing. I hope Japan could bring up more athletes who are able to snatch gold medals." 10. Various of traffic, pedestrians. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]