Tokyo, August 14, 2006: The faces may be familiar, but the names on the back of the shirts will mark a break with tradition for Japan's women's volleyball team this year.
No longer just the formalities of the family name, but first names and Brazilian-style nicknames are very much "in" with the players in World Championships year.
Fireball Miyuki Takahashi will be known by her nickname, "Shin", and 19-year-old libero Akiko Ino will use the name "Sei" from her high school, Seiei.
Middle blocker Makiko Horai will take the first two letters of both names and go by "Maho", while eight of the 14 players in the World Grand Prix squad will use their given names -- even though Erika Araki will go with the more Westernised spelling "Erica."
This leaves just three players bearing their family name, including Megumi Itabashi because there is another, more famous Megumi around: ace spiker Megumi "Megu" Kurihara, who will miss the World Grand Prix due to injury.
Team manager Yuko Arakida explains the change in policy.
"There are some players who have the same family name, and usually we put the family name followed by the initial of their given name," said the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games gold medal-winner.
"With the case of Takahashi, both girls are 'M' -- Miyuki and Midori -- so Miyuki will take her nickname Shin and the other Takahashi will be Midori.
"We then decided to open it up to all players and let them pick their own name. First names or nicknames give them a special identity with the fans."
And, who knows, they may also confuse the opposition!
