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'Future Ichiros'

Japan welcomes Tokyo team's LLWS championship

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Tokyo Kitasuna took Japan's first title in two years, beating Apopka, Fla., 2-1 in South Williamsport, Pa. It was Japan's fifth Little League World Series title.

"A proud triumph for future Ichiros," read a headline in the mass circulation Asahi newspaper Tuesday, referring to popular Japanese outfielder Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners.

Japan's last title came in 1999, when Hirakata, Osaka, beat Phenix City, Ala., 5-0.

Before Sunday's championship game, President George W. Bush threw out the ceremonial first pitch and wished both teams luck.

Tokyo (5-1) won the international championship Saturday in the bottom of the sixth in a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Curacao, Netherlands Antilles.

Apopka (4-2) upset the Rolando Paulino team from the Bronx, N.Y., 8-2 on Saturday to win the U.S. championship game.

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