Takahashi will be joined on the start-line tomorrow morning by compatriots Ai Udea, winner of the most recently contested World Cup event in Tongyeong in South Korea, and the hugely experienced Juri Ide, who won on this course two years ago.

But the Japanese will be challenged by a United States team packed with talent including Summer Cook, Chelsea Burns, Renee Tomlin and Erika Ackerlund.

Spain's Miriam Casillas heads to Japan on the back of three successive World Cup top-ten finishes and will no doubt be in contention once more this weekend, but fellow Europeans Sandra Dodet of France and Annamaria Mazzetti of Italy have been in great form too.

Mexico's Rodrigo Gonzalez goes into the men's race wearing the number one at the end of another packed year that included victory in the Huatulco World Cup in June.

But Switzerland's Max Studer arrives fresh from his first-ever World Cup win in Tongyeong two weeks ago, having already earned European Cup and European under-23 titles this summer.

And Spain's Vicente Hernandez was second here last year.

Russia's Polyanskiy brothers return to the triathlon front-line, with Dmitry chasing his third World Cup triumph of the season and younger sibling Igor seeking his first World Cup podium in two years.

Also worth looking out for will be Felix Duchampt of France and the emerging US talents of Seth Rider and Eli Hemming, while Japan will be looking to Ren Sato and Asian Games champion Jumpei Furuya.