Murakami leads Asada,Takahashi wins Japan Nationals

After a somewhat lackluster grand prix season this year, youngster Kanako Murakami has taken the lead after the short programme at Japanese Nationals. 2-time world champion Mao Asada is close behind skating 3 weeks after the death of her mother. Akiko Suzuki stands in 3rd.

Unlike the ever-plighted USA, Consistent international performance by the Japanese means they have 3 men's and 3 women's spots for Worlds. 

Here are the short programme results and videos (courtesy of Figure Skating Examiner)
LADIES (top 15 after the short program)
1. Kanako Murakami – 65.56 VIDEO
2. Mao Asada – 65.40 VIDEO
3. Akiko Suzuki – 59.60 VIDEO
4. Yuki Nishino – 58.52
5. Haruka Imai – 57.82
6. Kana Muramoto – 54.20
7. Miu Sato – 54.14 VIDEO
8. Satsuki Muramoto – 53.16
9. Haruna Suzuki – 53.04 VIDEO
10. Kako Tomotaki – 52.02 VIDEO11. Risa Shoji – 51.50 VIDEO
12. Mutsumi Takayama – 48.48
13. Miyabi Ohba  – 48.26 VIDEO14. Shoko Ishikawa – 47.62
15. Satoko Miyahara – 47.06

In the Men's event Daisuke Takahashi was leading by a country mile after the Men's short programme and despite 3 falls in his free skate was able to hold off Takahiko Kozuka for his 5th national title.
MEN (final standings)
1. Daisuke Takahashi – 254.60
2. Takahiko Kozuka – 250.97
3. Yuzuru Hanyu – 241.91
4. Tatsuki Machida – 213.48
5. Takahito Mura – 204.21
6. Daisuke Murakami – 203.41
7. Keiji Tankaa – 201.45
8. Kento Nakamura – 195.94
9. Shoma Uno – 190.42
10. Ryuju Hino – 188.30