DOHA, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Despite a good start to the Doha Asian Games, Japanese Olympic Committee president Tsunekazu Takeda played down his country's chances of finishing as runner-up at thegold medals table at the end of the event.

    "Now we had eight gold medals. So far, I am very satisfied, but we have to continue to try to get more medals," Takeda told Xinhua Monday afternoon.

    Japan won 44 gold medals at the Busan Asian Games in 2002, far behind China (150) and South Korea (95). With a handful of top athletes, including Olympic champions Kosuke Kitajima, Keiji Suzuki and Masato Uchishiba, in their field, the Japanese are hoping to increase their medal haul in Doha.

    When asked if Japan win the race against South Korea for the second place in the gold medal table, Takeda said: "I can't say at the moment, but I am confident that we will win more medals than the last Asian Games."

    While some worry that China's unshakable dominance may harm the sports development in other Asian countries and regions, Takeda said China was not the one to blame.

    "That is sport. The Chinese have made great input. They deservebetter results," he said. "We have to follow China."

    With the 2008 Olympic Games less than two years away, Japan is also increasing its funding for sport.

    "We have started constructing a national training center. It will be finished next year ... We will try to take the challenge in the future," said Takeda.