THE World Superbike championship was turning Japanese today.

Nine of the 10 fastest riders in today's opening qualifying practice session at Sugo had Japanese connections.

But the biggest surprise was that Honda rider Colin Edwards was only eighth fastest on the manufacturer's home track.

The quickest rider on the first day was wildcard Hitoyatsu Izutsu and Edwards was furious with himself as championship rival Noruyuki Haga was just off the pace in second.

He said: "We've got some work to do as a team but I wasted time at the start of the session. I made a mess of the start of the session, it was my problem, I just wasn't dialled in.

"I never bothered with a qualifying tyre at the end of the session so I know I can grab a bit of time with that in the morning. It's not one problem I've got.

"I need to sort out a lot of things with the machine and really get fired up for tomorrow morning's action. I'm not worried about things -- I'll be okay come tomorrow."

The stand-in for injured world champion Carl Fogarty struggled.

Aussie Troy Bayliss could only set the 14th fastest time on Foggy's Ducati. And the other factory Ducati rider, Ben Bostrum, was even further down the field in 18th.

Fogarty, has been released from hospital and is recovering from a triple fracture of his left arm at his Melbourne hotel. He is due to fly home later this weekend.

He said today: "Troy has been chucked in at the deep end on atrack that he doesn't know. Perhaps the best he can hope for is to get a few points."

Qualifying times: 1 Hitoyasu Izutsu, Japan (Kawasaki) 1m 29.752s, 2 Noriyuki Haga, Japan (Yamaha) 1m 29.900s, 3 Makoto Tamada, Japan (Honda) 1m 29.992s, 4 Keiichi Kitigawa, Japan (Suzuki) 1m 30.091, 5 Wataru Yoshikawa, Japan (Yamaha) 1m 30.237s, 6 Pier-Francesco Chili, Italy (Suzuki) 1m 30.401s, 7 Troy Corser, Australia (Aprilia) 1m 30.406s, 8 Colin Edwards, USA (Castrol Honda) 1m 30.457s, 9 Akira Yanagawa, Japan (Kawasaki) 1m 30.625s, 10 Akira Ryo, Japan (Suzuki) 1m 30.684s.

Free practice -- 1 Colin Edwards USA Castrol Honda 1m 30.496s 2 Shinichi Ito Japan Honda 1m 30.537s 3 Akira Ryo Japan Suzuki 1m 30.708s 4 Tamaki Serizawa Japan Kawasaki 1m 30.785s 5 Hitoyasu Izutsu Japan Kawasaki 1m 30.884s 6 Makoto Tamada Japan Honda 1m 30.917s 7 Wataru Yoshikawa Japan Yamaha 1m 31.058s 8 Keiichi Kitigawa Japan Suzuki 1m 31.158s 9 Troy Corser Australia Aprilia 1m 31.191s 10 Pier-Francesco Chili Italy Suzuki 1m 31.457s