TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Two-time Olympic softball champion Japan plans to develop pitchers and catchers for an expected battle against the United States at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

"There is no doubt we'll face the United States," Japan manager Reika Utsugi told a press conference in Tokyo. "We'll use anything we can to win."

Softball, which has not been played at every Summer Games, will return to the Olympic program for the first time since 2021.

Japan and the United States met in the gold medal game in 2008 and 2021, with Japan winning both times. Former national team slugger Utsugi steered Japan to gold in 2021.

On how she wants to build the team toward the next Olympics, the Chinese-born 61-year-old said, "I see the batteries as the most important part of the game. I'd like to start by developing pitchers and catchers who can lead us to win games."

"Our goal is the gold medal. We'll make our way to the top again."