Lawyers exchanged documents in the first court hearing on detained former chess champion Bobby Fischer's battle against deportation to the United States from Japan.
Mr Fischer, who is wanted in the US on charges of breaking international sanctions against Yugoslavia, has filed a lawsuit against an order to deport him. He has been detained by Japanese authorities since July 13th.
The court session in Tokyo was brief, with the defence and prosecution exchanging documents containing their arguments and evidence. The next session will take place on January 29th.
"Our ultimate goal is to reverse his deportation order to the United States," said Ms Masako Suzuki, one of Fischer's defence lawyers.
Mr Fischer is wanted by the United States for breaking international sanctions when he played a rematch in Yugoslavia in 1992 against long-time rival Boris Spassky. He won the match and several million euro in prize money.
The Tokyo District Court issued an injunction in September against Mr Fischer's deportation order while judges hear his lawsuit. His supporters say the case could take about a year to resolve.
Mr Fischer was taken into custody when he was stopped at Tokyo's international airport trying to board a flight for the Philippines with an invalid passport. He has claimed, however, that US officials had revoked his passport without following due process.
Mr Fischer has, through his supporters, denounced the deportation order as politically motivated. He has said he wants to renounce his US citizenship and is taking steps to marry a Japanese chess official, Ms Miyoko Watai.
AP