Tokyo Olympic organisers have released a list of 26 sports that have applied for inclusion in the 2020 Games.
The combined bid from baseball and softball is considered a favourite because of the popularity of those sports in Japan. Other federations that hope to have their sports added to the program include karate, squash and sumo wrestling.
"We have three criteria in deciding which sports will be chosen," said Toshiro Muto, chief executive officer of the Tokyo organising committee. "They must be popular with young people, give momentum to Tokyo 2020 and meet IOC standards."
The Tokyo committee said it would announce a shortlist on June 22. Finalists will make a presentation in Tokyo in August, and organisers will make recommendations to the International Olympic Committee by September 30.
The IOC will make a final decision in August 2016, when it meets ahead of the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Under the IOC's "Olympic Agenda 2020" reforms approved in December, host cities can propose the addition of one or more sports for their games.
Baseball and softball were dropped after the 2008 Beijing Games.
Other sports on the list of applicants include surfing, roller sports, polo and American football.
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