Princess Tomohito of Mikasa swapped a game of thrones for a game of throws as she watched Saki Niizoe, Soichi Hashimoto and Takanori Nagase all claim home gold.

Nagase, the Olympic bronze medallist at Rio 2016, was the only one of the three to fight someone other than a team-mate once reaching the final.

He proved too strong for Germany's Dominic Ressel in the under 81 kilograms division, rolling his opponent over for a yuko score before a ne-waza and a bout-winnng tate-shiho-gatame hold.

It completed a third Tokyo Grand Slam title in four years ago for the 23-year-old.

"I’m very pleased to win today as everyone cheered for me and I was happy to give them this win," he said.

"After Rio 2016 I was not able to concentrate at all but after I was entered for this event I became focused and determined to show the world my best judo."

The two bronze medals had an Eastern European tinge after being won by Russia's Aslan Lappinagov and Bulgaria's Ivaylo Ivanov.

Kodokan Cup gold medallist Niizoe beat more established team-mate Chizuru Arai for under 70kg gold after conceding one shido penalty to her opponent's two.

Japan also took bronze courtesy of Naeka Maeda, with the other taken by Venezuelan Elvismar Rodriguez.

Incredible depth from the host nation was highlighted again in the men's under 73kg division, where an all-Japanese final emerged despite the absence of injured Olympic champion Shohei Ono.

World Judo Masters Hashimoto will look to gain a spot in the Japanese World Championship team after defeating Takeshi Doi 2-0 on shido penalties.

Uzbekistan's Giyosjon Boboev and yet another Japanese judoka in Arata Tatsukawa won the bronze medals. 

Austria's Kathrin Unterwurzacher was the only non-home fighter to triumph today after taking under 63kg honours.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam silver medallist required a yuko to defeat Minei Miho of Japan for the biggest victory of her career so far.

Slovenia's Rio 2016 winner Tina Trstenjak did the same as Italy's Fabio Basile yesterday by failing to following Olympic gold with another success here.

She did take one of the two bronze medals, however, along with Margaux Pinot of France.

 The international challenge to Japan is slightly weaker than usual this week due to how many of the world's best fighters are still yet to return to training following a post-Rio 2016 break.

But, on this evidence, Japan will be hard to beat on the road to Tokyo 2020.

The three-day event is due to conclude tomorrow with the heavyweight divisions.

The men will take part in the 90kg, 100kg and over 100kg and the women in the 78kg and the over 78kg categories to bring the curtain down on the season. 

To watch all the latest action and interviews on Judo TV, click here.