NPB denies steroid use in Japan

Kyodo) _ (EDS: UPDATING, INCORPORATING EARLIER STORIES ON JAPAN'S REACTION TO REPORT ABOUT USE OF PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING DRUGS IN MAJOR LEAGUES)
Acting Nippon Professional Baseball commissioner Yasuchika Negoro on Friday categorically denied the use of performance-enhancing substances in Japanese baseball.
"Our monitoring of the use of banned substances has been working properly," Negoro said following the release of former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell's report on steroid use in the major leagues that cites cases involving players currently active in Japan.
Yakult Swallows first baseman Adam Riggs and Hanshin Tigers reliever Jeff Williams are among the players who appeared on the list. However, both have tested negative in random drug screenings conducted by the NPB.
"About two-thirds of the NPB-related players mentioned by the report have received tests and there have been no positive cases, so I don't see any problems at all regarding the monitoring by our organization," Negoro said.
According to the Mitchell report, Williams bought Anavar and Dianabol steroids from a former New York Mets clubhouse attendant in December 2004 -- after the former Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander joined the Hanshin Tigers in 2003.
"In order to provide Williams with information about these allegations and to give him an opportunity to respond, I asked him to meet with me. He did not respond to my request," the report said, showing a copy of one check from Williams dated Dec. 10, 2004, in the amount of $1,820.
"I trust him," Hanshin club president Nobuo Minami said in a brief comment when asked about Williams' case cited by the report.
"He flatly denied the use of any banned substances and said he is ready to accept fresh checkups any time," Minami added.
Williams, who helped Australia win the silver medal in the Athens Olympic baseball tournament, was negative in tests conducted by the Australian Olympic Committee in May last year and by the NPB two months later.
The NPB systematically started doping tests this year after one year of framework building amid controversy over alleged steroid use that has rocked the major leagues.
"We've been urging each club in NPB executive committee meetings to remain cautious about the use of banned substances. I hope all clubs continue their work," committee chairman Tadao Koike said.
The Mitchell report also named Alex Cabrera, who left the Seibu Lions this offseason after the two sides remained divided over a salary deal.
Senior Seibu official Kosuke Maeda denied Friday that the Pacific League club did not re-sign the former Arizona Diamondbacks slugger because of his alleged steroid use.
"That's not why he left Seibu," Maeda said when asked whether his alleged steroid use is the reason for Cabrera's departure after the Venezuelan spent seven years with the Lions.
The report said, "The Drug Enforcement Administration confirmed that the shipment to Cabrera (a bottle of anabolic steroids and several hundred pills in a package mailed to the Diamondbacks' stadium in mid-September 2000) had contained steroids."
Maeda ruled out the possibility that Cabrera used banned substances during his stint with the Lions that began in 2001.
"I don't believe he ever did it and we always warn foreign players against drug use each time we sign them," Maeda said.
Meanwhile, officials of the Orix Buffaloes said the allegations will not affect their hunt for Cabrera, who led the Pacific League in home runs in 2002 and in RBI in 2006.