Rod Stewart begins Japanese tour

OSAKA, Japan, March 10 (UPI) -- British rocker Rod Stewart is touring Japan for the first time in 13 years.

Japan Today said the 64-year-old recording artist sang 21 songs, including his signature tracks "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?" and "Sailing," during his kick-off concert Monday night before a crowd of 6,000 at the Osaka Castle Hall.

Stewart also kicked a signed soccer ball into the audience and told concertgoers he thinks Shunsuke Nakamura, who plays for Celtic in the Scottish Premier League, is a stellar player and fantastic representative for Japan.

The singer is to perform at the Budokan in Tokyo Wednesday and Thursday, and at the Saitama Super Arena Saturday, Japan Today noted.