The Japanese partnership with the U.S. chain, which operates about 3,700 burger stores, ran into trouble in recent years after a mad-cow scare, which began in 2001 and drove Japanese away from beef, although McDonald's uses only Australian beef unaffected by the brain-wasting disease.

McDonald's also was battered by growing competition from cheap eateries and convenience stores in the Japanese restaurant market, estimated at $251 billion in annual sales.

Harada, who has gotten the Japan business back into the black for the first time in three years, said McDonald's is strengthening its breakfast menu and will have more stores open at 6:30 a.m. Now, stores open later, at 7 a.m. or as late as 10 a.m.

The bagel with cheese, lettuce and tomato is part of the new breakfast menu. Fish sandwiches, juice and salad also were added for a healthier overall menu, according to McDonald's.

At a time when fears about fattening eating habits are growing here as in the rest of the world, McDonald's is supporting the Olympic Games.

Japanese figure-skater Fumie Suguri appeared on the stage with Harada along with the Japanese version of Ronald McDonald, who goes by Donald here.

Harada, formerly the head of Apple Computer Inc.'s Japan unit, was picked to lead McDonald's Japan last year. His appointment was approved at a shareholders' meeting Wednesday.

Pat Donahue, who is stepping down as chairman, said Japan sales have risen for six straight quarters.