TOKYO - Japanese weightlifter Ryuta Takahashi has been given a two-year ban after testing positive for anabolic steroids.

The Japan Anti-Doping Agency banned Takahashi after an out-of-competition test showed traces of the anabolic steroid metenolone, a JADA official said Friday.

Takahashi was tested during training in February. He has not been selected for next month's Asian championship in Japan, which doubles as a qualifier for this summer's Beijing Olympics.

Takahashi becomes the fourth athlete to receive a two-year ban from JADA since the agency took on the role of a national disciplinary body in July 2007.

Metenolone is an androgenic substance which is on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of banned substances.