ILEA001211925: Shiga Pref. commercial complex reopens

Steam locomotive train runs on bridge in Tottori Pref.

OSAKA, April 15 Kyodo - A special train, pulled by a steam locomotive, of Wakasa Railway Co. in Tottori Prefecture, Japan, runs on a bridge in the prefectural town of Yazu against the backdrop of cherry blossoms on April 11, 2015, during a one-day event.

Steam locomotive train runs on bridge in Tottori Pref.

OSAKA, April 15 Kyodo - A special train, pulled by a steam locomotive, of Wakasa Railway Co. in Tottori Prefecture, Japan, runs on a bridge in the prefectural town of Yazu against the backdrop of cherry blossoms on April 11, 2015, during a one-day event.

Shiga Pref. commercial complex reopens

OSAKA, Japan - The outer appearance of the refurbished Pieri Moriyama commercial complex in Moriyama, Shiga Prefecture, is seen on Dec. 15, 2014, ahead of its reopening on Dec. 17.

Woman produces sake for voice actor of 'Gundam' figure

OTSU, Japan - Kayo Nakamura (R), an operator of a Japanese sake bar, smiles in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Oct. 7, 2014, behind the "Shuichi the Scarlet" rice wine brand she produced in honor of Shuichi Ikeda, a popular voice actor known for playing the role of "Char" in the big-hit TV animation series "Gundam." On the poster behind her is the actor's photo.

Hyogo Pref. urges Russian Far East to invite investment

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia - Toru Okada, director of the International Economic Development Division of the Hyogo prefectural government, stresses the advantages of inviting Japanese companies from the western Japan prefecture to Russia's Far Eastern region at an economic seminar in Vladivostok on Aug. 18, 2014.

Soy sauce art lab in Kagawa Pref.

TAKAMATSU, Japan - Tsuyoshi Ozawa, associate professor at Tokyo University of the Arts, is seen in Sakaide, Kagawa Prefecture, on Aug. 8, 2014. He established a soy sauce art laboratory with Kamada Soy Sauce Inc. to revitalize the local economy.

'Research whaling' begins off coast of Miyagi Pref.

ISHINOMAKI, Japan - A "research whaling" ship leaves Ayukawa port in the northeastern Japanese city of Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, on April 26, 2014. It is one of the first Japanese whaling vessels departing after the International Court of Justice ruled Japan's Antarctic whaling program to be illegal in March.

Suntory Holdings sees record net profit

OSAKA, Japan - Nobutada Saji, president of Suntory Holdings Ltd., holds a press conference in Osaka on Feb. 17, 2014, to release the company's earnings results for the year ended Dec. 31, 2013. The company said its group net profit in 2013 rose 5.3-fold from 2012 to a record 195.57 billion yen due to the sale of shares in Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd. through the subsidiary's initial public offering.

Suntory Holdings sees record net profit

OSAKA, Japan - Nobutada Saji, president of Suntory Holdings Ltd., holds a press conference in Osaka on Feb. 17, 2014, to release the company's earnings results for the year ended Dec. 31, 2013. The company said its group net profit in 2013 rose 5.3-fold from 2012 to a record 195.57 billion yen due to the sale of shares in Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd. through the subsidiary's initial public offering.

"Smart city" in Chiba Pref.

KASHIWA, Japan - Photo taken May 17, 2012, shows a housing complex in Kashiwa-no-ha campus city in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo. The smart city developed by Mitsui Fudosan Co. will be completed in 2014 and accommodate a total population of 26,000, including commuters.

Shiga Pref. commercial complex reopens