Search｜Photos & Images & Videos｜KYODO NEWS IMAGES INC

Kamaishi Fire Co. bugle band rehearses fanfare

MORIOKA, Japan - The bugle band of the Kamaishi Fire Company rehearses a fanfare in Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture, on May 25, 2014.

E

Deer meat popular at curry shop in western Japan

OTSU, Japan - A dish of deer meat curry is served at a Curry House Coco Ichibanya outlet in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, in this photo taken on Dec. 25, 2014. Unlike in Europe, deer meat is not considered a delicacy in Japan, but the venison dish which uses meat from deer hunted to reduce their impact on the environment has steadily gained popularity.

E

Beijing town lives on garbage

BEIJING, China - A Chinese man carries pieces of corrugated board and other garbage on a tricycle in Dongxiaokou town in the Changping District, northwestern Beijing, on Dec. 25, 2014. The town is often called a "garbage village" where many families make a living by collecting electronic components and other useful items for reselling.

E

Vietnamese artist continues drawing propaganda art

HANOI, Vietnam - Prominent Vietnamese artist Luong Anh Dung shows his works of propaganda in Hanoi on Dec. 25, 2014. Such works of art were used to encourage unity and fighting spirit during the Vietnam War.

E

Vietnamese artist continues drawing propaganda art

HANOI, Vietnam - Prominent Vietnamese artist Luong Anh Dung shows his works of propaganda in Hanoi on Dec. 25, 2014. Such works of art were used to encourage unity and fighting spirit during the Vietnam War.

E

Tennis racket with play-tracking sensor on sale

OSAKA, Japan - A tennis racket with a sensor in the handle to track all aspects of the user's play, put on sale on Dec. 25, 2014, is shown in this photo released by its manufacturer Dunlop Sports Co. The "Pure Drive Play" racket enables the user to download data such as the number of serves to his or her smartphone and other devices.

E

NPO to build traditional underwear factory in Thailand

KOCHI, Japan - Hidehiro Tamaki, head of a nonprofit organization, holds a "fundoshi" traditional undergarment for men in Kochi, western Japan, on Dec. 25, 2014. The organization plans to build a fundoshi production factory in Thailand to provide local impoverished children with an opportunity to receive vocational training and is currently collecting donations through crowdfunding on the Internet.

E

Japanese school backpacks popular among foreigners

OSAKA, Japan - A consumer electronics shop in Osaka, western Japan, displays "randoseru" leather backpacks for schoolchildren on Dec. 25, 2014, amid their great popularity among foreign tourists.

E

Band plays for 1st time in 3 years at Syrian church

DAMASCUS, Syria - A marching band performs Christmas music for the first time in three years in the courtyard of a Catholic church in the old city of Damascus in Syria on Dec. 25, 2014.

E

Christmas mass held at Syrian church

DAMASCUS, Syria - A Christmas mass is held at a Catholic church in the old city of Damascus in Syria on Dec. 25, 2014.

E

Narita airport full of tourists from abroad

NARITA, Japan - Tourists swarm the arrival lobby at Narita airport east of Tokyo during the yearend and New Year holiday season as seen in this file photo taken on Dec. 25, 2014.

E

Sony comedy "The Interview" shown in U.S. theaters

NEW YORK, United States - A university student shows her ticket to controversial comedy "The Interview" about a fictional plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at a movie theater in Manhattan, New York, on Dec. 25, 2014. The movie began screening the same day at a limited number of U.S. theaters despite the threat of a terrorist attack.

E

Sony comedy "The Interview" shown in U.S. theaters

LOS ANGELES, United States - A board member of Cinefamily, a movie theater in Los Angeles, holds the American flag in front of the theater on Dec. 25, 2014, prior to the screening of controversial comedy "The Interview" about a fictional plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The movie began screening the same day at a limited number of U.S. theaters despite the threat of a terrorist attack.

E

Sony comedy "The Interview" shown in U.S. theaters

NEW YORK, United States - People line up outside a movie theater in New York on Dec. 25, 2014, to see controversial comedy "The Interview" about a fictional plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The movie began screening the same day at a limited number of U.S. theaters despite the threat of a terrorist attack.

E

Taipei Mayor Ko takes office

TAIPEI, Taiwan - New Taipei Mayor Ko Wn-je (R) receives the official seal from outgoing Mayor Hau Lung-pin (D) during an inauguration ceremony in Taiwan's capital Taipei on Dec. 25, 2014. Ko won the election as an independent candidate with support from the pro-independent Democratic Progressive Party.

E

Sony comedy "The Interview" shown in U.S. theaters

LOS ANGELES, United States - Evan Goldberg (L center) and Seth Rogen (R center), the directors of controversial comedy "The Interview" about a fictional plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, speak before the audience prior to the screening of the film at a theater in Los Angeles on Dec. 25, 2014. The movie began screening the same day at a limited number of U.S. theaters despite the threat of a terrorist attack.

E

BOJ chief urges business executives to raise wages

TOKYO, Japan - Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda makes a speech at a meeting with the Japan Business Federation, also known as Keidanren, in Tokyo on Dec. 25, 2014. Kuroda called on corporate executives to raise the salaries of their employees as they prepare for annual wage talks starting early next year.

E

Taipei Mayor Ko takes office

TAIPEI, Taiwan - New Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je poses for photos during an inauguration ceremony in Taiwan's capital Taipei on Dec. 25, 2014. Ko won the mayoral election on Nov. 29 as an independent candidate with support from the pro-independent Democratic Progressive Party.

E

Shinkansen bullet train crew carries iPads

OSAKA, Japan - A Shinkansen bullet train crew carries iPad tablet computers along with a written operating manual and a collection of regulations (foreground) in Osaka on Dec. 25, 2014, in preparation for a West Japan Railway Co. rule taking effect on Jan. 1, 2015. The written documents are incorporated into iPads.

E

Hakodate Christmas Fantasy steam locomotive ends 2014 run

HAKODATE, Japan - Hokkaido Railway Co. runs the Hakodate Christmas Fantasy steam locomotive, seen in the town of Nanae, in Hokkaido on Dec. 25, 2014, the last day of the operation this winter. It is expected to be the final run of the steam locomotive seasonally operated between Hakodate and Onumakoen stations as well.

E

Kagoshima governor favors use of nuclear reactors

KAGOSHIMA, Japan - Kagoshima Gov. Yuichiro Ito speaks in an interview with Kyodo News in Kagoshima, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 25, 2014, saying he sees no choice but to continue using nuclear power generation for the time being in connection with the planned restart of an atomic power plant in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture.

E

Mother sheep stroll on snow-covered ground in Sapporo

SAPPORO, Japan - A total of 32 mother sheep, including 13 pregnant sheep, walk on snow-covered ground of the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization in Sapporo, Hokkaido, on Dec. 25, 2014. They took a 1-kilometer, 15-minute walk to make up for a lack of exercise. The sheep will continue their walk in the snow almost every day until February.

E

Okada announces candidacy for DPJ leadership election

TOKYO, Japan - Katsuya Okada, acting head of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan, speaks at a news conference at the DPJ's headquarters in Tokyo on Dec. 25, 2014. Okada said he will run in the party's leadership election on Jan. 18. The election will be held to pick the successor to outgoing President Banri Kaieda, who lost his seat in the Dec. 14 House of Representatives election.

E

Okada announces candidacy for DPJ leadership election

TOKYO, Japan - Katsuya Okada, acting head of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan, speaks at a news conference at the DPJ's headquarters in Tokyo on Dec. 25, 2014. Okada said he will run in the party's leadership election on Jan. 18. The election will be held to pick the successor to outgoing President Banri Kaieda, who lost his seat in the Dec. 14 House of Representatives election.

E

N.Y. Yankee Tanaka joins horse racing post position draw

TOKYO, Japan - New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka shows a name tag for dual classic winner Gold Ship during a post position drawing in Tokyo on Dec. 25, 2014, for the year-end Arima Kinen Grade 1 horseracing event set for Dec. 28.

E

Comic character effigy gets New Year sacred rope

YONAGO, Japan - Workers put a sacred Shinto rope of rice straw around the neck of a huge stone figure of the "GeGeGe no Kitaro" comic character as a customary New Year decoration in Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture, on Dec. 25, 2014. The western Japan city is the birthplace of comic author Shigeru Mizuki.

E

New Defense Minister Nakatani reviews honor guard

TOKYO, Japan - Gen Nakatani (R), Japan's new defense minister, reviews an honor guard at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Dec. 25, 2014, the day after assuming the post.

E

Lawsuit filed to nullify election outcome over vote disparity

OSAKA, Japan - Lawyers head for the Osaka High Court in Osaka, western Japan, on Dec. 25, 2014, to file a lawsuit seeking to nullify the results of the House of Representatives election on Dec. 14 for the Nara No. 4 constituency because of the disparity in the weight of votes.

E

New Defense Minister Nakatani reviews honor guard

TOKYO, Japan - Gen Nakatani (R), Japan's new defense minister, reviews an honor guard at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Dec. 25, 2014, the day after assuming the post.

E

Christmas mass in Bethlehem

BETHLEHEM, Palestinian Authority - People attend a Christmas mass on Dec. 25, 2014, in Bethlehem in the West Bank, the Palestinian autonomous region.

E

ANA selling Jumbo jetliner seats

TOKYO, Japan - All Nippon Airways Co. puts on sale on Dec. 25, 2014, premier-class passenger seats from a Boeing 747 retired from service due to high maintenance costs.

E

"Digital detox" trips gain traction in Japan

ATAMI, Japan - Photo taken Nov. 25, 2014, shows an offer of free dessert at Cafe Lydian in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, for customers who can turn off their mobile phones while eating.

E

Vietnamese woman married to South Korean works at cafe

TOKYO, Japan - Hien Lee (R), a Vietnamese woman married to a South Korean, works at a coffee chain outlet at the head office of Posco Co. in Seoul on Nov. 25, 2014. The chain supports foreign women who moved to South Korea as the result of an international marriage by hiring them as baristas. (Photo by Makoto Hori)

E

Occupational support for mentally challenged people

TOKYO, Japan - Job Support Network founder Takashi Kanatsuka speaks of his motivation behind the establishment of the nonprofit group during an interview in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2014. It will be mandatory from 2018 for employers to include mentally challenged people in achieving a minimum percentage of disabled persons in employment.

E

Protest in Johannesburg as split in society deepens

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - Labor union members and other protesters march on the streets of Johannesburg, South Africa, on Nov. 25, 2014, in a far cry from "a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world" advocated by Mandela Nelson at the time of his inauguration as the country's first democratically elected president in 1994.

E

Irish chorus group to tour disaster-hit areas in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - Members of Irish chorus group Anuna, led by artistic director and composer Michael McGlynn (front), sing in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2014, before their concert tour to Fukushima and Iwate prefectures, northeastern Japan, that were hit by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, and to the central prefecture of Nagano, hit by the eruption of Mt. Ontake in September and a major earthquake in November. The group is scheduled to perform in other parts of Japan as well.

E

Riots follow grand jury's decision in Missouri

FERGUSON, United States - Merchandise is strewn across the floor of a store that was looted in Ferguson, Missouri, on Nov. 25, 2014, following the grand jury's decision the previous day not to indict Darren Wilson, a white police officer who fatally shot Michael Brown, an 18-year-old black man, in August in the city.

E

Riots follow grand jury's decision in Missouri

FERGUSON, United States - Flowers are placed Nov. 25, 2014, near the spot where Michael Brown, an 18-year-old black man, was fatally shot in August by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. Riots erupted in the city following the grand jury's decision on Nov. 24 not to indict the police officer.

E

Riots follow grand jury's decision in Missouri

FERGUSON, United States - A store is gutted after an arson attack in Ferguson, Missouri, on Nov. 25, 2014, following the grand jury's decision the previous day not to indict Darren Wilson, a white police officer who fatally shot Michael Brown, an 18-year-old black man, in August in the city.

E

Urawa's Goto named 2014 MVP of Nadeshiko League

TOKYO, Japan - Michi Goto of Urawa Reds Ladies gives a speech after being selected as the most valuable player of the Nadeshiko League at an annual ceremony held at a hotel in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2014.

E

Pro-democracy protests in H.K.

HONG KONG, China - Police officers head to join their fellow officers in the Mongkok shopping district of Hong Kong on the night of Nov. 25, 2014, to suppress pro-democracy protesters after protest barricades were dismantled in the area earlier in the day.

E

Cambodia's celebrated elephant Sambo to retire soon

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - Photo taken on Nov. 25, 2014, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, shows the 54-year-old female elephant Sambo. Sambo, celebrated for having entertained children and tourists for over four decades in the capital, will be retired to a protected forest soon and allowed to live out the remainder of her life with other elephants.

E

Japan footballer Sawa commended for playing 300 matches

TOKYO, Japan - Veteran women's soccer midfielder Homare Sawa (R) of INAC Kobe Leonessa gets a bouquet of flowers along with a special prize for having competed in 300 matches in her career at a Nadeshiko League annual award ceremony at a Tokyo hotel on Nov. 25, 2014.

E

Police push demonstrators out of occupation site

HONG KONG, China - Police officers push pro-democracy demonstrators out of the Mongkok shopping district in Hong Kong, China, on Nov. 25, 2014, after removing barricades.

E

Police push demonstrators out of occupation site

HONG KONG, China - Police officers push pro-democracy demonstrators out of the Mongkok shopping district in Hong Kong, China, on Nov. 25, 2014, after removing barricades.

E

Mercedes-Benz Japan's 1st plug-in hybrid model

TOKYO, Japan - Mercedes-Benz Japan puts on sale its first plug-in model, the "S550 Plug-In Hybrid long" sedan, on Nov. 25, 2014. The car can be charged with household electricity.

E

400 say goodbye to ex-lower house speaker Doi

TOKYO, Japan - Former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama makes a speech under a picture of Takako Doi, a former speaker of Japan's House of Representatives and former chief of the Social Democratic Party, at a memorial ceremony for her in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2014. Around 400 said goodbye to Doi, who died of pneumonia on Sept. 20 at 85.

E

H.K. officials begin dismantling protest barricades

HONG KONG, China - Police officers keep guard on a road in the Mongkok shopping district of Hong Kong, China, on Nov. 25, 2014, after removing barricades placed by pro-democracy demonstrators. Clearance of pro-democracy demonstrators started the same day with dozens of court bailiffs moving in with the reported backing of thousands of police officers.

E

Ex-PM Murayama attends farewell service of Doi

TOKYO, Japan - Former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama attends a farewell service for Takako Doi, a former House of Representatives speaker and former chief of the Social Democratic Party, at the Parliamentary Museum in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2014. Doi died on Sept. 20 at 85.

E

400 say goodbye to ex-lower house speaker Doi

TOKYO, Japan - Attendees at a memorial ceremony for Takako Doi, a former speaker of Japan's House of Representatives and former chief of the Social Democratic Party, make a line to offer flowers to her picture in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2014. Around 400 said goodbye to Doi, who died of pneumonia on Sept. 20 at 85.