Cosplayer distributes flyers at Comic Market

Cosplayer distributes flyers at Comic Market

TOKYO, Japan - A male costume role player distributes flyers during the Comic Market event at the Tokyo Big Sight on Aug. 14, 2009.

Participants carry bags with anime, game characters

Participants carry bags with anime, game characters

TOKYO, Japan - Participants in the Comic Market are seen carrying paper bags bearing images of various characters in animated films and games at the Tokyo Big Sight on Aug. 14, 2009. People carrying such bags are also commonly seen at other similar events in Japan.

Political comics displayed at Comic Market

Political comics displayed at Comic Market

TOKYO, Japan - Comics on politics themes are seen displayed among other magazines during the Comic Market event at the Tokyo Big Sight on Aug. 14, 2009. Men who resemble Prime Minister Taro Aso and his rival Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama can be seen on the cover of a comic titled ''200Q: Kokkai Komedi (Parliament Comedy) 2009.''

Manga, game fans gather at site of Comic Market

Manga, game fans gather at site of Comic Market

TOKYO, Japan - Manga and game fans are seen gathering at the Tokyo Big Sight hall for the Comic Market in Tokyo's Koto Ward on Aug. 14, 2009, the first day of the event. The event drew some 560,000 people, including exhibitors and visitors, a record high since it began in 1975.

Panoramic simulator at Haneda airport

Panoramic simulator at Haneda airport

TOKYO, Japan - Air traffic controllers receive training on using a new simulator equipped with a 360-degree panoramic projector at Tokyo's Haneda airport on Aug. 14, 2009, ahead of the completion next year of a fourth runway and a new 116-meter-high control tower. The 17 color panels on the 1 billion yen simulator can display weather changes and images of airplanes complete with airline tail logos to aid air traffic controllers in smoothly guiding aircraft at the gateway to Tokyo.