Illustration - Chateau Pavie

Illustration - Chateau Pavie

FRANCE, GIRONDE (33), SAINT EMILION, CHATEAU PAVIE, VINEYARDS PERSE, CUVIER AND NEW CHAI JUNE 2013, 1ER GRAND CRU CLASS A, AOC SAINT-EMILION Photo by Jean-Bernard Nadeau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Chateau Pavie

Illustration - Chateau Pavie

FRANCE, GIRONDE (33), SAINT EMILION, CHATEAU PAVIE, VINEYARDS PERSE, CUVIER AND NEW CHAI JUNE 2013, 1ER GRAND CRU CLASS A, AOC SAINT-EMILION Photo by Jean-Bernard Nadeau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Chateau Pavie

Illustration - Chateau Pavie

FRANCE, GIRONDE (33), SAINT EMILION, CHATEAU PAVIE, VINEYARDS PERSE, CUVIER AND NEW CHAI JUNE 2013, 1ER GRAND CRU CLASS A, AOC SAINT-EMILION Photo by Jean-Bernard Nadeau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Chateau Pavie

Illustration - Chateau Pavie

FRANCE, GIRONDE (33), SAINT EMILION, CHATEAU PAVIE, VINEYARDS PERSE, CUVIER AND NEW CHAI JUNE 2013, 1ER GRAND CRU CLASS A, AOC SAINT-EMILION Photo by Jean-Bernard Nadeau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Chateau Pavie

Illustration - Chateau Pavie

FRANCE, GIRONDE (33), SAINT EMILION, CHATEAU PAVIE, VINEYARDS PERSE, CUVIER AND NEW CHAI JUNE 2013, 1ER GRAND CRU CLASS A, AOC SAINT-EMILION Photo by Jean-Bernard Nadeau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Chateau Pavie

Illustration - Chateau Pavie

FRANCE, GIRONDE (33), SAINT EMILION, CHATEAU PAVIE, VINEYARDS PERSE, CUVIER AND NEW CHAI JUNE 2013, 1ER GRAND CRU CLASS A, AOC SAINT-EMILION Photo by Jean-Bernard Nadeau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

Bill with autographs of WW2 Japanese war criminals

Bill with autographs of WW2 Japanese war criminals

Photo taken in DeKalb, Illinois, in November 2024 shows a 100-yen bill with autographs believed to be those of Japanese war criminals, including Class-A war criminals executed for war crimes after World War II, such as Japan's former Prime Minister Gen. Hideki Tojo (1884-1948). The bill belonged to the late Donald Faivre, an Illinois farmer who served as a guard at Tokyo's Sugamo Prison, where such war criminals were held during the Allied occupation.

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

WUHU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 - Maintenance personnel carry out class A maintenance on the No. 3 generator unit of the underground building at the Xiangshuijian Pumped storage power Station of State Grid Xinyuan Group in Wuhu city, Anhui province, China, Sept 18, 2024.

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

WUHU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 - Maintenance personnel carry out class A maintenance on the No. 3 generator unit of the underground building at the Xiangshuijian Pumped storage power Station of State Grid Xinyuan Group in Wuhu city, Anhui province, China, Sept 18, 2024.

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

WUHU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 - Maintenance personnel carry out class A maintenance on the No. 3 generator unit of the underground building at the Xiangshuijian Pumped storage power Station of State Grid Xinyuan Group in Wuhu city, Anhui province, China, Sept 18, 2024.

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

WUHU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 - Maintenance personnel carry out class A maintenance on the No. 3 generator unit of the underground building at the Xiangshuijian Pumped storage power Station of State Grid Xinyuan Group in Wuhu city, Anhui province, China, Sept 18, 2024.

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

WUHU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 - Maintenance personnel carry out class A maintenance on the No. 3 generator unit of the underground building at the Xiangshuijian Pumped storage power Station of State Grid Xinyuan Group in Wuhu city, Anhui province, China, Sept 18, 2024.

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

WUHU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 - Maintenance personnel carry out class A maintenance on the No. 3 generator unit of the underground building at the Xiangshuijian Pumped storage power Station of State Grid Xinyuan Group in Wuhu city, Anhui province, China, Sept 18, 2024.

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

WUHU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 - Maintenance personnel carry out class A maintenance on the No. 3 generator unit of the underground building at the Xiangshuijian Pumped storage power Station of State Grid Xinyuan Group in Wuhu city, Anhui province, China, Sept 18, 2024.

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

WUHU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 - Maintenance personnel carry out class A maintenance on the No. 3 generator unit of the underground building at the Xiangshuijian Pumped storage power Station of State Grid Xinyuan Group in Wuhu city, Anhui province, China, Sept 18, 2024.

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

WUHU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 - Maintenance personnel carry out class A maintenance on the No. 3 generator unit of the underground building at the Xiangshuijian Pumped storage power Station of State Grid Xinyuan Group in Wuhu city, Anhui province, China, Sept 18, 2024.

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

WUHU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 - Maintenance personnel carry out class A maintenance on the No. 3 generator unit of the underground building at the Xiangshuijian Pumped storage power Station of State Grid Xinyuan Group in Wuhu city, Anhui province, China, Sept 18, 2024.

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

WUHU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 - Maintenance personnel carry out class A maintenance on the No. 3 generator unit of the underground building at the Xiangshuijian Pumped storage power Station of State Grid Xinyuan Group in Wuhu city, Anhui province, China, Sept 18, 2024.

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

WUHU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 - Maintenance personnel carry out class A maintenance on the No. 3 generator unit of the underground building at the Xiangshuijian Pumped storage power Station of State Grid Xinyuan Group in Wuhu city, Anhui province, China, Sept 18, 2024.

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

WUHU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 - Maintenance personnel carry out class A maintenance on the No. 3 generator unit of the underground building at the Xiangshuijian Pumped storage power Station of State Grid Xinyuan Group in Wuhu city, Anhui province, China, Sept 18, 2024.

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

WUHU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 - Maintenance personnel carry out class A maintenance on the No. 3 generator unit of the underground building at the Xiangshuijian Pumped storage power Station of State Grid Xinyuan Group in Wuhu city, Anhui province, China, Sept 18, 2024.

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

WUHU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 - Maintenance personnel carry out class A maintenance on the No. 3 generator unit of the underground building at the Xiangshuijian Pumped storage power Station of State Grid Xinyuan Group in Wuhu city, Anhui province, China, Sept 18, 2024.

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

WUHU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 - Maintenance personnel carry out class A maintenance on the No. 3 generator unit of the underground building at the Xiangshuijian Pumped storage power Station of State Grid Xinyuan Group in Wuhu city, Anhui province, China, Sept 18, 2024.

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

WUHU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 - Maintenance personnel carry out class A maintenance on the No. 3 generator unit of the underground building at the Xiangshuijian Pumped storage power Station of State Grid Xinyuan Group in Wuhu city, Anhui province, China, Sept 18, 2024.

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

Storage Power Station Maintenance in Wuhu

WUHU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 - Maintenance personnel carry out class A maintenance on the No. 3 generator unit of the underground building at the Xiangshuijian Pumped storage power Station of State Grid Xinyuan Group in Wuhu city, Anhui province, China, Sept 18, 2024.

Japan's former Prime Minister Gen. Hideki Tojo

Japan's former Prime Minister Gen. Hideki Tojo

Undated file photo shows Japan's former Prime Minister Gen. Hideki Tojo (1884-1948). Tojo served as prime minister between 1941 and 1944 during World War II, and was one of the 14 Class-A war criminals executed by hanging for crimes against peace.

Volkswagen Invests Xiaopeng Auto

Volkswagen Invests Xiaopeng Auto

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 27, 2023 - Photo taken on July 27, 2023 shows the logo of Xiaopeng in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province. On the same day, Xiaopeng Automobile shares soared, rising by more than 30%, and its share price successfully stood above 80 Hong Kong dollars at noon. It is understood that on the evening of July 26, Volkswagen Group announced that it signed A long-term cooperation technical framework agreement with Xopeng Automobile, and Volkswagen Group will increase capital to Xopeng Automobile by about $700 million, and acquire about 4.99% of XOPeng Automobile's equity at a price of $15 per ADS(American Depositary shares, each ADS represents two Class A ordinary shares).

Volkswagen Invests Xiaopeng Auto

Volkswagen Invests Xiaopeng Auto

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 27, 2023 - Photo taken on July 27, 2023 shows the logo of Volkswagen in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province. On the same day, Xiaopeng Automobile shares soared, rising by more than 30%, and its share price successfully stood above 80 Hong Kong dollars at noon. It is understood that on the evening of July 26, Volkswagen Group announced that it signed A long-term cooperation technical framework agreement with Xopeng Automobile, and Volkswagen Group will increase capital to Xopeng Automobile by about $700 million, and acquire about 4.99% of XOPeng Automobile's equity at a price of $15 per ADS(American Depositary shares, each ADS represents two Class A ordinary shares).

Volkswagen Invests Xiaopeng Auto

Volkswagen Invests Xiaopeng Auto

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 27, 2023 - Photo taken on July 27, 2023 shows the logo of Volkswagen in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province. On the same day, Xiaopeng Automobile shares soared, rising by more than 30%, and its share price successfully stood above 80 Hong Kong dollars at noon. It is understood that on the evening of July 26, Volkswagen Group announced that it signed A long-term cooperation technical framework agreement with Xopeng Automobile, and Volkswagen Group will increase capital to Xopeng Automobile by about $700 million, and acquire about 4.99% of XOPeng Automobile's equity at a price of $15 per ADS(American Depositary shares, each ADS represents two Class A ordinary shares).

Volkswagen Invests Xiaopeng Auto

Volkswagen Invests Xiaopeng Auto

HANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 27, 2023 - Citizens walk into a Xopeng auto store in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, July 27, 2023. On the same day, Xiaopeng Automobile shares soared, rising by more than 30%, and its share price successfully stood above 80 Hong Kong dollars at noon. It is understood that on the evening of July 26, Volkswagen Group announced that it signed A long-term cooperation technical framework agreement with Xopeng Automobile, and Volkswagen Group will increase capital to Xopeng Automobile by about $700 million, and acquire about 4.99% of XOPeng Automobile's equity at a price of $15 per ADS(American Depositary shares, each ADS represents two Class A ordinary shares).

Exploring venue for swimming events of World University Games

STORY: Exploring venue for swimming events of World University Games DATELINE: July 18, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:13 LOCATION: CHENGDU, China CATEGORY: SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of aerial photos of the Dong'an Lake Sports Park Aquatics Center 2. various of interior view of the Dong'an Lake Sports Park Aquatics Center 3. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) : BAI XUE, Deputy executive director, Dong'an Lake Sports Park Aquatics Center 4. various of interior view of the Dong'an Lake Sports Park Aquatics Center 5. various of aerial photos of the swimming center STORYLINE: The Dong'an Lake Sports Park Aquatics Center now stands ready for the upcoming Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games to hold swimming events. It is a large Class A aquatics center and covers a floor area of over 73,500 square meters, which contains a competition pool and a warm-up pool, both with 10 lanes and a water depth of two meters. Unlike a regular swimming venue, it has seats on both sides of the pool. It can accommodate 3,000 people in fixed seats an

China's school campuses resume liveliness as spring semester kicks off

STORY: China's school campuses resume liveliness as spring semester kicks off DATELINE: Feb. 13, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:32 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: EDUCATION/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of students and campuses 2. various of students in a classroom 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): WANG YANTIAN, Psychology teacher, Beijing Haidian District Experimental Primary School 4. various of students 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): ZHAO ZHIJUN, PE teacher 6. shot of students taking a PE class 7. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): LIU, Parent 8. shot of students at the school gate STORYLINE: About 300 million teachers and students are returning to school campuses across China, as the spring semester kicks off in a staggered manner in each provincial-level region. The new school term is the first semester after China downgraded its management of COVID-19 from Class A to Class B on Jan. 8. Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan on Feb. 6 urged efforts to optimize school management in accordance with the country's adjusted COVID-19 response and fully

China's outbound group travel services revive

STORY: China's outbound group travel services revive DATELINE: Feb. 11, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:46 LOCATION: SHANGHAI, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP (English): ZHANG MENGJIE, Xinhua correspondent 2. various of tourists at airports in Shanghai and Guangzhou 3. various of tourists arriving at Singapore STORYLINE: STANDUP (English): ZHANG MENGJIE, Xinhua correspondent "I'm in the Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Since China resumed outbound group travel to 20 countries, several overseas trips organized by local travel agencies in Shanghai started their happy journeys from here." China on Monday resumed outbound group travel to 20 countries, including Thailand, the Maldives, the United Arab Emirates, Russia and New Zealand. Group tours between the Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions also resumed. The move came after the country downgraded its management of COVID-19 from Class A to Class B on Jan. 8. It has been three years since the country suspended o

Xinhua Headlines: China delivers acclaimed performance in fighting once-in-a-century pandemic

Xinhua Headlines: China delivers acclaimed performance in fighting once-in-a-century pandemic

(230120) -- BEIJING, Jan. 20, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Dec. 27, 2022 shows a press conference held by the State Council joint prevention and control mechanism. On Dec. 26, China renamed novel coronavirus pneumonia as novel coronavirus infection and decided to downgrade its level of COVID-19 management from the current Class A to a less strict Class B, starting from Jan. 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)

TUNISIA-TOURISM-CHINESE TOURISTS

TUNISIA-TOURISM-CHINESE TOURISTS

(230112) -- TUNIS, Jan. 12, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People visit the Medina of Tunis, Tunisia, on Jan. 9, 2023. China's move to downgrade the management of COVID-19 from Class A to Class B starting from Jan. 8 has excited governmental officials and tourism industry players in the Middle East, who are gearing up to welcome back Chinese tourists absent for three years due to the pandemic. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)

TUNISIA-TOURISM-CHINESE TOURISTS

TUNISIA-TOURISM-CHINESE TOURISTS

(230112) -- TUNIS, Jan. 12, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Jan. 5, 2023 shows a view of a street in Tunis, Tunisia. China's move to downgrade the management of COVID-19 from Class A to Class B starting from Jan. 8 has excited governmental officials and tourism industry players in the Middle East, who are gearing up to welcome back Chinese tourists absent for three years due to the pandemic. (Xinhua/Xu Supei)

TUNISIA-TOURISM-CHINESE TOURISTS

TUNISIA-TOURISM-CHINESE TOURISTS

(230112) -- TUNIS, Jan. 12, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People enjoy their time in the Medina of Tunis, Tunisia, on Jan. 5, 2023. China's move to downgrade the management of COVID-19 from Class A to Class B starting from Jan. 8 has excited governmental officials and tourism industry players in the Middle East, who are gearing up to welcome back Chinese tourists absent for three years due to the pandemic. (Xinhua/Xu Supei)

Land ports of entry resume passenger services in China's Guangxi, Yunnan

STORY: Land ports of entry resume passenger services in China's Guangxi, Yunnan DATELINE: Jan. 9, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:15 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: SOCIETY/ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of land border ports in Yunnan 2. various of border port of Dongxing 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): Vietnamese traveler 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): MR. AI, Outbound visitor STORYLINE: Land border ports of entry fully reopened to international travelers in China's Guangxi and Yunnan, as the country downgraded its management of COVID-19. China now manages COVID-19 with measures against Class B infectious diseases, instead of Class A infectious diseases, in a major shift of its epidemic response policy. The COVID management downgrade is expected to facilitate the smooth and orderly cross-border travel of Chinese and foreign nationals. In Guangxi, the land port of Dongxing on China's border with Vietnam saw many inbound travelers on Sunday, many of who were returning home ahead of the Chinese New Year. In Yunnan, land ports of Heko

China's COVID response shift reduces virus impact on society: experts, expats

STORY: China's COVID response shift reduces virus impact on society: experts, expats DATELINE: Jan. 8, 2023 LENGTH: 0:02:24 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: HEALTH SHOTLIST: 1. various of Chinese cities 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): LAWRENCE LOH, Director of the Center for Governance and Sustainability, National University of Singapore 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): TUNC AKKOC, Editor-in-chief of Harici Media, Türkiye 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): DYLAN AUSTIN WALKER, American living in China 5. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): NIGEL DIXON, British actor living in China's Wuhan 6. various of Chinese hospitals, pharmaceutical enterprises STORYLINE: China has taken the initiative to refine its COVID response measures. It adopted 20 refined measures and 10 new measures and issued steps to treat COVID-19 as a Class-B instead of Class-A infectious disease. Experts and expats living in China say by shifting the response focus from stemming infection to preventing severe cases and caring for people's health, the optimized measures will red

CHINA-SHANGHAI-COVID-19-INBOUND PASSENGERS (CN)

CHINA-SHANGHAI-COVID-19-INBOUND PASSENGERS (CN)

(230108) -- SHANGHAI, Jan. 8, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Passengers go through entry procedures at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in east China's Shanghai, Jan. 8, 2023. From Sunday, China starts managing COVID-19 with measures designed for combating Class B infectious diseases, instead of Class A infectious diseases. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

CHINA-SHANGHAI-COVID-19-INBOUND PASSENGERS (CN)

CHINA-SHANGHAI-COVID-19-INBOUND PASSENGERS (CN)

(230108) -- SHANGHAI, Jan. 8, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A staff member of the customs of Shanghai Pudong International Airport checks the information of an inbound passenger in east China's Shanghai, Jan. 8, 2023. From Sunday, China starts managing COVID-19 with measures designed for combating Class B infectious diseases, instead of Class A infectious diseases. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

CHINA-SHANGHAI-COVID-19-INBOUND PASSENGERS (CN)

CHINA-SHANGHAI-COVID-19-INBOUND PASSENGERS (CN)

(230108) -- SHANGHAI, Jan. 8, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Passengers queue up to go through entry procedures at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in east China's Shanghai, Jan. 8, 2023. From Sunday, China starts managing COVID-19 with measures designed for combating Class B infectious diseases, instead of Class A infectious diseases. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

CHINA-SHANGHAI-COVID-19-INBOUND PASSENGERS (CN)

CHINA-SHANGHAI-COVID-19-INBOUND PASSENGERS (CN)

(230108) -- SHANGHAI, Jan. 8, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Inbound passengers arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in east China's Shanghai, Jan. 8, 2023. From Sunday, China starts managing COVID-19 with measures designed for combating Class B infectious diseases, instead of Class A infectious diseases. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

CHINA-SHANGHAI-COVID-19-INBOUND PASSENGERS (CN)

CHINA-SHANGHAI-COVID-19-INBOUND PASSENGERS (CN)

(230108) -- SHANGHAI, Jan. 8, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Passengers queue up to go through entry procedures at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in east China's Shanghai, Jan. 8, 2023. From Sunday, China starts managing COVID-19 with measures designed for combating Class B infectious diseases, instead of Class A infectious diseases. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

CHINA-SHANGHAI-COVID-19-INBOUND PASSENGERS (CN)

CHINA-SHANGHAI-COVID-19-INBOUND PASSENGERS (CN)

(230108) -- SHANGHAI, Jan. 8, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Inbound passengers arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in east China's Shanghai, Jan. 8, 2023. From Sunday, China starts managing COVID-19 with measures designed for combating Class B infectious diseases, instead of Class A infectious diseases. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

Tokyo Gov. Masuzoe meets with Chinese vice premier in Beijing

Tokyo Gov. Masuzoe meets with Chinese vice premier in Beijing

BEIJING, China - Tokyo Gov. Yoichi Masuzoe speaks at a press conference in Beijing on April 26, 2014, after talks with Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang. Masuzoe said Wang criticized Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his official visit to Yasukuni Shrine, where Class-A war criminals are enshrined. (Kyodo News)

Tokyo Gov. Masuzoe meets with Chinese vice premier in Beijing

Tokyo Gov. Masuzoe meets with Chinese vice premier in Beijing

BEIJING, China - Visiting Tokyo Gov. Yoichi Masuzoe (L) and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang shake hands in Beijing on April 26, 2014, prior to their talks. After the talks, Masuzoe said Wang criticized Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his official visit to Yasukuni Shrine, where Class-A war criminals are enshrined. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

Tokyo Gov. Masuzoe meets with Chinese vice premier in Beijing

Tokyo Gov. Masuzoe meets with Chinese vice premier in Beijing

BEIJING, China - Visiting Tokyo Gov. Yoichi Masuzoe (L) meets with Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang in Beijing on April 26, 2014. After the meeting, Masuzoe said Wang criticized Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his official visit to Yasukuni Shrine, where Class-A war criminals are enshrined. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

Former N.Y. Yankee Matsui holds autograph session

Former N.Y. Yankee Matsui holds autograph session

NEW YORK, United States - Former New York Yankee Hideki Matsui of Japan holds an autograph session on the sidelines of a game by the Major League baseball club's Class A team in New York on April 12, 2014.

PM Abe visits Yasukuni Shrine

PM Abe visits Yasukuni Shrine

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C) speaks with reporters after paying homage at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on Dec. 26, 2013. The visit to the Shinto shrine that honors Class-A World War II criminals along with Japan's war-dead was the first by an incumbent premier in seven years. (Pool photo)