Bangladesh's sea-land oil storage, transportation system operational

STORY: Bangladesh's sea-land oil storage, transportation system operational SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 7, 2023/March 16, 2024 DATELINE: March 19, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:22 LOCATION: Dhaka CATEGORY: ECONOMY/POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the sea-land integrated oil storage and transportation system 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MD SHARIF HASNAT, Deputy general manager of Eastern Refinery Limited 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): SUN BIJUN, Project manager STORYLINE: Bangladesh's first sea-land integrated oil storage and transportation system has been put into commercial operation. The project started in 2019 and was completed in November 2023, with preferential loans provided by the Chinese government, financed by the Export-Import Bank of China and undertaken by China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co., Ltd. The project will shorten oil unloading and transportation time for 100,000-ton oil tankers from 11 days to about 48 hours, saving the country 128 million U.S. dollars in crude oil transportation every year. SOUNDBITE

World's first Zootopia land opens at Shanghai Disney Resort

STORY: World's first Zootopia land opens at Shanghai Disney Resort SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 19-20, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 20, 2023 LENGTH: 0:00:26 LOCATION: SHANGHAI, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Shanghai Disney Resort STORYLINE: Shanghai Disney Resort on Tuesday opened the world's first Zootopia land as The Walt Disney Company looks to further tap the growing Chinese travel market. The new themed land, based on the hugely successful Walt Disney Animation Studios film "Zootopia," will officially open to the public on Wednesday, Shanghai Disney Resort announced. Zootopia, the eighth themed land inside Shanghai Disneyland, marks the second major expansion of Shanghai Disney Resort. Its construction started in December 2019. Shanghai Disney Resort opened with six themed lands on June 16, 2016. Its seventh land and first major expansion, Disney Pixar Toy Story Land, opened in 2018, which made Shanghai Disneyland the fastest-expanding Disneyland worldwide. Xinhua News Agency correspond

XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

(231218) -- BEIJING, Dec. 18, 2023 (Xinhua) -- The new golden rooster containing relics saved from the April 15, 2019 cathedral fire is lifted by crane to be installed atop the spire of Notre Dame cathedral as part of its reconstruction, in Paris, France, Dec. 16, 2023. (Photo by Rit Heize/Xinhua)

FRANCE-PARIS-NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL-GOLDEN ROOSTER-INSTALLATION

FRANCE-PARIS-NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL-GOLDEN ROOSTER-INSTALLATION

(231217) -- PARIS, Dec. 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- The new golden rooster containing relics saved from the April 15, 2019 cathedral fire is lifted by crane to be installed atop the spire of Notre Dame cathedral as part of its reconstruction, in Paris, France, Dec. 16, 2023. (Photo by Rit Heize/Xinhua)

FRANCE-PARIS-NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL-GOLDEN ROOSTER-INSTALLATION

FRANCE-PARIS-NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL-GOLDEN ROOSTER-INSTALLATION

(231217) -- PARIS, Dec. 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- The new golden rooster containing relics saved from the April 15, 2019 cathedral fire is lifted by crane to be installed atop the spire of Notre Dame cathedral as part of its reconstruction, in Paris, France, Dec. 16, 2023. (Photo by Rit Heize/Xinhua)

FRANCE-PARIS-NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL-GOLDEN ROOSTER-INSTALLATION

FRANCE-PARIS-NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL-GOLDEN ROOSTER-INSTALLATION

(231217) -- PARIS, Dec. 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- The new golden rooster containing relics saved from the April 15, 2019 cathedral fire is lifted by crane to be installed atop the spire of Notre Dame cathedral as part of its reconstruction, in Paris, France, Dec. 16, 2023. (Photo by Rit Heize/Xinhua)

FRANCE-PARIS-NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL-GOLDEN ROOSTER-INSTALLATION

FRANCE-PARIS-NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL-GOLDEN ROOSTER-INSTALLATION

(231217) -- PARIS, Dec. 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- The new golden rooster containing relics saved from the April 15, 2019 cathedral fire is lifted by crane to be installed atop the spire of Notre Dame cathedral as part of its reconstruction, in Paris, France, Dec. 16, 2023. (Photo by Rit Heize/Xinhua)

FRANCE-PARIS-NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL-GOLDEN ROOSTER-INSTALLATION

FRANCE-PARIS-NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL-GOLDEN ROOSTER-INSTALLATION

(231217) -- PARIS, Dec. 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- The new golden rooster containing relics saved from the April 15, 2019 cathedral fire is lifted by crane to be installed atop the spire of Notre Dame cathedral as part of its reconstruction, in Paris, France, Dec. 16, 2023. (Photo by Rit Heize/Xinhua)

Snow Scenery in Nanjing

Snow Scenery in Nanjing

NANJING, CHINA - DECEMBER 16, 2023 - Tourists enjoy the snow at the Confucius Temple scenic spot in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu province, Dec. 16, 2023, 2019.

World's first Zootopia land begins trial operation at Shanghai Disney Resort

STORY: World's first Zootopia land begins trial operation at Shanghai Disney Resort SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 30, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 1, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:11 LOCATION: SHANGHAI, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Zootopia land STORYLINE: The world's first Zootopia land, scheduled to open to the public starting from Dec. 20 at Shanghai Disney Resort, has kicked off trial operation, the resort said Wednesday. The new themed land was open to the media for the first time on Wednesday. It is based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios movie "Zootopia" and will become the eighth themed land in Shanghai Disneyland. According to the resort, the Zootopia land's construction began in December 2019, and it involves many latest original design concepts from the international Disney engineering team. Shanghai Disney Resort opened with six themed lands on June 16, 2016. Its seventh land, Disney Pixar Toy Story Land, opened in 2018, making Shanghai Disneyland the fastest-expanding Disneyland in the world. I

Xinhua Headlines: China's ancient symbols light up upcoming World University Games

Xinhua Headlines: China's ancient symbols light up upcoming World University Games

(230716) -- CHENGDU, July 16, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This aerial photo taken on Dec. 31, 2019 shows the Sun and Immortal Bird Gold Ornament on a observation deck of Longquanshan Forest Park in Chengdu of southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Photo by Hu Datian/Xinhua)

Christmas market in Beirut ends in celebration

STORY: Christmas market in Beirut ends in celebration DATELINE: Dec. 25, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:11 LOCATION: Beirut CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Christmas market in Beirut STORYLINE: A festive celebration named "Christmas in Action" has come to an end in Friday in Beirut. From December 16 to 23, thousands of people flocked to the event everyday which boasted the "biggest" Christmas market in Lebanon's history. The area of more than 10,000 square meter was filled with Christmas parades, shows and decoration. The organizer said the event was to give everyone an opportunity to experience the holiday spirit, regardless of all the challenges they are facing in Lebanon. Since 2019, Lebanon has been suffering from the worst financial crisis in its history, leading to high unemployment and inflation rates as well as a sharp depreciation of the local currency, which pushed around 80 percent of the population into poverty. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beirut. (XHTV)

Japan-S. Korea talks on export controls

Japan-S. Korea talks on export controls

TOKYO, Japan, Dec. 17 Kyodo - Japanese trade minister Hiroshi Kajiyama meets the press in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2019, commenting on a director general-level meeting held earlier in the day between Japan and South Korea to discuss their export control systems. The meeting focused on Tokyo's decision in July 2019 to place stricter regulations on exporting some materials needed to manufacture semiconductors and display panels to South Korea, dealing a blow to its world-leading high tech industry.

8th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's death

8th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's death

PYONGYANG, North Korea, Dec. 17 Kyodo - People offer flowers at Mansu Hill in Pyongyang on Dec. 16, 2019, on the eve of the eighth anniversary of the death of former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.

8th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's death

8th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's death

PYONGYANG, North Korea, Dec. 17 Kyodo - People visit Mansu Hill in Pyongyang, where bronze statues of North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung (L) and former leader Kim Jong Il stand, on Dec. 16, 2019, the eve of the eighth anniversary of the latter's death.

KENYA-MOMBASA-NAIROBI-RAILWAY-FREIGHT SERVICE

KENYA-MOMBASA-NAIROBI-RAILWAY-FREIGHT SERVICE

(220705) -- NAIROBI, July 5, 2022 (Xinhua) -- The first freight train of the Nairobi-Naivasha Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) arrives at the Naivasha Inland Container Depot in Kenya, on Dec. 17, 2019. The 120km Nairobi-Naivasha railway is an extension of the Chinese-built modern railway that connects Kenya's coastal port city Mombasa to the capital Nairobi. The Mombasa-Nairobi SGR, mainly financed by China and constructed by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), which began construction in 2014 and finished in 2017. According to data from Afristar, the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) has transported more than 1.7 million TEUs of containers in the last five years. In addition, the Mombasa-Nairobi SGR runs 16 freight trains daily. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

(220108) -- BEIJING, Jan. 8, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Wu Yifan poses for photos at Taizicheng Railway Station in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, on Dec. 30, 2021. Wu Yifan, 26, is a conductor of the Xuezhimeng (snow dream) crew team on a tailor-made bullet train along the high-speed railway linking Beijing and Zhangjiakou, the co-host city of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. The Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway went into operation on Dec. 30, 2019, to facilitate inter-city traffic and the commute between Olympic venues. It will provide commuter services for the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games from Jan. 21 to March 16. Wu Yifan joined the "Snow Dream" crew on March 1, 2020 when the crew was officially established. In addition to daily crew services, she also provides foreign language interpretation services. In the days working along the Beijing-Zhangj.....

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

(220108) -- BEIJING, Jan. 8, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Wu Yifan (L) waits passengers to board the train G8811 at Beijing North Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, on Dec. 30, 2021. Wu Yifan, 26, is a conductor of the Xuezhimeng (snow dream) crew team on a tailor-made bullet train along the high-speed railway linking Beijing and Zhangjiakou, the co-host city of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. The Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway went into operation on Dec. 30, 2019, to facilitate inter-city traffic and the commute between Olympic venues. It will provide commuter services for the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games from Jan. 21 to March 16. Wu Yifan joined the "Snow Dream" crew on March 1, 2020 when the crew was officially established. In addition to daily crew services, she also provides foreign language interpretation services. In the days working along th.....

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

(220108) -- BEIJING, Jan. 8, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Wu Yifan (R) takes selfies with a passenger on train G8811 on Dec. 30, 2021. Wu Yifan, 26, is a conductor of the Xuezhimeng (snow dream) crew team on a tailor-made bullet train along the high-speed railway linking Beijing and Zhangjiakou, the co-host city of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. The Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway went into operation on Dec. 30, 2019, to facilitate inter-city traffic and the commute between Olympic venues. It will provide commuter services for the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games from Jan. 21 to March 16. Wu Yifan joined the "Snow Dream" crew on March 1, 2020 when the crew was officially established. In addition to daily crew services, she also provides foreign language interpretation services. In the days working along the Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway, Wu Yifan has prov.....

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

(220108) -- BEIJING, Jan. 8, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Wu Yifan (2nd L) receives interview on the train G8811 on Dec. 30, 2021. Wu Yifan, 26, is a conductor of the Xuezhimeng (snow dream) crew team on a tailor-made bullet train along the high-speed railway linking Beijing and Zhangjiakou, the co-host city of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. The Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway went into operation on Dec. 30, 2019, to facilitate inter-city traffic and the commute between Olympic venues. It will provide commuter services for the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games from Jan. 21 to March 16. Wu Yifan joined the "Snow Dream" crew on March 1, 2020 when the crew was officially established. In addition to daily crew services, she also provides foreign language interpretation services. In the days working along the Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway, Wu Yifan has provided.....

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

(220108) -- BEIJING, Jan. 8, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Wu Yifan (R) talks to a foreign passenger on the train G8811 on Dec. 30, 2021. Wu Yifan, 26, is a conductor of the Xuezhimeng (snow dream) crew team on a tailor-made bullet train along the high-speed railway linking Beijing and Zhangjiakou, the co-host city of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. The Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway went into operation on Dec. 30, 2019, to facilitate inter-city traffic and the commute between Olympic venues. It will provide commuter services for the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games from Jan. 21 to March 16. Wu Yifan joined the "Snow Dream" crew on March 1, 2020 when the crew was officially established. In addition to daily crew services, she also provides foreign language interpretation services. In the days working along the Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway, Wu Yifan has pr.....

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

(220108) -- BEIJING, Jan. 8, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Wu Yifan sets out to work outside her dormitory building on Dec. 30, 2021. Wu Yifan, 26, is a conductor of the Xuezhimeng (snow dream) crew team on a tailor-made bullet train along the high-speed railway linking Beijing and Zhangjiakou, the co-host city of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. The Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway went into operation on Dec. 30, 2019, to facilitate inter-city traffic and the commute between Olympic venues. It will provide commuter services for the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games from Jan. 21 to March 16. Wu Yifan joined the "Snow Dream" crew on March 1, 2020 when the crew was officially established. In addition to daily crew services, she also provides foreign language interpretation services. In the days working along the Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway, Wu Yifan has provid.....

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

(220108) -- BEIJING, Jan. 8, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Wu Yifan walks to the bathroom at her dormitory building on Dec. 30, 2021. Wu Yifan, 26, is a conductor of the Xuezhimeng (snow dream) crew team on a tailor-made bullet train along the high-speed railway linking Beijing and Zhangjiakou, the co-host city of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. The Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway went into operation on Dec. 30, 2019, to facilitate inter-city traffic and the commute between Olympic venues. It will provide commuter services for the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games from Jan. 21 to March 16. Wu Yifan joined the "Snow Dream" crew on March 1, 2020 when the crew was officially established. In addition to daily crew services, she also provides foreign language interpretation services. In the days working along the Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway, Wu Yifan has provid.....

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

(220108) -- BEIJING, Jan. 8, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Wu Yifan puts on make-ups at her dormitory on Dec. 30, 2021. Wu Yifan, 26, is a conductor of the Xuezhimeng (snow dream) crew team on a tailor-made bullet train along the high-speed railway linking Beijing and Zhangjiakou, the co-host city of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. The Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway went into operation on Dec. 30, 2019, to facilitate inter-city traffic and the commute between Olympic venues. It will provide commuter services for the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games from Jan. 21 to March 16. Wu Yifan joined the "Snow Dream" crew on March 1, 2020 when the crew was officially established. In addition to daily crew services, she also provides foreign language interpretation services. In the days working along the Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway, Wu Yifan has provided more than 3.....

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

(220108) -- BEIJING, Jan. 8, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Wu Yifan packs the luggage at her dormitory on Dec. 30, 2021. Wu Yifan, 26, is a conductor of the Xuezhimeng (snow dream) crew team on a tailor-made bullet train along the high-speed railway linking Beijing and Zhangjiakou, the co-host city of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. The Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway went into operation on Dec. 30, 2019, to facilitate inter-city traffic and the commute between Olympic venues. It will provide commuter services for the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games from Jan. 21 to March 16. Wu Yifan joined the "Snow Dream" crew on March 1, 2020 when the crew was officially established. In addition to daily crew services, she also provides foreign language interpretation services. In the days working along the Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway, Wu Yifan has provided more than .....

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

(220108) -- BEIJING, Jan. 8, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Wu Yifan (2nd R) heads to the railway platform with her colleagues at Beijing North Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, on Dec. 30, 2021. Wu Yifan, 26, is a conductor of the Xuezhimeng (snow dream) crew team on a tailor-made bullet train along the high-speed railway linking Beijing and Zhangjiakou, the co-host city of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. The Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway went into operation on Dec. 30, 2019, to facilitate inter-city traffic and the commute between Olympic venues. It will provide commuter services for the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games from Jan. 21 to March 16. Wu Yifan joined the "Snow Dream" crew on March 1, 2020 when the crew was officially established. In addition to daily crew services, she also provides foreign language interpretation services. In the days work.....

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

(220108) -- BEIJING, Jan. 8, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Wu Yifan arranges the luggage on the train G8811 on Dec. 30, 2021. Wu Yifan, 26, is a conductor of the Xuezhimeng (snow dream) crew team on a tailor-made bullet train along the high-speed railway linking Beijing and Zhangjiakou, the co-host city of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. The Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway went into operation on Dec. 30, 2019, to facilitate inter-city traffic and the commute between Olympic venues. It will provide commuter services for the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games from Jan. 21 to March 16. Wu Yifan joined the "Snow Dream" crew on March 1, 2020 when the crew was officially established. In addition to daily crew services, she also provides foreign language interpretation services. In the days working along the Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway, Wu Yifan has provided more .....

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

(220108) -- BEIJING, Jan. 8, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Wu Yifan changes the count-down board of the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games outside her dormitory on Dec. 30, 2021. Wu Yifan, 26, is a conductor of the Xuezhimeng (snow dream) crew team on a tailor-made bullet train along the high-speed railway linking Beijing and Zhangjiakou, the co-host city of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. The Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway went into operation on Dec. 30, 2019, to facilitate inter-city traffic and the commute between Olympic venues. It will provide commuter services for the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games from Jan. 21 to March 16. Wu Yifan joined the "Snow Dream" crew on March 1, 2020 when the crew was officially established. In addition to daily crew services, she also provides foreign language interpretation services. In the days working along the Beijing-Zhangji.....

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

CHINA-BEIJING-RAILWAY CREW (CN)

(220108) -- BEIJING, Jan. 8, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Wu Yifan prepares to set out for work at her dormitory on Dec. 30, 2021. Wu Yifan, 26, is a conductor of the Xuezhimeng (snow dream) crew team on a tailor-made bullet train along the high-speed railway linking Beijing and Zhangjiakou, the co-host city of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. The Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway went into operation on Dec. 30, 2019, to facilitate inter-city traffic and the commute between Olympic venues. It will provide commuter services for the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games from Jan. 21 to March 16. Wu Yifan joined the "Snow Dream" crew on March 1, 2020 when the crew was officially established. In addition to daily crew services, she also provides foreign language interpretation services. In the days working along the Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway, Wu Yifan has provided.....

CORRECTED: Japan-S. Korea talks on export controls

CORRECTED: Japan-S. Korea talks on export controls

Japanese trade minister Hiroshi Kajiyama meets the press in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2019, commenting on a director general-level meeting held earlier in the day between Japan and South Korea to discuss their export control systems. The meeting focused on Tokyo's decision in July 2019 to place stricter regulations on exporting some materials needed to manufacture semiconductors and display panels to South Korea, dealing a blow to its world-leading high tech industry. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

CORRECTED: 8th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's death

CORRECTED: 8th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's death

People visit Mansu Hill in Pyongyang, where bronze statues of North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung (L) and former leader Kim Jong Il stand, on Dec. 16, 2019, the eve of the eighth anniversary of the latter's death. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

CORRECTED: 8th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's death

CORRECTED: 8th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's death

People offer flowers at Mansu Hill in Pyongyang on Dec. 16, 2019, on the eve of the eighth anniversary of the death of former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

New station under construction in Osaka

New station under construction in Osaka

Photo taken Dec. 16, 2019, shows the construction site of a station north of Osaka Station in western Japan. Around 40 percent of the construction has been completed, with the station scheduled to open in the spring of 2023. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

New Year glassware

New Year glassware

Photo taken at a workshop in Sapporo, northern Japan, on Dec. 16, 2019, shows glassware resembling "kagami mochi" rice cakes that are often displayed during New Year in Japan. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

New head of Japan's LDP Suga

New head of Japan's LDP Suga

Photo taken Dec. 12, 2019, shows Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga attending a press conference in Tokyo. Suga won the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election on Sept. 14, 2020, and is set to be appointed prime minister by parliament on Sept. 16.

Ocean life off central Japan

Ocean life off central Japan

A hawksbill turtle swims in the Pacific off Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on Dec. 16, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Ocean life off central Japan

Ocean life off central Japan

A fire goby swims in the Pacific off Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on Dec. 16, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Ocean life off central Japan

Ocean life off central Japan

A Starck's demoiselle swims in the Pacific off Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on Dec. 16, 2019.(Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan #MeToo case

Japan #MeToo case

Japanese journalist Shiori Ito gives an interview in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2019. Two days later, the Tokyo District Court ordered Noriyuki Yamaguchi, a former Washington bureau chief of a television broadcaster, to pay 3.3 million yen ($30,000) in damages for raping Ito, seen as a symbol of the "#MeToo" movement in Japan, where few sexual assault victims come forward. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan #MeToo case

Japan #MeToo case

Japanese journalist Shiori Ito gives an interview in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2019. Two days later, the Tokyo District Court ordered Noriyuki Yamaguchi, a former Washington bureau chief of a television broadcaster, to pay 3.3 million yen ($30,000) in damages for raping Ito, seen as a symbol of the "#MeToo" movement in Japan, where few sexual assault victims come forward. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan #MeToo case

Japan #MeToo case

Japanese journalist Shiori Ito gives an interview in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2019. Two days later, the Tokyo District Court ordered Noriyuki Yamaguchi, a former Washington bureau chief of a television broadcaster, to pay 3.3 million yen ($30,000) in damages for raping Ito, seen as a symbol of the "#MeToo" movement in Japan, where few sexual assault victims come forward. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan #MeToo case

Japan #MeToo case

Japanese journalist Shiori Ito gives an interview in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2019. Two days later, the Tokyo District Court ordered Noriyuki Yamaguchi, a former Washington bureau chief of a television broadcaster, to pay 3.3 million yen ($30,000) in damages for raping Ito, seen as a symbol of the "#MeToo" movement in Japan, where few sexual assault victims come forward. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan #MeToo case

Japan #MeToo case

Japanese journalist Shiori Ito gives an interview in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2019. Two days later, the Tokyo District Court ordered Noriyuki Yamaguchi, a former Washington bureau chief of a television broadcaster, to pay 3.3 million yen ($30,000) in damages for raping Ito, seen as a symbol of the "#MeToo" movement in Japan, where few sexual assault victims come forward. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan #MeToo case

Japan #MeToo case

Photo taken Dec. 16, 2019, in Tokyo shows Japanese journalist Shiori Ito. Two days later, the Tokyo District Court ordered Noriyuki Yamaguchi, a former Washington bureau chief of a television broadcaster, to pay 3.3 million yen ($30,000) in damages for raping Ito, seen as a symbol of the "#MeToo" movement in Japan, where few sexual assault victims come forward. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Restaurant train in southwestern Japan

Restaurant train in southwestern Japan

Photo taken Dec. 16, 2019, in Tsukushino, Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, shows Japanese cuisine and sake served in "The Rail Kitchen Chikugo," a restaurant train operated by Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Restaurant train in southwestern Japan

Restaurant train in southwestern Japan

Photo taken Dec. 16, 2019, in Tsukushino, Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, shows Japanese cuisine and sake served in "The Rail Kitchen Chikugo," a restaurant train operated by Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Matsushima Bay in northeastern Japan

Matsushima Bay in northeastern Japan

File photo taken Dec. 16, 2019, shows sightseeing boats and islands in Matsushima Bay, known as one of Japan's three most scenic views, off Miyagi Prefecture. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Matsushima Bay in northeastern Japan

Matsushima Bay in northeastern Japan

File photo taken Dec. 16, 2019, shows a sightseeing boat and islands in Matsushima Bay, known as one of Japan's three most scenic views, off Miyagi Prefecture. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Matsushima Bay in northeastern Japan

Matsushima Bay in northeastern Japan

File photo taken Dec. 16, 2019, shows a sightseeing boat in Matsushima Bay, known as one of Japan's three most scenic views, off Miyagi Prefecture. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Matsushima Bay in northeastern Japan

Matsushima Bay in northeastern Japan

File photo taken Dec. 16, 2019, shows a sightseeing boat in Matsushima Bay, known as one of Japan's three most scenic views, off Miyagi Prefecture. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo