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KDDI to enter low-cost smartphone market

TOKYO, Japan - This smartphone is one of the two models of low-priced smartphones to be sold from Dec. 18, 2014, by KDDI Value Enabler Corp., a mobile virtual network operator of KDDI Corp. The move marks the first attempt by a major telecom firm to enter the low-priced segment of the Japanese smartphone market on a full scale.

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Player mimics seal at int'l friendly soccer game

DHAKA, Bangladesh - A player demonstrates his ball control skills on top of the crossbar during a halftime show at an international friendly match between Japan's U-21 team and Bangladesh's national squad in Dhaka on Dec. 18, 2014. (Photo by Nozomu Endo)

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Woman publishes free tabloid on comic storytelling

OSAKA, Japan - Mie Hidaka, publisher of a free tabloid on "rakugo" Japanese comic storytelling in Osaka, western Japan, and its vicinity, shows off a copy as seen in this file photo taken on Dec. 18, 2014. Hidaka and her colleagues published the 100th issue in the month.

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Tourist enjoys steam cooking at hot spring resort

OITA, Japan - Chikashi Noguchi, a tourist from Kobe, western Japan, tries out the unique "jigokumushi" (literally hell steaming) method of cooking that uses hot spring steam in Beppu, a popular spa resort in Oita Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 18, 2014. The Beppu city government is helping its sister city Rotorua, also a hot spring resort in New Zealand, set up a similar cooking facility.

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Tokyo Tower still popular after ending relay role

TOKYO, Japan - The Tokyo Tower is seen from the newly named Tokyo Tower street leading up to it in the Japanese capital on Dec. 18, 2014. The tower, designated as a national cultural property in June 2013, remains a popular sightseeing spot, drawing some 2 million visitors annually to its observatory deck, even after ceding its role as a radiowave transmission tower to Tokyo Skytree in 2012.

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Medieval folding-screen painting re-created with brocade

KYOTO, Japan - A "Nishijin-ori" brocade version of the "Fujin Raijin" (Wind and Thunder Gods) painting drawn on a folding screen by Tawaraya Sotatsu in the Edo period (1603-1867) is displayed in Kyoto, western Japan, on Dec. 18, 2014. Nishijin-ori craftsmen spent seven years to complete the work using traditional weaving skills.

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Craftsmen re-create folding-screen painting with brocade

KYOTO, Japan - Two pieces of "Nishijin-ori" brocade made to re-create the "Fujin Raijin" (Wind and Thunder Gods) painting drawn on a folding screen by Tawaraya Sotatsu in the Edo period (1603-1867) are displayed in Kyoto, western Japan, on Dec. 18, 2014. Using traditional Nishijin-ori weaving skills, craftsmen spent seven years to complete the work.

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Site of 1921 assassination of PM Hara at Tokyo Station

TOKYO, Japan - The plate indicating the location where Japanese Prime Minister Takashi Hara was assassinated in November 1921 at Tokyo Station is seen on Dec. 18, 2014.

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Century-old pillar still part of Tokyo Station platform

TOKYO, Japan - One of 14 original pillars that remain part of the Nos. 5 and 6 platforms at Tokyo Station in the Japanese capital since it opened 100 years ago is seen on Dec. 18, 2014. Two pillars will be turned into monuments.

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School attacked by Taliban gunmen in Pakistan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan - Photo taken Dec. 18, 2014, shows a military-run school in Peshawar, Pakistan, where more than 140 people, mostly students, were killed in an attack by Pakistani Taliban gunmen on Dec. 16.

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School attacked by Taliban gunmen in Pakistan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan - Photo taken Dec. 18, 2014, shows a military-run school in Peshawar, Pakistan, where more than 140 people, mostly students, were killed in an attack by Pakistani Taliban gunmen on Dec. 16.

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School attacked by Taliban gunmen in Pakistan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan - Photo taken Dec. 18, 2014, shows a military-run school in Peshawar, Pakistan, where more than 140 people, mostly students, were killed in an attack by Pakistani Taliban gunmen on Dec. 16.

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School attacked by Taliban gunmen in Pakistan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan - Photo taken Dec. 18, 2014, shows a military-run school in Peshawar, Pakistan, where more than 140 people, mostly students, were killed in an attack by Pakistani Taliban gunmen on Dec. 16.

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Tokyo Station marks 100th anniversary of opening

TOKYO, Japan - People walk by the redbrick building of East Japan Railway Co.'s Tokyo Station on its Marunouchi side on Dec. 18, 2014, two days before the 100th anniversary of the station's opening.

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Ex-Zaragoza player queried about game-rigging scandal

BARCELONA, Spain - Uruguayan striker Christian Stuani of Spanish First Division football club RCD Espanyol is asked by a local reporter in Barcelona on Dec. 18, 2014, about a match-fixing scandal involving his former team Real Zaragoza and Levante in May 2011. Javier Aguirre, coach of Japan's national team, is one of several dozen individuals named in a prosecution complaint on the alleged game rigging as he was manager of Zaragoza when it won the match against Levante and avoided relegation to the Second Division.

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Japanese astronaut Noguchi attends press conference in Paris

PARIS, France - Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi attends a press conference at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France, on Dec. 18, 2014. He stressed the significance of a space project under which two astronauts from the United States and Russia will stay at the International Space Station for the longest-ever period of one year from next March.

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Motion adopted to send N. Korea rights issue to ICC

NEW YORK, United States - Yoshifumi Okamura, a deputy Japanese ambassador, responds to reporters at the U.N. headquarters in New York, the United States, on Dec. 18, 2014, as the U.N. General Assembly formally endorsed a resolution slamming North Korea's human rights record and urging for the first time that the Security Council consider taking the issue to the International Criminal Court.

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Japan under-21 beat Bangladesh in friendly game

DHAKA, Bangladesh - Sanfrecce Hiroshima striker Takuma Asano (19) and other players celebrate as Japan's under-21 squad blanked the Bangladesh national team 3-0 in a friendly match in Dhaka on Dec. 18, 2014.

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Japan under-21 win friendly against Bangladesh

DHAKA, Bangladesh - Cerezo Osaka forward Takumi Minamino scores the second goal for Japan's under-21 team during the second half of a friendly match against Bangladesh's national squad in Dhaka on Dec. 18, 2014. Japan won 3-0.

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Japan keep coach Aguirre for Asian Cup

TOKYO, Japan - Hiromi Hara (L), general secretary of the Japan Football Association, and JFA President Kuniya Daini attend a JAF executive meeting in Tokyo on Dec. 18, 2014. The JFA decided that national team coach Javier Aguirre would remain in charge for the Jan. 9-31 Asian Cup despite his alleged involvement in a match-fixing scandal in Spain.

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Japan under-21 win friendly vs. Bangladesh

DHAKA, Bangladesh - Cerezo Osaka forward Takumi Minamino of Japan's under-21 team fires a shot during the first half of a friendly match against Bangladesh's national squad in Dhaka on Dec. 18, 2014, en route to a 3-0 win.

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Sporting goods maker develops pulse-counting shirt

TOKYO, Japan - A man wearing Goldwin Inc.'s heartbeat-counting shirt "C3fit IN-pulse" runs on a treadmill in Tokyo on Dec. 18, 2014. The shirt is to be combined with a device to transmit pulse data to a smartphone.

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Sporting goods maker develops pulse-counting shirt

TOKYO, Japan - A woman wearing Goldwin Inc.'s heartbeat-counting shirt "C3fit IN-pulse" poses on a treadmill in Tokyo on Dec. 18, 2014. The shirt is to be combined with a device to transmit pulse data to a smartphone.

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Ruins of ancient tile kiln found in western Japan

KASHIHARA, Japan - A man holds a round tile of the same design as the one used for the main palace of the imperial capital Fujiwara-kyo (694-710) in Takatori, Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 18, 2014. The kiln in the back is believed to have been used for making tiles for the palace.

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Ruins of ancient tile kiln found in western Japan

KASHIHARA, Japan - The remains of a tile kiln dating back to an era when Fujiwaka-kyo was the imperial capital (694-710) are shown to the press in Takatori, Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 18, 2014. The kiln is believed to have been used for making tiles for the capital's main palace.

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Figure skater Asada appears at event in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Mao Asada, Japan's three-time women's world figure skating champion who is sitting out this season, speaks in a Santa Claus costume during an event in Tokyo on Dec. 18, 2014. Asada will perform in an ice show scheduled to begin in Yokohama on Dec. 21.

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S. Korea's ex-bigwigs support Japan's pacifist constitution

SEOUL, South Korea - Former political, business and other leaders in South Korea attend a press conference in Seoul on Dec. 18, 2014, to support a campaign to nominate the Japanese Constitution's war-renouncing Article 9 as a candidate for the Noble Peace Prize.

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Beat Takeshi encourages boxer Amagasa

TOKYO, Japan - Comedian Beat Takeshi (R), also known as renowned movie director Takeshi Kitano, and boxer Hisashi Amagasa pose for photographs in Tokyo on Dec. 18, 2014. Amagasa will fight WBA/WBO super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba on the New Year's Eve.

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Japan's lunar explorer robot successfully runs on dunes

HAMAMATSU, Japan - A lunar explorer robot developed by Hakuto, the only Japanese team competing for the Google Luna XPrize that is led by Tohoku University Professor Kazuya Yoshida, makes a successful test run on the Nakatajima Sand Dunes in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, on Dec. 18, 2014. A total of 18 teams are competing in the contest, with a grand prize of 20 million dollars for the first team to land safely on the lunar surface, move 500 meters, and transmit high-definition images and video back to Earth.

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Figure skater Asada appears at event in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Mao Asada, Japan's three-time women's world figure skating champion who is sitting out this season, poses with a Christmas tree designed during an event in Tokyo on Dec. 18, 2014. Asada will perform in an ice show scheduled to begin in Yokohama on Dec. 21.

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Japan keep coach Aguirre for Asian Cup

TOKYO, Japan - Hiromi Hara, general secretary of the Japan Football Association, speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Dec. 18, 2014. Hara said the JFA decided that national team coach Javier Aguirre would remain in charge for the Jan. 9 to 31 Asian Cup despite his alleged involvement in a match-fixing scandal in Spain.

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Nijubashi Bridge at Imperial Palace illuminated with LEDs

TOKYO, Japan - The Nijubashi Bridge, the main entrance bridge to the Imperial Palace grounds, is illuminated with light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs during a trial on Dec. 18, 2014. The palace will be illuminated from Dec. 23, the emperor's birthday, until Jan. 4.

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NRA inspects No.3 reactor of Shimane nuclear plant

MATSUE, Japan - Nuclear Regulation Authority Commissioner Toyoshi Fuketa (R) inspects the inside of unit 3's reactor building at Chugoku Electric Power Co.'s Shimane nuclear power plant in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, on Dec. 18, 2014. Starting date of commercial operation of unit 3 has not been set. (Pool photo)

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Russian Pres. Putin speaks at annual year-end news conference

MOSCOW, Russia - Russian President Vladimir Putin holds an annual year-end news conference before over 1,200 journalists in Moscow, Russia, on Dec. 18, 2014.

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NRA inspects No.3 reactor of Shimane nuclear plant

MATSUE, Japan - Nuclear Regulation Authority Commissioner Toyoshi Fuketa (2nd from R) inspects the pressure vessel of unit 3, which is under construction, at Chugoku Electric Power Co.'s Shimane nuclear power plant in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, on Dec. 18, 2014. (Pool photo)

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Rising buckwheat price pressures soba shops

TOKYO, Japan - Soba noodles are served at "Chitosean" in Tokyo on Dec. 18, 2014. Soba noodle shops are facing difficulties due to the skyrocketing price of buckwheat, mainly imported from China, caused by a lean harvest and weak yen.

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Soaring buckwheat price hits soba shops

TOKYO, Japan - Soba noodles are prepared at "Chitosean" in Tokyo on Dec. 18, 2014. Soba noodle shops are facing difficulties due to the skyrocketing price of buckwheat, mainly imported from China, caused by lean harvest and weak yen.

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Japan banks aim to begin 24-hour money transfer service in 2018

TOKYO, Japan - Nobuyuki Hirano, chairman of the Japanese Bankers Association, speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Dec. 18, 2014. Hirano said that financial institutions operating in Japan aim to start a 24-hour, 365-day online money transfer service in 2018.

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Yomiuri Giants defeat ex-GM Kiyotake in lawsuit

TOKYO, Japan - Hidetoshi Kiyotake, former general manager of the Yomiuri Giants professional baseball club, speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 18, 2014, after the Tokyo District Court ordered him to pay 1.6 million yen in damages for discrediting the club and its owner Yomiuri Shimbun Holdings, rejecting his suit against his dismissal as general manager.

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Local gov't group to make Naruto whirlpools World Heritage

TOKUSHIMA, Japan - Members of a council set up by the Hyogo and Tokushima prefectural governments in western Japan attend their first meeting on Dec. 18, 2014, in Minamiawaji, Hyogo Prefecture, to initiate a joint drive toward their goal of acquiring World Heritage status for whirlpools observed at the Naruto Strait. The whirlpools are touted as among the largest in the world.

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Mobile hydrogen station for fuel-cell vehicles unveiled

NAGOYA, Japan - Officials cut the ribbon at a ceremony marking the opening of a site for a mobile hydrogen station for next-generation fuel-cell vehicles in the compounds of the Aichi prefectural government office on Dec. 18, 2014. The station, to be operated by Toyota Tsusho Corp., is expected to be fully launched for public use as early as June 2015.

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Panel proposes conservation of 4 facilities wrecked by 2011 disaster

MINAMISANRIKU, Japan - The steel frame of the Minamisanriku town government's office building for antidisaster measures remains standing in the town in Miyagi Prefecture on Dec. 18, 2014. An advisory panel to the prefectural government decided to recommend the conservation of four facilities, including the frame, wrecked by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami as a reminder of the disaster.

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Panel proposes conservation of 4 facilities wrecked by 2011 disaster

MINAMISANRIKU, Japan - The steel frame of the Minamisanriku town government's office building for antidisaster measures remains standing in the town in Miyagi Prefecture on Dec. 18, 2014. An advisory panel to the prefectural government decided to recommend the conservation of four facilities, including the frame, wrecked by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami as a reminder of the disaster.

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Panel proposes conservation of 4 facilities wrecked by 2011 disaster

MINAMISANRIKU, Japan - The steel frame of the Minamisanriku town government's office building for antidisaster measures remains standing in the town in Miyagi Prefecture on Dec. 18, 2014. An advisory panel to the prefectural government decided to recommend the conservation of four facilities, including the frame, wrecked by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami as a reminder of the disaster.

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Rakuten opens indoor sports facility for Fukushima kids

SOMA, Japan - Rakuten Eagles catcher (far R) Yasuhito Uchida and pitcher Takahiro Norimoto play with children on Dec. 18, 2014, at an event marking the opening of Soma Kodomo Dome, an indoor sports facility for kids built by Rakuten Baseball Inc. and others in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, before it opens to the public on Dec. 22. Many children in the northeastern Japan city lack in physical exercise as they have been barred from playing outdoors due to radioactive contamination from the tsunami-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

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Rakuten opens indoor sports facility for Fukushima kids

SOMA, Japan - Rakuten Eagles catcher Yasuhito Uchida (8) and pitcher Takahiro Norimoto play with children on Dec. 18, 2014, at an event marking the opening of Soma Kodomo Dome, an indoor sports facility for kids built by Rakuten Baseball Inc. and others in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, before it opens to the public on Dec. 22. Many children in the northeastern Japan city lack in physical exercise as they have been barred from playing outdoors due to radioactive contamination from the tsunami-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

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Palau Pres. Remengesau speaks in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Palau President Tommy Remengesau speaks at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Dec. 18, 2014. Remengesau arrived in Japan on Dec. 16 for a four-day working visit.

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Sumo world gets health award for promoting calisthenics

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Kakuryu (R) receives the Tanita Health Award from Japanese scale maker Tanita Corp. on behalf of the Japan Sumo Association for the popularization of its "Sumo Kenko Taiso," a set of calisthenics exercises based on sumo moves, at the Ryokoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo on Dec. 18, 2014.

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FIBA exec Baumann hopes to complete JBA reform by June

TOKYO, Japan - Patrick Baumann (L), secretary general of the International Basketball Federation, attends a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 18, 2014. Bauman said he hopes to complete the job of reforming the Japan Basketball Association by June.

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1st commercial hydrogen station in Tokyo opens

TOKYO, Japan - Tokyo Gas Vice President Yutaka Kunigo (far R) fills a fuel-cell vehicle on Dec. 18, 2014, at the hydrogen fuel station in the Japanese capital during a ceremony to commemorate the launch of the first commercial charging station in Tokyo and its surrounding region.