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Yokozuna Hakuho to advertise new 'shochu' liquor

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho attends a press conference held by Kirishima Shuzo Co. in Tokyo on Dec. 9, 2014, to announce the release of a new "shochu" liquor product set for Jan. 21, 2015. The top sumo wrestler is set to appear in the advertisement of the new product for the distilled beverage maker.

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Civic group keeps publishing testimony by 1995 quake victims

OSAKA, Japan - Nobumitsu Shirai, deputy chief of a voluntary group that has kept publishing collections of testimony by victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, holds a copy of one of the publications in this file photo taken on Dec. 21, 2014. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the disaster that devastated Kobe and other areas of western Japan.

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People walk by AKB48 mall under Akihabara Station

TOKYO, Japan - People walk by the AKB48 Cafe & Shop mall under East Japan Railway Co.'s Akihabara Station in Tokyo in this file photo taken on Dec. 21, 2014. AKB48 is a Japanese female pop group named after the Akihabara area where its theater is located.

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Record companies eye new businesses as CD sales dwindle

TOKYO, japan - Comedian Hikaru Tanaka (L) hands an autographed copy of his comic "Dr. Nakajima's World Conquest," published by Pony Canyon Inc., to a fan during a book-signing event outside a bookstore in Tokyo on Dec. 21, 2014. Amid shrinking sales of CDs, Pony Canyon and other Japanese record companies are diversifying into all sorts of other fields in search of new business opportunities.

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Record companies eye new businesses as CD sales dwindle

TOKYO, Japan - Copies of the comic "Dr. Nakajima's World Conquest," published by Pony Canyon Inc., are shown at a book-signing event by author and comedian Hikaru Tanaka outside a bookstore in Tokyo on Dec. 21, 2014. Amid shrinking sales of CDs, Pony Canyon and other record companies in Japan are diversifying into all sorts of other fields in search of new business opportunities.

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Cuban dissidents' kin wary over U.S. policy shift

HAVANA, Cuba - A group of women dressed in white, including the wives of detained dissidents, protest at a square in Havana, Cuba, on Dec. 21, 2014, demanding the activists' release. Many are wary that human rights issues in Cuba will be put on the backburner as a result of Washington's sudden policy shift toward normalizing relations with Havana.

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25th anniv. of Romanian Revolution

BUCHAREST, Romania - Parents and children light candles in front of a cross in Bucharest, Romania, on Dec. 21, 2014, to commemorate the victims of the Romanian Revolution 25 years ago, which caused a great number of casualties in the overthrow of Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

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U.S.-made classic car in Cuba

HAVANA, Cuba - A U.S.-made classic car runs in Old Havana, Cuba, on Dec. 21, 2014. The United States and Cuba recently agreed to start talks on normalizing bilateral ties that have been severed since 1961.

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Inter Milan's Nagatomo reacts to cheers from supporters

MILAN, Italy - Japanese defender Yuto Nagatomo (R) of Inter Milan responds to cheers from supporters after a 2-2 draw in an Italian Serie A game against Lazio in Milan on Dec. 21, 2014.

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U.S.-made classic car in Cuba

HAVANA, Cuba - A U.S.-made classic car runs past the former parliament building in Havana, Cuba, on Dec. 21, 2014. The United States and Cuba recently agreed to start talks on normalizing bilateral ties that have been severed since 1961.

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25th anniv. of Romanian Revolution

BUCHAREST, Romania - Parents and children light candles in front of a cross in Bucharest, Romania, on Dec. 21, 2014, to commemorate the victims of the Romanian Revolution 25 years ago, which caused a great number of casualties in the overthrow of Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

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25th anniv. of Romanian Revolution

BUCHAREST, Romania - Local citizens gather in Bucharest, Romania, on Dec. 21, 2014, to commemorate the victims of the Romanian Revolution 25 years ago, which caused a great number of casualties in the overthrow of Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Words to represent "Heroes never die" were created by lighted candles.

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25th anniv. of Romanian Revolution

BUCHAREST, Romania - Local citizens hold candles during a mass in Bucharest, Romania, on Dec. 21, 2014, to commemorate the victims of the Romanian Revolution 25 years ago, which caused a great number of casualties in the overthrow of Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

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Hannover's Kiyotake in action against Freiburg player

FREIBURG, Germany - Japanese midfielder Hiroshi Kiyotake (R) of Hannover 96 competes for the ball with SC Freiburg defender Christian Guenter in the first half of a German Bundesliga game away in Freiburg on Dec. 21, 2014. The game ended in a 2-2 draw.

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Hannover's Sakai in action against Freiburg player

FREIBURG, Germany - Japanese defender Hiroki Sakai (R) of Hannover 96 competes for the ball with SC Freiburg midfielder Vaclav Pilar in the first half of a German Bundesliga game away in Freiburg on Dec. 21, 2014. The game ended in a 2-2 draw.

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Figure skater Asada appears in ice show in Yokohama

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Mao Asada (L), Japan's three-time women's world figure skating champion who is sitting out this season, and Daisuke Takahashi, the men's Vancouver Olympic bronze medalist who retired from competitive figure skating in October, smile while speaking to reporters after their performance at an ice show in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, on Dec. 21, 2014. Asada performed in public for the first time in about five months.

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Inter Milan's Nagatomo in action against Lazio

MILAN, Italy - Japanese defender Yuto Nagatomo (R) of Inter Milan goes on the offensive in the first half of an Italian Serie A game against Lazio in Milan on Dec. 21, 2014, en route to a 2-2 draw.

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Miyazaki governor set to win re-election

MIYAZAKI, Japan - Miyazaki Gov. Shunji Kono celebrates in the city of Miyazaki on Dec. 21, 2014, after he is reported by media to have won re-election in the gubernatorial election.

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Aguirre to explain himself at press conference

TOKYO, Japan - Hiromi Hara, secretary general of the Japan Football Association, speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Dec. 21, 2014, after a meeting of its board of trustees. The association revealed at the meeting that Japan manager Javier Aguirre will hold a press conference to offer an explanation regarding match-fixing charges that have been leveled at him in Spain.

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Tunisians vote in presidential run-off election

TUNIS, Tunisia - Women cast their ballots at a polling station in central Tunis, Tunisia, on Dec. 21, 2014, to choose their first freely elected president in a run-off election.

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Yokozuna Hakuho mingles with Mongolian youths

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Hakuho from Mongolia plays basketball at Takushoku University's Hachioji Campus in the suburbs of Tokyo in a cultural exchange event with Mongolian students on Dec. 21, 2014. Fellow Mongolian grand champion Kakuryu also attended.

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Steelers thrash Jubilo to move 4th in standings

KOBE, Japan - Rakuhei Yamashita of Kobe Kobelco Steelers scores a try during the first half of a rugby match against Yamaha Jubilo in Japan's Top League at Noevir Stadium in Kobe on Dec. 21, 2014. Kobe hammered Yamaha 40-10.

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"Gay marriage" in Japan's entertainment world

TOKYO, Japan - TV personality Ayaka Ichinose (L) and actress Akane Sugimori pose for photos in Tokyo on Dec. 21, 2014, as they announce their wedding ceremony next spring. It is rare in Japan for gay entertainers to publicize their "marriage," as gay marriage is illegal.

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Same-sex marriage revealed in Japan's entertainment world

TOKYO, Japan - TV personality Ayaka Ichinose (L) and actress/dancer Akane Sugimori tell a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 21, 2014, they will marry on April 19 next year in the Japanese capital. It is rare in Japan for gay entertainers to publicize their "marriage" as same-sex marriage is illegal.

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Figure skater Asada appears in ice show in Yokohama

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Mao Asada (L), Japan's three-time women's world figure skating champion who is sitting out this season, and Daisuke Takahashi, the men's Vancouver Olympic bronze medalist who retired from competitive figure skating in October, wave to the crowd during the finale of an ice show in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, on Dec. 21, 2014. Asada performed in public for the first time in about five months.

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Figure skater Asada appears in ice show in Yokohama

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Mao Asada (front), Japan's three-time women's world figure skating champion who is sitting out this season, and Daisuke Takahashi, the men's Vancouver Olympic bronze medalist who retired from competitive figure skating in October, perform during an ice show in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, on Dec. 21, 2014. Asada performed in public for the first time in about five months.

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Ichinojo named hometown ambassador for Tottori Pref.

TOTTORI, Japan - Sekiwake Ichinojo (C) poses in Tottori, western Japan, on Dec. 21, 2014, after being named a hometown ambassador for Tottori Prefecture by Gov. Shinji Hirai (2nd from L) as Tokiyoshi Ishiura (far R), manager of Tottori Johoku High School's sumo club to which the Mongolian wrestler belonged, looks on.

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Steelers thrash Jubilo to move 4th in standings

KOBE, Japan - Daisuke Yamamoto of Kobe Kobelco Steelers scores from a penalty kick during the first half of a rugby match against Yamaha Jubilo in Japan's Top League at Noevir Stadium in Kobe on Dec. 21, 2014. Kobe hammered Yamaha 40-10.

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Japan PM Abe enjoys golf for 1st time in 4 months

CHIGASAKI, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plays golf for the first time in about four months at a golf course in Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Dec. 21, 2014, ahead of a special parliamentary session on Dec. 24, during which he will be re-elected as premier.

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DPJ unveils poster for general election

TOKYO, Japan - Banri Kaieda, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan, unveils the party's poster for the upcoming general election, featuring the slogan "Now is the time to change the current," at the DPJ's offices in Tokyo on Nov. 21, 2014. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dissolved the lower house of parliament earlier in the day for a general election on Dec. 14.

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Japan PM dissolves lower house for election

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe holds a press conference at his office in Tokyo on Nov. 21, 2014, after dissolving the lower house of parliament earlier in the day for a general election on Dec. 14.

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Japan PM dissolves lower house for election

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe holds a press conference at his office in Tokyo on Nov. 21, 2014, after dissolving the lower house of parliament earlier in the day for a general election on Dec. 14.

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Japan PM dissolves lower house for election

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C) and other lawmakers of his Liberal Democratic Party raise their fists to boost morale ahead of a general election after the launch of the election headquarters at the party's offices in Tokyo on Nov. 21, 2014. Abe dissolved the lower house of parliament earlier in the day for a general election on Dec. 14.

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Japan PM dissolves lower house for election

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Nov. 21, 2014, shows the Japanese Diet in Tokyo. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dissolved the lower house of parliament earlier in the day for a general election on Dec. 14.

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Umbrella artwork adorns Kyoto temple garden in illumination

KYOTO, Japan - The Hashintei dry-landscape garden in Kodaiji, a Buddhist temple in the ancient capital of Kyoto, western Japan, is decorated with brightly colored traditional Japanese umbrellas and lit up on Oct. 21, 2014, during an illumination test ahead of a special night-viewing period for autumnal foliage from Oct. 24 to Dec. 14.

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Umbrella artwork adorns Kyoto temple garden in illumination

KYOTO, Japan - Brightly colored traditional Japanese umbrellas in red, purple and white stand out under lighting at the Hashintei traditional dry-landscape garden in Kodaiji, a Buddhist temple in the ancient capital of Kyoto, western Japan, during an illumination test on Oct. 21, 2014, ahead of a special night-viewing period for autumnal foliage from Oct. 24 to Dec. 14.

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Japan's new justice minister attends press conference

TOKYO, Japan - Japan's new Justice Minister Yoko Kamikawa attends a press conference on Oct. 21, 2014, at her ministry in Tokyo following an attestation ceremony. She said she will make utmost efforts to gain public understanding over a controversial secrecy law that will take effect on Dec. 10.

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Otter pups

OSAKA, Japan - Asian small clawed otter pups make their public debut at Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan in Osaka, western Japan, on May 21, 2014. The litter was born on Dec. 29 and 30, 2013.

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A month before Sochi Olympics

SOCHI, Russia - Police officers check luggage at a gate before an ice hockey friendly at the Olympic Park in Sochi, Russia, on Dec. 21, 2013. The Winter Games will be held in the Black Sea resort from Feb. 7 to 23, 2014.

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Robotics Challenge

WASHINGTON, United States - Photo shows Schaft, a humanoid robot developed by Japanese venture company Schaft Inc., at the DARPA Robotics Challenge in Homestead, Florida, on Dec. 21, 2013. Schaft won the two-day contest hosted by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to prove robotic performance capabilities in disaster situations, advancing to the final competition in late 2014.

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Robotics Challenge

WASHINGTON, United States - Photo shows Schaft, a humanoid robot developed by Japanese venture company Schaft Inc., and its team at the DARPA Robotics Challenge in Homestead, Florida, on Dec. 21, 2013. Schaft won the two-day contest hosted by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to prove robotic performance capabilities in disaster situations, advancing to the final competition in late 2014.

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Gov't, ruling bloc agree on 95.88 tri. yen budget for FY 2014

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R) speaks at a meeting of the government and ruling bloc top officials at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Dec. 21, 2013. They approved the government budget plan for fiscal 2014 totaling a record-high 95.88 trillion yen.

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Thai opposition to boycott election

BANGKOK, Thailand - Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of Thailand's main opposition Democrat Party, speaks during a press conference in Bangkok on Dec. 21, 2013. The party will boycott the snap election to be held in February 2014.

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Thai opposition to boycott election

BANGKOK, Thailand - Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of Thailand's main opposition Democrat Party, speaks during a press conference in Bangkok on Dec. 21, 2013. The party will boycott the snap election to be held in February 2014.

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Gov't, ruling bloc agree on 95.88 tri. yen budget for FY 2014

TOKYO, Japan - Finance Minister Taro Aso speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Dec. 21, 2013, after the government and the ruling bloc approved the government budget plan for fiscal 2014. The planned budget totals a record-high 95.88 trillion yen, up from 92.61 trillion yen the previous year.

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Gov't, ruling bloc agree on 95.88 tri. yen budget for FY 2014

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks at a meeting of the government and the ruling bloc at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Dec. 21, 2013. At the meeting, a proposed government budget for fiscal 2014 totaling a record-high 95.88 trillion yen was approved.