Saibu Gas President Michinaga

Saibu Gas President Michinaga

Saibu Gas Holdings Co. President Yukinori Michinaga gives an interview in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on Dec. 23, 2022.

Saibu Gas President Michinaga

Saibu Gas President Michinaga

Saibu Gas Holdings Co. President Yukinori Michinaga gives an interview in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on Dec. 23, 2022.

Saibu Gas President Michinaga

Saibu Gas President Michinaga

Saibu Gas Holdings Co. President Yukinori Michinaga gives an interview in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on Dec. 23, 2022.

Japan-Central Asia foreign ministerial talks

Japan-Central Asia foreign ministerial talks

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (C) poses for a photo with Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi (3rd from R) and his counterparts from five Central Asian countries -- (from L) Uzbekistan's Vladimir Norov, Tajikistan's Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Turkmenistan's Rashid Meredov, Kazakhstan's Mukhtar Tileuberdi and Kyrgyzstan's Zheenbek Kulubaev -- as they hold talks at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2022.

Wrestling: Japanese national championships

Wrestling: Japanese national championships

Two-time Olympic champion Risako Kinjo (red) locks her arms around Yui Sakano's shoulders during the women's 59-kilogram final at the wrestling national championships at Komazawa Gymnasium in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2022.

Wrestling: Japanese national championships

Wrestling: Japanese national championships

World silver medalist Ami Ishii (red) attempts a takedown against Miwa Morikawa during the women's 68-kilogram final at the wrestling national championships at Komazawa Gymnasium in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2022.

Wrestling: Japanese national championships

Wrestling: Japanese national championships

Two-time Olympic champion Risako Kinjo smiles during the medal ceremony after winning the women's 59-kilogram title at the wrestling national championships at Komazawa Gymnasium in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2022.

Snow in western Japan

Snow in western Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 23, 2022, shows a statue of legendary samurai Sakamoto Ryoma in the western Japan city of Kochi, dusted with snow.

Wrestling: Japanese national championships

Wrestling: Japanese national championships

World silver medalist Ami Ishii poses with her medal and certificate after winning the women's 68-kilogram title at the wrestling national championships at Komazawa Gymnasium in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2022.

Snow in western Japan

Snow in western Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 23, 2022, shows Kochi Castle in western Japan dusted with snow.

Kanazawa in snow

Kanazawa in snow

A pedestrian walks in the snow in front of JR Kanazawa Station in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on Dec. 23, 2022.

Kanazawa in snow

Kanazawa in snow

A pedestrian walks in the snow in front of JR Kanazawa Station in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on Dec. 23, 2022.

Kanazawa in snow

Kanazawa in snow

Children play in the snow on Dec. 23, 2022, in Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan.

Kanazawa in snow

Kanazawa in snow

The central Japan city of Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture is blanketed with snow on Dec. 23, 2022.

Kanazawa in snow

Kanazawa in snow

The central Japan city of Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture is blanketed with snow on Dec. 23, 2022.

Kanazawa in snow

Kanazawa in snow

The central Japan city of Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture is blanketed with snow on Dec. 23, 2022.

Illumination in Shibuya, Tokyo

Illumination in Shibuya, Tokyo

Tokyo's Omotesando shopping area is illuminated in blue on Dec. 23, 2022.

Illumination in Shibuya, Tokyo

Illumination in Shibuya, Tokyo

Tokyo's Omotesando shopping area is illuminated in blue on Dec. 23, 2022.

Saibu Gas HQ

Saibu Gas HQ

File photo taken Dec. 23, 2022, shows the logo of Saibu Gas Co. at its head office in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan.

Saibu Gas HQ

Saibu Gas HQ

File photo taken Dec. 23, 2022, shows the logo of Saibu Gas Co. at its head office in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan.

Saibu Gas HQ

Saibu Gas HQ

File photo taken Dec. 23, 2022, shows the head office of Saibu Gas Co. in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan.

Beijing amid COVID surge

Beijing amid COVID surge

A pharmacist attends to customers in Beijing on Dec. 23, 2022, amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. The Chinese government eased its strict antivirus measures earlier in the month.

Beijing amid COVID surge

Beijing amid COVID surge

People wait to access fever outpatient services at a hospital in Beijing on Dec. 23, 2022, amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. The Chinese government eased its strict antivirus measures earlier in the month.

Beijing amid COVID surge

Beijing amid COVID surge

People visit a hospital for fever outpatient services in Beijing on Dec. 23, 2022, amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. The Chinese government eased its strict antivirus measures earlier in the month.

Beijing amid COVID surge

Beijing amid COVID surge

Photo taken on Dec. 23, 2022, shows coffins standing on the premises of a hospital in Beijing, likely to be used for COVID-19 victims amid a surge in infections. The Chinese government eased its strict antivirus measures earlier in the month.

Beijing amid COVID surge

Beijing amid COVID surge

Photo taken on Dec. 23, 2022, shows coffins standing on the premises of a hospital in Beijing, likely to be used for COVID-19 victims amid a surge in infections. The Chinese government eased its strict antivirus measures earlier in the month.

Japan-Central Asia foreign ministerial talks

Japan-Central Asia foreign ministerial talks

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (2nd from R) holds talks with the foreign ministers of five Central Asian countries -- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan -- at his office in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2022.

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Yuma Kagiyama performs in the men's short program at the national figure skating championships at Towa Pharmaceutical Ractab Dome in the Osaka Prefecture city of Kadoma, western Japan, on Dec. 23, 2022.

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Yuma Kagiyama performs in the men's short program at the national figure skating championships at Towa Pharmaceutical Ractab Dome in the Osaka Prefecture city of Kadoma, western Japan, on Dec. 23, 2022.

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Yuma Kagiyama performs in the men's short program at the national figure skating championships at Towa Pharmaceutical Ractab Dome in the Osaka Prefecture city of Kadoma, western Japan, on Dec. 23, 2022.

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Sota Yamamoto performs in the men's short program at the national figure skating championships at Towa Pharmaceutical Ractab Dome in the Osaka Prefecture city of Kadoma, western Japan, on Dec. 23, 2022.

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Sota Yamamoto performs in the men's short program at the national figure skating championships at Towa Pharmaceutical Ractab Dome in the Osaka Prefecture city of Kadoma, western Japan, on Dec. 23, 2022.

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Shoma Uno performs in the men's short program at the national figure skating championships at Towa Pharmaceutical Ractab Dome in the Osaka Prefecture city of Kadoma, western Japan, on Dec. 23, 2022.

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Shoma Uno performs in the men's short program at the national figure skating championships at Towa Pharmaceutical Ractab Dome in the Osaka Prefecture city of Kadoma, western Japan, on Dec. 23, 2022.

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Shoma Uno performs in the men's short program at the national figure skating championships at Towa Pharmaceutical Ractab Dome in the Osaka Prefecture city of Kadoma, western Japan, on Dec. 23, 2022.

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Shoma Uno performs in the men's short program at the national figure skating championships at Towa Pharmaceutical Ractab Dome in the Osaka Prefecture city of Kadoma, western Japan, on Dec. 23, 2022.

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Shoma Uno performs in the men's short program at the national figure skating championships at Towa Pharmaceutical Ractab Dome in the Osaka Prefecture city of Kadoma, western Japan, on Dec. 23, 2022.

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Shoma Uno performs in the men's short program at the national figure skating championships at Towa Pharmaceutical Ractab Dome in the Osaka Prefecture city of Kadoma, western Japan, on Dec. 23, 2022.

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Shoma Uno performs in the men's short program at the national figure skating championships at Towa Pharmaceutical Ractab Dome in the Osaka Prefecture city of Kadoma, western Japan, on Dec. 23, 2022.

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Figure skating: Japanese national championships

Shoma Uno performs in the men's short program at the national figure skating championships at Towa Pharmaceutical Ractab Dome in the Osaka Prefecture city of Kadoma, western Japan, on Dec. 23, 2022.

Snow in western Japan

Snow in western Japan

A person walks two dogs in the snow at Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima on Dec. 23, 2022, as a strong winter pressure pattern brought snowfall to the western Japan city and many parts of the country.

Snow in western Japan

Snow in western Japan

Paper cranes are covered with snow near Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima on Dec. 23, 2022, as a strong winter pressure pattern brought snowfall to the western Japan city and many parts of the country.

Snow in western Japan

Snow in western Japan

People walk through Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima on Dec. 23, 2022, as a strong winter pressure pattern brought snowfall to the western Japan city and many parts of the country.

Boxing: Ioka-Franco unification clash

Boxing: Ioka-Franco unification clash

WBO super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka of Japan speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2022, ahead of his New Year's Eve world boxing title unification bout against WBA counterpart Joshua Franco of the United States.

Japan PM Kishida treated to crabs

Japan PM Kishida treated to crabs

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida eats snow crab at the premier's office in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2022, as he is treated to the winter delicacy during a courtesy call by officials of the Ishikawa Prefecture of Fisheries Co-operative Associations.

Japan PM Kishida treated to crabs

Japan PM Kishida treated to crabs

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida eats snow crab at the premier's office in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2022, as he is treated to the winter delicacy during a courtesy call by officials of the Ishikawa Prefecture of Fisheries Co-operative Associations.

Japanese ex-Emperor Akihito turns 89

Japanese ex-Emperor Akihito turns 89

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako enter the residence of former Emperor Akihito and former Empress Michiko in Akasaka Estate in Tokyo on Dec. 23, 2022, the former emperor's 89th birthday. (Pool photo)

Snow in central Japan

Snow in central Japan

A man removes snow on a street in Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on Dec. 23, 2022.

Snow in western Japan

Snow in western Japan

An area near JR Tokushima Station in the western Japan city of Tokushima is covered with snow on Dec. 23, 2022, as the Shikoku region city is hit by record levels of snowfall.

Snow in western Japan

Snow in western Japan

An area near JR Tokushima Station in the western Japan city of Tokushima is covered with snow on Dec. 23, 2022, as the Shikoku region city is hit by record levels of snowfall.