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Japanese whale hunters defend endangered tradition

TAIJI, Japan - Miyato Sugimori, a senior official of a fishermen's association in Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture, stands by a memorial erected to console the souls of dead whales in the fishing village in the prefecture. Photo taken Dec. 24, 2012.

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Japanese whale hunters defend endangered tradition

TAIJI, Japan - Photo taken Dec. 24, 2012, shows the statue of a traditional harpooner in Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture. The statue underwent renovation after an antiwhaling German male activist bent its harpoon in October 2012 and was arrested.

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Ice candle illumination

HAKODATE, Japan - An avenue leading to a Trappist monastery is illuminated by ice candles in Hokuto, Hokkaido, on Dec. 24, 2012.

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Asada at national c'ships exhibition

SAPPORO, Japan - Japanese figure skater Mao Asada performs during an exhibition at the national championships at the Makomanai ice arena in Sapporo, Hokkaido, on Dec. 24, 2012. Asada won the women's national title and secured a spot in the world championships in March 2013.

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Christmas tree lit up in disaster-hit Ishinomaki

ISHINOMAKI, Japan - A Christmas tree is lit up in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, on Dec. 24, 2012, illuminating a coastal area of the northeastern city hit by the 2011 March tsunami.

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Inac Kobe win Empress' Cup

SAITAMA, Japan - Defender Asuna Tanaka (4) of Inac Kobe scores an extra-time winner in the final of the Empress' Cup national championship against Chiba at Nack5 Stadium in Saitama on Dec. 24, 2012. Kobe won 1-0 to add to their title in the Nadeshiko League, Japan's top women's soccer league.

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Rankings announced for New Year tournament

FUNABASHI, Japan - Sumo wrestler Shohozan (R) shakes hands with his stablemaster Matsugane at their stable in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture, on Dec. 24, 2012, after earning promotion to the fourth-highest rank of komusubi in the rankings for the Jan. 13-27 New Year Grand Sumo Tournament released the same day by the Japan Sumo Association. Shohozan is placed in the top four ranks of the sport for the first time in his career.

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Inac Kobe win Empress' Cup

SAITAMA, Japan - Defender Asuna Tanaka (far R) of Inac Kobe scores an extra-time winner in the final of the Empress' Cup national championship against Chiba at Nack5 Stadium in Saitama on Dec. 24, 2012. Kobe won 1-0 to add to their title in the Nadeshiko League, Japan's top women's soccer league.

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Rankings announced for New Year tournament

MATSUDO, Japan - Sumo wrestler Kotoyuki (L) holds a new rankings list for the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament with his stablemaster Sadogatake at their stable in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture, on Dec. 24, 2012. Kotoyuki, ranked as a No. 15 maegashira, is just one new face in the elite makuuchi division in the Jan. 13-27 tournament in Tokyo.

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Rankings announced for New Year basho

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho holds a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 24, 2012, when the Japan Sumo Association released its rankings for the Jan. 13-27 New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. Hakuho, the east yokozuna, is looking for his 24th tournament championship, which would tie him for fourth on the all-time list with Kitanoumi.

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Noda in stump speech

SAGAMIHARA, Japan - Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda (C) shakes hands with voters after making a stump speech in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Nov. 24, 2012, ahead of the Dec. 16 general election.

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Abe in stump speech

TOKYO, Japan - Shinzo Abe (C), chief of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party, shakes hands with voters after making a stump speech in Musashino, Tokyo, on Nov. 24, 2012, ahead of the Dec. 16 general election.

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Noda in stump speech

SAGAMIHARA, Japan - Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda makes a stump speech in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Nov. 24, 2012, ahead of the Dec. 16 general election.

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Noda in stump speech

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda makes a stump speech in Kunitachi, Tokyo, on Nov. 24, 2012, ahead of the Dec. 16 general election.

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Abe in stump speech

TOKYO, Japan - Shinzo Abe, chief of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party, makes a stump speech in Musashino, Tokyo, on Nov. 24, 2012, ahead of the Dec. 16 general election.

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Finance minister Azumi at press conference

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Finance Minister Jun Azumi speaks at a press conference at the Finance Ministry in Tokyo on Dec. 24, 2011, after the Cabinet of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda agreed on the initial budget for fiscal 2012 the same day. The government plans to submit the draft budget to parliament in early 2012.