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Elderly singer performs before railway station

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Japanese "enka" ballad singer Saburo Daimon performs in a unique costume on Dec. 3, 2014, in front of an East Japan Railway Co. station in Hiratsuka, southwest of Tokyo. The 65-year-old has been staging such performances almost every weekday for over six years to help encourage local people.

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A-bomb survivor hopes peace discussed more in election

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Kazuo Okoshi, secretary general of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations (headed by Kazushi Kaneko), speaks at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan, on Dec. 3, 2014, of the importance of discussing the issues of peace and the Constitution during the current campaign for the lower house election on Dec. 14.

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A-bomb survivor desires Japan's leadership in nuke disarmament

NAGASAKI, Japan - Masao Tomonaga, a survivor of an atomic bombing and honorary director of the Japanese Red Cross Nagasaki Genbaku Hospital, expresses in Nagasaki, Japan, on Dec. 3, 2014, his expectations that the Japanese government will exercise strong leadership in nuclear disarmament.

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Fresh market in Syria

DAMASCUS, Syria - People buy fruits at a fresh food market in Damascus, Syria, on Dec. 3, 2014.

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Disabled should be tapped as agents of change

NEW YORK, United States - Akiko Fukuda, the secretary general of the World Federation of the Deafblind, speaks at the U.N. headquarters in New York, the United States on Dec. 3, 2014. She pressed the international community to include the perspectives of the disabled in devising plans for disaster preparedness.

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ASEAN arts festival for disabled held in Myanmar

NAYPYITAW, Myanmar - A group of hearing-impaired people from Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan, gives a performance of Japanese drums during an Association of Southeast Asian Nations festival for the disabled in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on Dec. 3, 2014. Some 160 people from ASEAN countries participated in the event, which runs through Dec. 7 in the Myanmar capital and Yangon.

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ASEAN arts festival for disabled held in Myanmar

NAYPYITAW, Myanmar - A group from Myanmar performs a wheelchair dance during an Association of Southeast Asian Nations festival for the disabled in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on Dec. 3, 2014. Some 160 people from ASEAN countries participated in the event, which runs through Dec. 7 in the Myanmar capital and Yangon.

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Southampton's Yoshida in action against Arsenal

LONDON, Britain - Maya Yoshida (R) of Southampton clears the ball in front of Arsenal's Alexis during the second half of a Premiere League match in London on Dec. 3, 2014. Arsenal won 1-0.

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NASA chief meets with reporters prior to Orion launch

CAPE CANAVERAL, United States - Charles Bolden (L), administrator of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, meets with reporters at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the United States, on Dec. 3, 2014, in front of a Delta 4 Heavy rocket carrying Orion spacecraft, which will be launched on Dec. 4.

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'Doraemon' roots for equestrian targeting 2020 Olympics

OSAKA, Japan - Tomoko Nakamura, a member of Japan's silver-winning dressage team in equestrian at the 2014 Asian Games, poses with a horse at a stall in Nara on Dec. 3, 2014. A poster, featuring the popular Japanese comic character "Doraemon," hung at the stall calls for support for Nakamura who is aiming to participate in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. The late author of "Doraemon" is Nakamura's uncle.

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Kanazawa's travel map illustrates castle town attractions

KANAZAWA, Japan - A woman holds a map of Kanazawa which was created based on a map from the late Edo period in the central Japanese city in Ishikawa Prefecture on Dec. 3, 2014. Kanazawa is expecting more visitors due to bullet train service on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line starting in March 2015 (Nagano-Kanazawa) to link Tokyo with Kanazawa.

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'Doraemon' roots for equestrian targeting 2020 Olympics

OSAKA, Japan - Tomoko Nakamura, a member of Japan's silver-winning dressage team in equestrian at the 2014 Asian Games, is seen at a stall in Nara on Dec. 3, 2014. A poster, featuring the popular Japanese comic character "Doraemon," hung at the stall calls for support for Nakamura who is aiming to participate in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. The late author of "Doraemon" is Nakamura's uncle.

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Japan launches Hayabusa2 space probe

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - An H-2A rocket carrying the Hayabusa2 asteroid explorer ascends in the sky after liftoff from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan on Dec. 3, 2014. The probe will travel to an asteroid 300 million kilometers from Earth to collect rock samples before returning in late 2020.

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Model of Hayabusa2 asteroid explorer

FUKUOKA, Japan - A model of the Hayabusa2 asteroid explorer is shown in this undated photo. Hayabusa2 was successfully launched on Dec. 3, 2014, from the Tanegashima Space Station in the southwestern Japanese prefecture of Kagoshima for a mission to collect samples of an asteroid.

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N. Korean diplomat with rich Japan experience to leave for new job

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows Kim Chol Ho, vice director of the North Korean Foreign Ministry's Asian Affairs Department. Kim, who has long experience in dealing with Japan, is expected to leave Pyongyang soon and to become ambassador to Ethiopia, a source familiar with the situation said Dec. 3, 2014.

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Japan Basketball Association leaders to resign over sanctions

TOKYO, Japan - Mitsuru Maruo, the Japan Basketball Association's acting chairman, holds a press conference in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward on Dec. 3, 2014, after the JBA's directors decided earlier in the day to resign following the International Basketball Federation's decision to ban Japan from international competition for the JBA's failure to merge its two competing leagues.

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Japan launches Hayabusa2 space probe

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Hitoshi Kuninaka, a professor at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, smiles in front of a model of the Hayabusa2 asteroid explorer at the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan on Dec. 3, 2014, after an H-2A rocket carrying the probe was successfully launched. Kuninaka is in charge of the Hayabusa2 program in which the probe is set to travel to an asteroid 300 million kilometers from Earth to collect rock samples before returning in late 2020.

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Pro-democracy protests in H.K.

HONG KONG, China - The flags of pro-democracy protesters fly on a main road in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on Dec. 3, 2014.

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Pro-democracy protests in H.K.

HONG KONG, China - Tents of pro-democracy protesters fill a main road in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on Dec. 3, 2014.

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NRA begins safety inspections of Monju reactor

TSRUGA, Japan - A senior official of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency addresses a meeting in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, on Dec. 3, 2014, to mark the start of quarterly safety inspections of its Monju prototype fast-breeder reactor by the Nuclear Regulation Authority. Operation of the Monju reactor has been effectively banned by the NRA since finding improperly inspected equipment in the past.

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Kindergarten OKs 60 mil. yen in damages over tsunami deaths

SENDAI, Japan - The relatives of four kindergarteners who died in a pickup bus that was swamped by high waves in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, in March 2011, attend a press conference in Sendai in the prefecture on Dec. 3, 2014, holding the photos of the children, after a settlement at the Sendai High Court. The privately run Hiyori kindergarten admitted it did not take sufficient measures to deal with a tsunami, agreeing to pay 60 million yen in damages and offer an apology over their deaths.

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Japan university holds dental seminar in Vladivostok

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia - Professor Yoshihiro Abiko of the Health Sciences University of Hokkaido gives a lecture to dental students during a seminar in Vladivostok, Russia, on Dec. 3, 2014. The Japanese university aims to promote cooperation in the field of dental treatment with entities in the Russian Far East.

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Pro-democracy protests in H.K.

HONG KONG, China - Tents of pro-democracy protesters fill a main road in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on Dec. 3, 2014.

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Hayabusa2 space probe successfully launched

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Staff applaud on Dec. 3, 2014, at the Tanegashima Space Center in the southwestern Japanese prefecture of Kagoshima after the asteroid explorer Hayabusa2 was separated from the H-IIA F26 following liftoff. Hayabusa2's mission is to explore one of the C-type asteroids in the universe and bring retrieved materials to Earth.

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Japan's average gasoline price falls to 1-year low

TOKYO, Japan - A display at a gas station in Tokyo shows regular gasoline priced at 147 yen per liter on Dec. 3, 2014. The retail price of regular gasoline in Japan had dropped 20 weeks in a row to the lowest level in one year, the government's Agency for Natural Resources and Energy said the same day, with the average price dropping 0.90 yen from Nov. 25 to 157.40 yen per liter as of Dec. 1, its lowest level since Dec. 2, 2013.

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Emperor, empress visit Hiroshima landslide site

OSAKA, Japan - Emperor Akihito (L) and Empress Michiko react to the crowd upon their arrival on Dec. 3, 2014, at a community center near the site of an August landslide disaster in the Asaminami district of Hiroshima, western Japan. (Pool photo)

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Emperor, empress visit Hiroshima landslide site

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Emperor Akihito (L) and Empress Michiko listen to explanations by a local official during a visit on Dec. 3, 2014, to the site of an August landslide disaster in the Asaminami district of Hiroshima, western Japan.

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Oda, 3 rivals vie for Japan golf tour money title

TOKYO, Japan - The top four money leaders on the men's Japan Golf Tour vow in front of the trophy to put up a good fight on Dec. 3, 2014, on the eve of the start of the season-ending Golf Nippon Series JT Cup at the Tokyo Yomiuri Country Club in western Tokyo. (From L) Tomohiro Kondo, Komei Oda, Hiroyuki Fujita and Hiroshi Iwata.

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Gunze aims to commercialize regenerative blood vessels

AYABE, Japan - Masakazu Suzuki, director of Gunze Ltd.'s quality of life research center, shows a tube for producing fiber-engineered blood vessels during a press tour of the facility in Ayabe, Kyoto Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 3, 2014. The apparel company aims to commercialize the world's first regenerative blood vessels in the United States by 2016.

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Kubota aims to break into world's top farm machinery makers

OSAKA, Japan - Masatoshi Kimata, president of Kubota Corp., is interviewed by Kyodo News on Dec. 3, 2014, in Osaka. Kimata said the company aims to boost its group sales by about 30 percent over the next three years and become one of the world's top three makers of agricultural machinery.

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Japan launches Hayabusa2 space probe

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - A crowd watches the launch of an H-2A rocket carrying the Hayabusa2 asteroid explorer at 1:22 p.m. on Dec. 3, 2014, near the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan. The liftoff originally slated for Nov. 30 was delayed twice due to adverse weather conditions.

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Taiwan president steps down as party boss

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou announces in Taipei on Dec. 3, 2014, that he is stepping down as chairman of Nationalist Party following the party's resounding defeat in the nationwide local elections Nov. 29.

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Japan launches Hayabusa2 space probe

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Photo shows an H-2A rocket carrying the Hayabusa2 asteroid explorer launching off from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan at 1:22 p.m. on Dec. 3, 2014. The probe will travel to an asteroid 300 million kilometers from Earth to collect rock samples before returning in late 2020.

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Tsunami-hit city makes DVD to pass on lessons to future

SENDAI, Japan - Shuichi Atsumi, head of a municipal library in Higashimatsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, shows on Dec. 3, 2014, two DVDs produced by the northeastern Japan city aimed at passing on to future generations the lessons from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster, which killed about 1,100 people in the city. The not-for-sale DVDs -- 3,000 copies in Japanese and 1,000 copies in English -- have been donated to public libraries nationwide as well as to local and overseas support groups.

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Japan launches Hayabusa2 space probe

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - A crowd observes the launch of an H-2A rocket carrying the Hayabusa2 asteroid explorer on Dec. 3, 2014, near the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan. The liftoff originally slated for Nov. 30 was delayed twice due to adverse weather conditions.

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Japan launches Hayabusa2 space probe

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Photo taken on Dec. 3, 2014, shows the launch of an H-2A rocket carrying the Hayabusa2 asteroid explorer from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan. The probe will travel to an asteroid 300 million kilometers from Earth to reach it in 2018 and collect rock samples before returning to Earth in 2020.

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Nishimuro addresses meeting of Japan-China expert panel

BEIJING, China - Japan Post Holdings Co. President Taizo Nishimuro addresses a meeting of the New Japan-China Friendship Committee for the 21st Century, the first gathering in over three years, as head of the Japanese side at Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on Dec. 3, 2014.

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Japan launches Hayabusa2 space probe

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Photo taken on Dec. 3, 2014, shows the launch of an H-2A rocket carrying the Hayabusa2 asteroid explorer from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan. The probe will travel to an asteroid 300 million kilometers from Earth to reach it in 2018 and collect rock samples before returning to Earth in 2020.

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Japan-China advisory panel holds 1st meet in 3 years

BEIJING, China - Members of the New Japan-China Friendship Committee for the 21st Century, an advisory body to the two governments, meet for the first time in over three years at Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on Dec. 3, 2014.

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Tang addresses meeting of Japan-China expert panel

BEIJING, China - Former Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan speaks at a meeting of the New Japan-China Friendship Committee for the 21st Century, the first gathering in over three years, as head of the Chinese side at Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on Dec. 3, 2014.

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Overseas ballot starts at Japan's diplomatic missions

SEOUL, South Korea - Japanese expats go through voting procedures for the Dec. 14 general election at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, on Dec. 3, 2014, following the opening of overseas ballots for those living abroad at 214 diplomatic missions around the world. Official campaigning for the House of Representatives race started on Dec. 2.

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100 mil. yen calendar featuring "Frozen" unveiled

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken on Dec. 3, 2014, in Tokyo's Ginza shopping district shows a platinum calendar for 2015 featuring the hit Disney movie "Frozen," released by Tanaka Kikinzoku Jewelry K.K. The calendar, priced at 100 million yen, will be displayed at the jeweler's flagship store in Ginza until Dec. 7, and then at other directly-managed stores nationwide.

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Japan-China panel of experts hold 1st meeting in 3 yrs

BEIJING, China - Japan Post Holdings Co. President Taizo Nishimuro (L) and former Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan shake hands at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Dec. 3, 2014. They represented each side of the New Japan-China Friendship Committee for the 21st Century, which is expected to formulate a set of proposals for improved bilateral ties. The formal meeting was held for the first time in more than three years. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Street at Imperial Palace opened to public

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken on Dec. 3, 2014, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows crowds of people walking along a street at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo under colorful autumn leaves, as it was opened for five days to the public to commemorate Emperor Akihito's 80th birthday in December 2013. Around 6,000 people made a line before the opening, the second since the spring, the season of cherry blossoms.

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Overseas ballot starts at Japan's diplomatic missions

BEIJING, China - Japanese expats go through voting procedures for the Dec. 14 general election at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing, China, on Dec. 3, 2014, following the opening of overseas ballots for those living abroad at 214 diplomatic missions around the world. Official campaigning for the House of Representatives race started on Dec. 2.

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Ferry tragedy family members head to Japan

INCHEON, South Korea - The mother of a victim (R) in the recent ferry accident in South Korea prepares to leave Incheon International Airport for Japan on Dec. 3, 2014, to exchange opinions with Japanese families of victims in accidents and disasters and their supporters.

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Northern Japan hit by strong wind, snow

AOMORI, Japan - Photo taken on Dec. 3, 2014, shows the downtown of the northeastern Japan city of Aomori, which has been hit by a cold front.

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Street at Imperial Palace opened to public

TOKYO, Japan - A crowd observes colorful autumn leaves along a street at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Dec. 3, 2014, as it was opened for five days to the public to commemorate Emperor Akihito's 80th birthday in December 2013. Around 6,000 people made a line before the opening, the second since the spring, the season of cherry blossoms.

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Asian Games karate champion visits news photo exhibit

OSAKA, Japan - Kiyo Shimizu (R), who won the gold medal in women's karate kata at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, visits a news photo exhibition on this year's major events at Hanshin Department Store in Osaka, Japan, on Dec. 3, 2014, the opening day of the exhibition.

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Space probe Hayabusa2 to be launched

TANEGASHIMA, Japan - Photo take on Dec. 3, 2014, at the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan shows an H-2A rocket installed with the Hayabusa2 asteroid explorer, which has been set at its launch pad. The rocket is expected to be launched later in the day.