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Zelensky Calls For Increased Air Defence After Chernihiv Strike - Brussels

Handout photo shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressing the European council meeting participants on April 17, 2024 in Brussels, Belgium. Zelensky called for urgent assistance with air defense systems in order to counter daily Russian attacks. During a teleconference address to the leaders of EU countries, Zelensky began by mentioning the recent attack on Chernihiv, which resulted in significant casualties and extensive damage to civilian infrastructure. Zelensky noted the disparity between responses to Ukraine versus Israel, highlighting that while Ukraine defends its airspace alone, allied countries jointly shot down almost all drones and missiles Iran fired at Israel a few days ago. Photo by Ukrainian Presidency via ABACAPRESS.COM

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Zelensky Calls For Increased Air Defence After Chernihiv Strike - Brussels

Handout photo shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressing the European council meeting participants on April 17, 2024 in Brussels, Belgium. Zelensky called for urgent assistance with air defense systems in order to counter daily Russian attacks. During a teleconference address to the leaders of EU countries, Zelensky began by mentioning the recent attack on Chernihiv, which resulted in significant casualties and extensive damage to civilian infrastructure. Zelensky noted the disparity between responses to Ukraine versus Israel, highlighting that while Ukraine defends its airspace alone, allied countries jointly shot down almost all drones and missiles Iran fired at Israel a few days ago. Photo by Ukrainian Presidency via ABACAPRESS.COM

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Zelensky Calls For Increased Air Defence After Chernihiv Strike - Brussels

Handout photo shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressing the European council meeting participants as European Council President Charles Michel looks on, on April 17, 2024 in Brussels, Belgium. Zelensky called for urgent assistance with air defense systems in order to counter daily Russian attacks. During a teleconference address to the leaders of EU countries, Zelensky began by mentioning the recent attack on Chernihiv, which resulted in significant casualties and extensive damage to civilian infrastructure. Zelensky noted the disparity between responses to Ukraine versus Israel, highlighting that while Ukraine defends its airspace alone, allied countries jointly shot down almost all drones and missiles Iran fired at Israel a few days ago. Photo by Ukrainian Presidency via ABACAPRESS.COM

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U.S.-WASHINGTON, D.C.-DOROTHEA LANGE-EXHIBITION

(240103) -- WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on Jan. 3, 2024 shows Dorothea Lange's artworks at the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the United States. Featuring some 100 photographs, the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People addresses Lange's innovative approaches to picturing people, emphasizing her work on social issues including economic disparity, migration, poverty, and racism. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

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U.S.-WASHINGTON, D.C.-DOROTHEA LANGE-EXHIBITION

(240103) -- WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 2024 (Xinhua) -- People attend the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 3, 2024. Featuring some 100 photographs, the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People addresses Lange's innovative approaches to picturing people, emphasizing her work on social issues including economic disparity, migration, poverty, and racism. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

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U.S.-WASHINGTON, D.C.-DOROTHEA LANGE-EXHIBITION

(240103) -- WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on Jan. 3, 2024 shows Dorothea Lange's artworks at the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the United States. Featuring some 100 photographs, the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People addresses Lange's innovative approaches to picturing people, emphasizing her work on social issues including economic disparity, migration, poverty, and racism. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

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U.S.-WASHINGTON, D.C.-DOROTHEA LANGE-EXHIBITION

(240103) -- WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 2024 (Xinhua) -- People attend the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 3, 2024. Featuring some 100 photographs, the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People addresses Lange's innovative approaches to picturing people, emphasizing her work on social issues including economic disparity, migration, poverty, and racism. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

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U.S.-WASHINGTON, D.C.-DOROTHEA LANGE-EXHIBITION

(240103) -- WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 2024 (Xinhua) -- People attend the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 3, 2024. Featuring some 100 photographs, the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People addresses Lange's innovative approaches to picturing people, emphasizing her work on social issues including economic disparity, migration, poverty, and racism. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

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U.S.-WASHINGTON, D.C.-DOROTHEA LANGE-EXHIBITION

(240103) -- WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 2024 (Xinhua) -- People attend the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 3, 2024. Featuring some 100 photographs, the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People addresses Lange's innovative approaches to picturing people, emphasizing her work on social issues including economic disparity, migration, poverty, and racism. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

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U.S.-WASHINGTON, D.C.-DOROTHEA LANGE-EXHIBITION

(240103) -- WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 2024 (Xinhua) -- People attend the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 3, 2024. Featuring some 100 photographs, the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People addresses Lange's innovative approaches to picturing people, emphasizing her work on social issues including economic disparity, migration, poverty, and racism. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

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U.S.-WASHINGTON, D.C.-DOROTHEA LANGE-EXHIBITION

(240103) -- WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 2024 (Xinhua) -- People attend the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 3, 2024. Featuring some 100 photographs, the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People addresses Lange's innovative approaches to picturing people, emphasizing her work on social issues including economic disparity, migration, poverty, and racism. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

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U.S.-WASHINGTON, D.C.-DOROTHEA LANGE-EXHIBITION

(240103) -- WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Dorothea Lange's artwork Human Erosion in California (Migrant Mother) (1st L) is seen at the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 3, 2024. Featuring some 100 photographs, the exhibition Dorothea Lange: Seeing People addresses Lange's innovative approaches to picturing people, emphasizing her work on social issues including economic disparity, migration, poverty, and racism. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

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China's contemporary art exhibition in Pakistan unites cultures, ignites creative inspiration

STORY: China's contemporary art exhibition in Pakistan unites cultures, ignites creative inspiration SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 7, 2023 DATELINE: Nov. 12, 2023 LENGTH: 0:02:33 LOCATION: Islamabad CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the art exhibition 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): HUDA ABDUL BASIT, Pakistani art enthusiast 3. various of the art exhibition 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SYED JAMAL SHAH, Pakistan's caretaker Minister for National Heritage and Culture 5. various of the art exhibition STORYLINE: Huda Abdul Basit, a student of English literature and a passionate art enthusiast, was deeply engrossed in the paintings by Chinese artists displayed at an exhibition in the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) underway in Islamabad. The 22-year-old noticed a striking disparity between the works of Pakistani and Chinese art, primarily due to the dominant use of black color in the Chinese paintings, but simultaneously, she found the contrast intriguing because it presented a more audacious portrayal o

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Disparity in aid reveals hypocrisy of U.S. policy

STORY: Disparity in aid reveals hypocrisy of U.S. policy DATELINE: Oct. 28, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:42 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the United States 2. SOUNDBITE (English): ERIC GARRIS, Director of Antiwar.com 3. various of the United States STORYLINE: On Oct. 18, U.S. President Joe Biden announced 100 million U.S. dollars in humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians during his visit to Israel. Two days later, the White House asked Congress for 106 billion dollars for military aid to Israel, Ukraine, and other purposes. The 1,000-time aid difference speaks clearly of the U.S. priorities: geopolitical interests over humanitarian causes. SOUNDBITE (English): ERIC GARRIS, Director of Antiwar.com "It's very dangerous what they're (the U.S. administration) doing all over the world. We spend so much of our tax dollars on war. All the government seems to be interested in is to stoke tensions and be the bully." And even when the U.S. committed to providing aid to developing countri

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China, like-minded countries call for better social security systems for aged population

STORY: China, like-minded countries call for better social security systems for aged population DATELINE: Oct. 5, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:50 LOCATION: GENEVA, Switzerland CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the 54th session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council 2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): CHEN XU, Head of the Chinese Mission to the United Nations (UN) at Geneva 3. various of Palace of Nations STORYLINE: China on Wednesday delivered a joint statement on behalf of some 80 countries at the 54th session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, calling for better social security systems for the aged population. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): CHEN XU, Head of the Chinese Mission to the United Nations (UN) at Geneva "As population aging accelerates around the world, inadequacies in our social support systems are becoming more prominent, including sustainability of social security policy, regional disparity of old-age care and support, and age-based discrimination against older persons." "The right to

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CHINA-LIAONING-SHENYANG-DISABLED MAN (CN)

(230521) -- SHENYANG, May 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Qiang gives guidance for the intellectually-challenged during exercise in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 18, 2023. When Zhao Qiang was two years old, he developed a disease which gradually resulted a 23-centimeter disparity between two legs. He fixed a small stool on the sole of left foot at the suggestion of his family and adapted to walking with it. Zhao Qiang had to drop out early due to the disease but after hard work, he was admitted to Northeastern University, majoring in computer for continuing education. Zhao Qiang has worked for the disabled since 2008, bringing hope while caring for others. Early this year, he got married with his girlfriend. "Many of my dreams came true. I am content and happy," He said. (Xinhua/Cai Xiangxin)

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CHINA-LIAONING-SHENYANG-DISABLED MAN (CN)

(230521) -- SHENYANG, May 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Qiang (L) visits a disabled man in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 18, 2023. When Zhao Qiang was two years old, he developed a disease which gradually resulted a 23-centimeter disparity between two legs. He fixed a small stool on the sole of left foot at the suggestion of his family and adapted to walking with it. Zhao Qiang had to drop out early due to the disease but after hard work, he was admitted to Northeastern University, majoring in computer for continuing education. Zhao Qiang has worked for the disabled since 2008, bringing hope while caring for others. Early this year, he got married with his girlfriend. "Many of my dreams came true. I am content and happy," He said. (Xinhua/Cai Xiangxin)

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CHINA-LIAONING-SHENYANG-DISABLED MAN (CN)

(230521) -- SHENYANG, May 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Qiang (R) is pictured during his wedding ceremony in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 21, 2023. When Zhao Qiang was two years old, he developed a disease which gradually resulted a 23-centimeter disparity between two legs. He fixed a small stool on the sole of left foot at the suggestion of his family and adapted to walking with it. Zhao Qiang had to drop out early due to the disease but after hard work, he was admitted to Northeastern University, majoring in computer for continuing education. Zhao Qiang has worked for the disabled since 2008, bringing hope while caring for others. Early this year, he got married with his girlfriend. "Many of my dreams came true. I am content and happy," He said. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

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CHINA-LIAONING-SHENYANG-DISABLED MAN (CN)

(230521) -- SHENYANG, May 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This combo photo shows Zhao Qiang visiting a community on April 16, 2014 (L, photo taken by Xinhua journalist Yao Jianfeng) and taking a walk on April 18, 2023 in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province. When Zhao Qiang was two years old, he developed a disease which gradually resulted a 23-centimeter disparity between two legs. He fixed a small stool on the sole of left foot at the suggestion of his family and adapted to walking with it. Zhao Qiang had to drop out early due to the disease but after hard work, he was admitted to Northeastern University, majoring in computer for continuing education. Zhao Qiang has worked for the disabled since 2008, bringing hope while caring for others. Early this year, he got married with his girlfriend. "Many of my dreams came true. I am content and happy," He said. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

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CHINA-LIAONING-SHENYANG-DISABLED MAN (CN)

(230521) -- SHENYANG, May 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Qiang ties his shoelace in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 18, 2023. When Zhao Qiang was two years old, he developed a disease which gradually resulted a 23-centimeter disparity between two legs. He fixed a small stool on the sole of left foot at the suggestion of his family and adapted to walking with it. Zhao Qiang had to drop out early due to the disease but after hard work, he was admitted to Northeastern University, majoring in computer for continuing education. Zhao Qiang has worked for the disabled since 2008, bringing hope while caring for others. Early this year, he got married with his girlfriend. "Many of my dreams came true. I am content and happy," He said. (Xinhua/Cai Xiangxin)

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CHINA-LIAONING-SHENYANG-DISABLED MAN (CN)

(230521) -- SHENYANG, May 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Qiang takes a walk at a park in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 20, 2023. When Zhao Qiang was two years old, he developed a disease which gradually resulted a 23-centimeter disparity between two legs. He fixed a small stool on the sole of left foot at the suggestion of his family and adapted to walking with it. Zhao Qiang had to drop out early due to the disease but after hard work, he was admitted to Northeastern University, majoring in computer for continuing education. Zhao Qiang has worked for the disabled since 2008, bringing hope while caring for others. Early this year, he got married with his girlfriend. "Many of my dreams came true. I am content and happy," He said. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

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CHINA-LIAONING-SHENYANG-DISABLED MAN (CN)

(230521) -- SHENYANG, May 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Qiang repairs a stool for his shoe in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 18, 2023. When Zhao Qiang was two years old, he developed a disease which gradually resulted a 23-centimeter disparity between two legs. He fixed a small stool on the sole of left foot at the suggestion of his family and adapted to walking with it. Zhao Qiang had to drop out early due to the disease but after hard work, he was admitted to Northeastern University, majoring in computer for continuing education. Zhao Qiang has worked for the disabled since 2008, bringing hope while caring for others. Early this year, he got married with his girlfriend. "Many of my dreams came true. I am content and happy," He said. (Xinhua/Cai Xiangxin)

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CHINA-LIAONING-SHENYANG-DISABLED MAN (CN)

(230521) -- SHENYANG, May 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Qiang (L) prepares food for the intellectually-challenged in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 18, 2023. When Zhao Qiang was two years old, he developed a disease which gradually resulted a 23-centimeter disparity between two legs. He fixed a small stool on the sole of left foot at the suggestion of his family and adapted to walking with it. Zhao Qiang had to drop out early due to the disease but after hard work, he was admitted to Northeastern University, majoring in computer for continuing education. Zhao Qiang has worked for the disabled since 2008, bringing hope while caring for others. Early this year, he got married with his girlfriend. "Many of my dreams came true. I am content and happy," He said. (Xinhua/Cai Xiangxin)

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CHINA-LIAONING-SHENYANG-DISABLED MAN (CN)

(230521) -- SHENYANG, May 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Qiang records audio book at home in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 18, 2023. When Zhao Qiang was two years old, he developed a disease which gradually resulted a 23-centimeter disparity between two legs. He fixed a small stool on the sole of left foot at the suggestion of his family and adapted to walking with it. Zhao Qiang had to drop out early due to the disease but after hard work, he was admitted to Northeastern University, majoring in computer for continuing education. Zhao Qiang has worked for the disabled since 2008, bringing hope while caring for others. Early this year, he got married with his girlfriend. "Many of my dreams came true. I am content and happy," He said. (Xinhua/Cai Xiangxin)

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CHINA-LIAONING-SHENYANG-DISABLED MAN (CN)

(230521) -- SHENYANG, May 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Qiang walks outside in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 18, 2023. When Zhao Qiang was two years old, he developed a disease which gradually resulted a 23-centimeter disparity between two legs. He fixed a small stool on the sole of left foot at the suggestion of his family and adapted to walking with it. Zhao Qiang had to drop out early due to the disease but after hard work, he was admitted to Northeastern University, majoring in computer for continuing education. Zhao Qiang has worked for the disabled since 2008, bringing hope while caring for others. Early this year, he got married with his girlfriend. "Many of my dreams came true. I am content and happy," He said. (Xinhua/Cai Xiangxin)

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CHINA-LIAONING-SHENYANG-DISABLED MAN (CN)

(230521) -- SHENYANG, May 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This combo photo shows Zhao Qiang talking with colleague on April 16, 2014 (L, photo taken by Xinhua journalist Yao Jianfeng) and tutoring an intellectually-challenged person on April 18, 2023 in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province. When Zhao Qiang was two years old, he developed a disease which gradually resulted a 23-centimeter disparity between two legs. He fixed a small stool on the sole of left foot at the suggestion of his family and adapted to walking with it. Zhao Qiang had to drop out early due to the disease but after hard work, he was admitted to Northeastern University, majoring in computer for continuing education. Zhao Qiang has worked for the disabled since 2008, bringing hope while caring for others. Early this year, he got married with his girlfriend. "Many of my dreams came true. I am content and happy," He said. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

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CHINA-LIAONING-SHENYANG-DISABLED MAN (CN)

(230521) -- SHENYANG, May 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Qiang (L) is pictured during his wedding ceremony in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 21, 2023. When Zhao Qiang was two years old, he developed a disease which gradually resulted a 23-centimeter disparity between two legs. He fixed a small stool on the sole of left foot at the suggestion of his family and adapted to walking with it. Zhao Qiang had to drop out early due to the disease but after hard work, he was admitted to Northeastern University, majoring in computer for continuing education. Zhao Qiang has worked for the disabled since 2008, bringing hope while caring for others. Early this year, he got married with his girlfriend. "Many of my dreams came true. I am content and happy," He said. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

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CHINA-LIAONING-SHENYANG-DISABLED MAN (CN)

(230521) -- SHENYANG, May 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Qiang prepares to drive home in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 18, 2023. When Zhao Qiang was two years old, he developed a disease which gradually resulted a 23-centimeter disparity between two legs. He fixed a small stool on the sole of left foot at the suggestion of his family and adapted to walking with it. Zhao Qiang had to drop out early due to the disease but after hard work, he was admitted to Northeastern University, majoring in computer for continuing education. Zhao Qiang has worked for the disabled since 2008, bringing hope while caring for others. Early this year, he got married with his girlfriend. "Many of my dreams came true. I am content and happy," He said. (Xinhua/Cai Xiangxin)

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CHINA-LIAONING-SHENYANG-DISABLED MAN (CN)

(230521) -- SHENYANG, May 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This combo photo shows Zhao Qiang reading a book in Northeastern University on June 5, 2014 (L, photo taken by Xinhua journalist Yao Jianfeng) and reading at home on April 18, 2023 in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province. When Zhao Qiang was two years old, he developed a disease which gradually resulted a 23-centimeter disparity between two legs. He fixed a small stool on the sole of left foot at the suggestion of his family and adapted to walking with it. Zhao Qiang had to drop out early due to the disease but after hard work, he was admitted to Northeastern University, majoring in computer for continuing education. Zhao Qiang has worked for the disabled since 2008, bringing hope while caring for others. Early this year, he got married with his girlfriend. "Many of my dreams came true. I am content and happy," He said. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

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Analysts expect Malaysia's CPO prices to ease in 2023

STORY: Analysts expect Malaysia's CPO prices to ease in 2023 DATELINE: Feb. 14, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:35 LOCATION: Kuala Lumpur CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of palm trees plantation area 2. various of backhoe loader gathering palm fruits 3. various of palm fruits 4. various of trucks carrying bunch of palm fruits on the road STORYLINE: Crude palm oil (CPO) prices in Malaysia are projected to ease in 2023 on stocks normalization, analysts foresaw on Monday. MIDF Research said in a note that it expects Malaysian local delivery prices for CPO to be lower in 2023, ranging between 3,000 ringgit (687.76 U.S. dollars) and 4,000 ringgit, on the expectation of normalization closing stocks of 2 million tonnes to 2.1 million tonnes. It said the CPO price is expected to trade volatile in February to March at circa 3,500 ringgit per tonne to 4,000 ringgit per tonne, benefiting from price disparity between CPO against soybean oil price which to date amounted to 445 U.S. dollars per tonne and 3 years average of

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Supreme Court of Japan

Photo taken on Jan. 25, 2023, shows the Supreme Court's Grand Bench in Tokyo. On the same day, the top court delivered a ruling that the 2021 Lower House election was constitutional in terms of vote-value disparity. (Pool photo)

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Supreme Court of Japan

Photo taken on Jan. 25, 2023, shows the Supreme Court's Grand Bench in Tokyo. On the same day, the top court delivered a ruling that the 2021 Lower House election was constitutional in terms of vote-value disparity. (Pool photo)

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Osaka court rules July election vote gap unconstitutional

OSAKA, Japan - Lawyers hold a sign saying the Osaka High Court has ruled the July 2013 House of Councillors election unconstitutional, in front of the court in Osaka on Dec. 18, 2013. The high court said the disparity of up to 4.77-fold in the weight of votes in the election was unconstitutional but dismissed the plaintiffs' demand that election results in six western Japan constituencies be nullified.

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Lawsuit filed to nullify election outcome over vote disparity

OSAKA, Japan - Lawyers head for the Osaka High Court in Osaka, western Japan, on Dec. 25, 2014, to file a lawsuit seeking to nullify the results of the House of Representatives election on Dec. 14 for the Nara No. 4 constituency because of the disparity in the weight of votes.

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Lawyers file suits to nullify election results

TOKYO, Japan - Lawyers attend a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 15, 2014, after filing a lawsuit to seek to nullify the results of the Dec. 14 general election in Japan because of the disparity in the weight of votes among districts. Two groups of lawyers filed such suits with eight high courts and six branches across Japan.

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Lawyers file suits seeking annulment of general election

HIROSHIMA, Japan - A group of lawyers attends a press conference in the western Japan city of Hiroshima on Dec. 15, 2014, after filing a lawsuit to seek the annulment of the previous day's general election, which was held without correcting the vote-value disparity.

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Lawyers file suits seeking annulment of general election

OKAYAMA, Japan - A group of lawyers heads for the Okayama branch of the Hiroshima High Court in the western Japan city of Okayama on Dec. 15, 2014, to file a lawsuit, seeking the annulment of the previous day's general election, which was held without correcting the vote-value disparity.

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2013 election vote gap in state of unconstitutionality

TOKYO, Japan - Lawyer Hidetoshi Masunaga (C) meets with reporters on Nov. 26, 2014, in Tokyo, after Japan's Supreme Court ruled the disparity in the weight of votes in the 2013 House of Councillors election is in a state of unconstitutionality. Masunaga filed the lawsuit together with other lawyers.

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2013 election vote gap in state of unconstitutionality

TOKYO, Japan - Lawyer Hidetoshi Masunaga (C) meets with reporters on Nov. 26, 2014, in Tokyo, after Japan's Supreme Court ruled the disparity in the weight of votes in the 2013 House of Councillors election is in a state of unconstitutionality. Masunaga filed the lawsuit together with other lawyers.

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2013 election vote gap in state of unconstitutionality

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken on Nov. 26, 2014, shows the grand bench of Japan's Supreme Court in Tokyo, which ruled that the disparity in the weight of votes in the 2013 House of Councillors election is "in a state of unconstitutionality."

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Lawyers make final plea to nullify 2013 poll results

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken Oct. 29, 2014, shows the grand bench of Japan's Supreme Court in Tokyo, at which two groups of lawyers made their final plea over lawsuits they have filed to nullify the results of the 2013 upper house election because of the disparity in the weight of votes.

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High court's ruling on upper house polls

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Photo taken Dec. 5, 2013, shows a courtroom of the Hiroshima High Court in the city of Hiroshima, where the court ruled the same day the disparity in the weight of votes in July's House of Councillors election was "in a state of unconstitutionality," while dismissing the plaintiffs' demand that the electoral results in two western Japan constituencies -- Hiroshima and Yamaguchi prefectures -- be nullified. (Pool photo)

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Court voids poll in western Japan constituency

OKAYAMA, Japan - Lawyers smile outside the Okayama branch of the Hiroshima High Court on Nov. 28, 2013, after the court ruled that the result in the Okayama constituency in July's House of Councillors election should be invalidated due to an unconstitutional disparity in the weight of votes. The decision is the first ruling among 14 similar lawsuits filed with high courts across Japan by groups of lawyers, who have argued the disparity up to 4.77-fold in the July 21 upper house election is against the equal-protection clause under the Constitution.

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Vote disparity in upper house election

HIROSHIMA, Japan - A group of lawyers hold a press conference in the city of Hiroshima on July 22, 2013, after bringing a case to the Hiroshima High Court seeking to invalidate the result for the Hiroshima prefectural district in the previous day's House of Councillors election due to the uncorrected disparity in the weight of votes among constituencies.

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Election reform bill

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (2nd from R) and members of his Cabinet applaud at a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on April 23, 2013, after the lower house passed a bill to reform Japan's election system by eliminating several constituencies, responding to court rulings that the current disparity in vote value in the country can be seen as unconstitutional.

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Court decision over vote disparity

AKITA, Japan - Lawyer Hidetoshi Masunaga (C) and other plaintiffs hold a press conference in the city of Akita on March 27, 2013, after the Sendai High Court's Akita branch ruled that a general election result in a northeastern Japan constituency was unconstitutional due to a significant disparity in the weight of votes. The ruling by the court was the last in 16 cases brought by two groups of lawyers over disparities in the weight of votes of up to 2.43 to 1 in the Dec. 16 general election.

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Court rules Dec. election invalid over vote disparity

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Tetsuya Kanao, one of the lawyers who filed a lawsuit claiming the general election held in December 2012 was invalid due to significant disparities in the weight of votes, holds a press conference in Hiroshima on March 25, 2013, after the local high court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs. The Hiroshima High Court ruled the same day that the results of the election in Hiroshima's No. 1 and 2 districts were invalid, becoming the first court in Japan to declare an election result void amid a series of lawsuits over disparities in the weight of votes.

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Vote disparity

TOKYO, Japan - Lawyers who filed a lawsuit over the 2.34 times disparity in the weight of votes seen in the Tokyo No. 1 single-seat constituency in the House of Representatives election December 2012, stand in front of the Tokyo High Court on March 6, 2013, after it ruled the disparity was unconstitutional.

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Vote disparity suit

TOKYO, Japan - Lawyers working a vote disparity suit enter the Supreme Court in Tokyo on Oct. 17, 2012. The top court said the same day that the fivefold disparity in the weight of votes in the 2010 upper house election was "in a state of unconstitutionality."

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'Occupy' protest in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - People take to the streets in Tokyo on Oct. 15, 2011 to protest against income disparity. Movements inspired by the ''Occupy Wall Street'' protest in New York have spread to other parts of the world.