Japanese author Osamu Dazai's eldest daughter

Japanese author Osamu Dazai's eldest daughter

Sonoko Tsushima, the eldest daughter of renowned Japanese author Osamu Dazai, speaks at a celebration marking the 109th anniversary of his birth in Goshogawara, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on June 19, 2018.

Huge lantern features in start of Tachi-neputa festival

Huge lantern features in start of Tachi-neputa festival

GOSHOGAWARA, Japan - A huge lantern progresses along a shopping street in Goshogawara, Aomori Prefecture, on Aug. 4 as the 5-day Goshogawara Tachi-neputa summer festival begins.

Giant float paraded at festival in northern Japan

Giant float paraded at festival in northern Japan

GOSHOGAWARA, Japan - One of 16 lanterns with effigies of samurai warriors on floats, the biggest of them over 20 meters high, is paraded through a street of Goshogawara in Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan, at an annual "Tachi-neputa" float festival amid constant chanting "Go get 'em" by dancers in "yukata" light cotton summer kimono on Aug. 4, 2014.

101st anniversary of novelist Dazai's birth

101st anniversary of novelist Dazai's birth

GOSHOGAWARA, Japan - Some 400 people celebrate the 101st anniversary of the birth of novelist Osamu Dazai (1909-1948) at a ceremony in his hometown, Goshogawara in Aomori Prefecture, on June 19, 2010.

101st anniversary of novelist Dazai's birth

101st anniversary of novelist Dazai's birth

GOSHOGAWARA, Japan - Fans offer flowers at a full-length bronze statue of novelist Osamu Dazai (1909-1948) as some 400 people celebrated the 101st anniversary of his birth at a ceremony in his hometown, Goshogawara in Aomori Prefecture, on June 19, 2010.

Statue unveiled to mark centennial of novelist Dazai's birth

Statue unveiled to mark centennial of novelist Dazai's birth

GOSHOGAWARA, Japan - Sonoko Tsushima (3rd from R), the 68-year-old daughter of novelist Osamu Dazai (1909-1948), attends a ceremony to unveil a life-size bronze statue of Dazai in his hometown of Goshogawara, Aomori Prefecture, on June 19. Several hundred fans and guests attended the ceremony to mark the centennial of Dazai's birth.

N. Korean 'defector' found to possess small amount of amphetamine

N. Korean 'defector' found to possess small amount of amphetamine

GOSHOGAWARA, Japan - A publicity officer speaks with reporters about the four people, thought to be North Koreans seeking asylum, who arrived in Aomori Prefecture in a small boat during a briefing session at the Aomori Prefecutural Police Department on June 4. One of the four was found to be in possession of a minute amount of amphetamine, police sources said.