(2)2 Japanese violinists awarded in int'l violin competition

(2)2 Japanese violinists awarded in int'l violin competition

PARIS, France - Kyoko Yonemoto, 18, from Tokyo wins third place in the violin division in the International Marguerite Long and Jacques Thibaud Competition, a major international competition for young pianists and violinists, held in Paris on Nov. 23.

(1)2 Japanese violinists awarded in int'l violin competition

(1)2 Japanese violinists awarded in int'l violin competition

PARIS, France - Akiko Yamada, 16, from Tokyo wins Premier Grand Prix in the violin division in the International Marguerite Long and Jacques Thibaud Competition, a major international competition for young pianists and violinists, held in Paris on Nov. 23.

Empress Michiko, her daughter attend charity concert

Empress Michiko, her daughter attend charity concert

TOKYO, Japan - Empress Michiko (second from L) and her daughter, Princess Sayako (second from R), also known as Princess Nori, attend a charity concert by blind pianist Takeshi Kakehashi at the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall in Tokyo on Nov. 1. Kakehashi won second prize in the 1998 International Marguerite Long and Jacques Thibaud Competition in December last year. (Pool photo)

Japanese pianist tells of his joy

Japanese pianist tells of his joy

Takeshi Kakehashi (L), a Japanese pianist who won the second prize in the International Marguerite Long and Jacques Thibaud Competition on Dec. 5, tells of his joy in a Paris hotel on Dec. 8. The secretariat of the contest said he is the first blind musician to win a prize in the prestigious contest. Smiling at right is his mother Yuko.

(2)2 Japanese violinists awarded in int'l violin competition

(2)2 Japanese violinists awarded in int'l violin competition

PARIS, France - Kyoko Yonemoto, 18, from Tokyo wins third place in the violin division in the International Marguerite Long and Jacques Thibaud Competition, a major international competition for young pianists and violinists, held in Paris on Nov. 23. (Kyodo)

(1)2 Japanese violinists awarded in int'l violin competition

(1)2 Japanese violinists awarded in int'l violin competition

PARIS, France - Akiko Yamada, 16, from Tokyo wins Premier Grand Prix in the violin division in the International Marguerite Long and Jacques Thibaud Competition, a major international competition for young pianists and violinists, held in Paris on Nov. 23. (Kyodo)

Empress Michiko, her daughter attend charity concert

Empress Michiko, her daughter attend charity concert

TOKYO, Japan - Empress Michiko (second from L) and her daughter, Princess Sayako (second from R), also known as Princess Nori, attend a charity concert by blind pianist Takeshi Kakehashi at the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall in Tokyo on Nov. 1. Kakehashi won second prize in the 1998 International Marguerite Long and Jacques Thibaud Competition in December last year.

Japanese pianist tells of his joy

Japanese pianist tells of his joy

Takeshi Kakehashi (L), a Japanese pianist who won the second prize in the International Marguerite Long and Jacques Thibaud Competition on Dec. 5, tells of his joy in a Paris hotel Dec. 8. The secretariat of the contest said he is the first blind musician to win a prize in the prestigious contest. Smiling at right is his mother Yuko. ==Kyodo