Wreckage of Christchurch cathedral in New Zealand

Wreckage of Christchurch cathedral in New Zealand

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand - A cathedral in Christchurch, New Zealand, is still left wrecked on July 7, 2014, three and a half years after a major earthquake hit the city in 2011.

Abe in NZ

Abe in NZ

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L center) and his wife Akie (R center) bow after offering flowers at the site where the Canterbury Television building stood, in Christchurch, New Zealand, on July 7, 2014, to mourn the 185 victims, including 28 Japanese students, of an earthquake in 2011.

Abe in NZ

Abe in NZ

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) and his wife Akie (C) offer flowers at the site where the Canterbury Television building stood, in Christchurch, New Zealand, on July 7, 2014, to mourn the 185 victims, including 28 Japanese students, of an earthquake in 2011.

Nagoya basho 1st day

Nagoya basho 1st day

NAGOYA, Japan - Makuuchi division debutant Tokushoryu (L) pushes Chinese wrestler Sokokurai out of the ring on July 7, 2013, the first day of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium. Sokokurai was fired due to accusations of bout rigging in 2011 but reinstated in April 2013 after a court ruled his dismissal invalid.

Japan gov't planning to buy disputed isles

Japan gov't planning to buy disputed isles

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in June 2011 shows (from L to R) Minamikojima Island, Kitakojima Island and Uotsuri Island, part of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. The Japanese government is planning to buy some of the disputed islands, also claimed by China and Taiwan, from a private owner in a bid to increase its control over the islands, government sources said July 7, 2012.

Japan gov't planning to buy disputed isles

Japan gov't planning to buy disputed isles

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in June 2011 shows (from front to back) Minamikojima Island, Kitakojima Island and Uotsuri Island, part of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. The Japanese government is planning to buy some of the disputed islands, also claimed by China and Taiwan, from a private owner in a bid to increase its control over the islands, government sources said July 7, 2012.

Fluid removed from emperor's chest

Fluid removed from emperor's chest

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken July 16, 2011, shows Japanese Emperor Akihito. The 78-year-old emperor underwent a procedure on March 7, 2012, to remove fluid from his chest that had accumulated since his heart bypass surgery in the previous month, the Imperial Household Agency said.

Amur leopard at Yokohama zoo

Amur leopard at Yokohama zoo

YOKOHAMA, Japan - A 2-year-old male Amur leopard is on the prowl at Zoorasia Yokohama Zoological Gardens in Yokohama on Aug. 7, 2011. The feline of the species in danger of extinction, which was moved to its new home from Hiroshima City Asa Zoological Park in Hiroshima in June, began appearing before the public in late July.

Singer Joe Yamanaka dies

Singer Joe Yamanaka dies

TOKYO, Japan - File photo shows singer Joe Yamanaka singing the theme song of the 1977 Japanese movie ''Ningen no Shomei'' (Proof of the Man) during the recording of its soundtrack in Roppongi, Tokyo, in July 1977. Yamanaka died of lung cancer on Aug. 7, 2011 at age 64.

St. Pancras International in London

St. Pancras International in London

LONDON, Britain - Photo shows the five rings, the symbols of the Olympic, displayed at St. Pancras International station in London on July 7, 2011, about a year before the opening of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Parents set up fund to keep daughter's memory alive

Parents set up fund to keep daughter's memory alive

MIDLOTHIAN, United States - Andy (R) and Jeanne Anderson talk about memories of their daughter, Taylor, who died at the age of 24 in the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan, showing mementos at their home in Virginia on July 7, 2011.

Suu Kyi on her long-awaited vacation

Suu Kyi on her long-awaited vacation

BAGAN, Myanmar - Aung San Suu Kyi smiles, surrounded by supporters, in Bagan, Myanmar, on July 7, 2011. The Nobel Peace laureate was visiting the ancient temple complex on her first trip outside Yangon since being released last year from seven years of house arrest.

Minnesota Twins win with Nishioka's hit

Minnesota Twins win with Nishioka's hit

CHICAGO, United States - Tsuyoshi Nishioka of the Minnesota Twins hits a run-scoring single in the second inning of the game against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago on July 7, 2011. Nishioka went 2-for-4 as the Twins won 6-2.

North Korean IOC member's visit to Japan

North Korean IOC member's visit to Japan

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Ro Jong Su, a North Korean Foreign Ministry researcher, speaks during an interview with Kyodo News in Pyongyang on July 7, 2011. Ro said he hopes North Korean International Olympic Committee member Jang Ung's planned visit to Japan will lead to a resumption of bilateral talks.

Space Shuttle Atlantis

Space Shuttle Atlantis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Untied States - The space shuttle Atlantis is on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on July 7, 2011, before its last mission.

Space Shuttle Atlantis

Space Shuttle Atlantis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Untied States - The space shuttle Atlantis is on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on July 7, 2011, before its last mission.

IHI to launch R&D firm for algae biofuel

IHI to launch R&D firm for algae biofuel

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows algae biofuel (front) and a bottle containing algae at the headquarters of heavy machinery maker IHI Corp. in Tokyo on July 7, 2011. The company said it will jointly establish a research and development company for algae biofuel in early August with a university venture, eyeing commercial production in fiscal 2020.

Japan destroyer in India

Japan destroyer in India

KOCHI, India - The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Umigiri makes a port call at Kochi, India, on July 7, 2011.

Cameron meets Japan business leader

Cameron meets Japan business leader

LONDON, Britain - Hiromasa Yonekura (L), head of the Japan Business Federation, Japan's largest business lobby known as Keidanren, meets British Prime Minister David Cameron (back R) on promoting the conclusion of an economic partnership agreement between Japan and the European Union in London on July 7, 2011. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

Rakuten to begin e-book distribution service

Rakuten to begin e-book distribution service

TOKYO, Japan - Rakuten Inc. demonstrates an electronic book distribution service in Tokyo on July 7, 2011. The leading Japanese online shopping mall operator plans to launch the service in early August, offering more than 10,000 titles at first for an e-book reader handset due to be simultaneously released by Panasonic Corp.

Japan's antipiracy base in Djibouti

Japan's antipiracy base in Djibouti

DJIBOUTI, Djibouti - A ceremony is held to mark the opening of new facilities at a base operated by Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force in Djibouti on July 7, 2011. The base, Japan's first full-scale overseas base, is being used for an antipiracy mission off Somalia.

Huge mattress in India

Huge mattress in India

MUMBAI, India - Indian furniture maker Godrej Interio shows its 30-meter-long mattress to reporters in Mumbai, India, on July 7, 2011.

Ai Miyazato makes good start at U.S. Women's Open

Ai Miyazato makes good start at U.S. Women's Open

COLORADO SPRINGS, United States - Japanese professional golfer Ai Miyazato pumps her fist after birdying the fifth hole on the first round of the U.S. Women's Open at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on July 7, 2011. Miyazato was at 1-under through 15 holes when first-round play was suspended due to thunderstorms.

Japan defender Inoha at Croatia's Hajduk Split

Japan defender Inoha at Croatia's Hajduk Split

BAD KLEINKIRCHHEIM, Austria - Japan defender Masahiko Inoha (L) shows his new jersey at a press conference on his transfer from Japan's Kashima Antlers to Croatia's Hajduk Split at the team's camp in Bad Kleinkirchheim, Austria, on July 7, 2011.

Star Festival illuminations in Osaka river

Star Festival illuminations in Osaka river

OSAKA, Japan - The Okawa river in Osaka, western Japan, is decorated by light-emitting diodes on the Star Festival evening on July 7, 2011.

S. Korea to host 2018 Olympics

S. Korea to host 2018 Olympics

PYEONGCHANG, South Korea - Children cerebrate in Pyeongchang, South Korea, on July 7, 2011, after the International Olympic Committee selected the city as host of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.

Star Festival illuminations in Osaka river

Star Festival illuminations in Osaka river

OSAKA, Japan - The Okawa river in Osaka, western Japan, is decorated by light-emitting diodes on the Star Festival evening on July 7, 2011.

ANA-affiliated low-cost carrier gets business license

ANA-affiliated low-cost carrier gets business license

TOKYO, Japan - Peach Aviation Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Shinichi Inoue (R front) receives a business license at the transport ministry in Tokyo on July 7, 2011. Peach Aviation is a Japanese low-cost carrier owned partially by All Nippon Airways Co.

Japan's antipiracy base in Djibouti

Japan's antipiracy base in Djibouti

DJIBOUTI, Djibouti - Djibouti Prime Minister Dileita Mohamed Dileita (front L) enters the venue of a ceremony to mark the opening of new facilities at a base operated by Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force in Djibouti on July 7, 2011. The base, Japan's first full-scale overseas base, is being used for an antipiracy mission off Somalia.

Mitsuoka Motor recruits firms to road-test 3-wheel EV

Mitsuoka Motor recruits firms to road-test 3-wheel EV

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows a three-wheel electric vehicle made by Mitsuoka Motor Co. in Tokyo on July 7, 2011. The company announced a plan to recruit local businesses to road-test the vehicle, called the Like-T3, which has been jointly developed with a subsidiary of GS Yuasa Corp.

Restart of Genkai reactors put on hold

Restart of Genkai reactors put on hold

GENKAI, Japan - Hideo Kishimoto, mayor of the town of Genkai, Saga Prefecture, speaks at a press conference in the town on July 7, 2011. He retracted earlier approval for the restart of two reactors at the Genkai nuclear power plant, which were shut down for regular checkups.

New Omron president

New Omron president

KYOTO, Japan - New Omron Corp. President Yoshihito Yamada speaks in a press conference in Kyoto on July 7, 2011.

Chinese tourists with multiple-entry visas

Chinese tourists with multiple-entry visas

NAHA, Japan - Chinese tourists with visas allowing multiple entries to Japan over a three-year period arrive at Naha airport in Okinawa Prefecture on July 7, 2011. They left Shanghai the previous day. The issuance of the visas, which require the recipients to visit Okinawa Prefecture during their first trip, is aimed at boosting visitor numbers to Japan, which have dropped since the March earthquake and tsunami.

Chinese tourists with multiple-entry visas

Chinese tourists with multiple-entry visas

NAHA, Japan - Chinese tourists with visas allowing multiple entries to Japan over a three-year period arrive at Naha airport in Okinawa Prefecture on July 7, 2011. They left Shanghai the previous day. The issuance of the visas, which require the recipients to visit Okinawa Prefecture during their first trip, is aimed at boosting visitor numbers to Japan, which have dropped since the March earthquake and tsunami.

Japanese English teachers head to U.S.

Japanese English teachers head to U.S.

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese English teachers attend a farewell ceremony at the education ministry in Tokyo in July 7, 2011, before departing later this month for the Untied States. A total of 96 Japanese teachers of English are headed to the United States on a six-month training program sponsored by the Japanese government.

Suit against Genkai nuclear plant

Suit against Genkai nuclear plant

SAGA, Japan - Plaintiffs enter the Saga District Court in the city of Saga on July 7, 2011, to file a motion seeking a temporary court order banning the restart of the No. 2 and 3 reactors of the Genkai nuclear power plant in Saga Prefecture.

S. Korea to host 2018 Olympics

S. Korea to host 2018 Olympics

PYEONGCHANG, South Korea - People cerebrate in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in the early hours of July 7, 2011, after the International Olympic Committee selected the city as host of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. A man is seen holding South Korea's national flag.

Ogasawara Islands to be World Heritage sites

Ogasawara Islands to be World Heritage sites

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in July 2008 shows Minamijima Island, part of the Ogasawara Islands off Tokyo. An advisory panel to UNESCO has recommended registering the islands and the Hiraizumi area in northeastern Japan as World Heritage sites, the Japanese government said May 7, 2011.