2 ibis chicks in Niigata given names

2 ibis chicks in Niigata given names

TOKYO, Japan - Environment Agency chief Kayoko Shimizu reveals the names July 3 given to two chicks recently born to a pair of endangered crested ibises donated to Japan by China -- ''Ai Ai'' (L) for the female and ''Shin Shin'' for the male. The chicks were hatched May 8 and 10 at the Sado Crested Ibis Conservation Center in Sadogashima Island in Niigata Prefecture.

G-8 green ministers in photo session

G-8 green ministers in photo session

OTSU, Japan - Environment ministers from the Group of Eight (G-8) major powers pose for a photo-taking session April 8 at the Chikurin-in park near Lake Biwa in Otsu after finishing the day's discussions on global environment polices toward the 21st century. Cherry trees are in full blossom at the park. Fifth from left is Japan's Environment Agency chief Kayoko Shimizu, who chaired the session.

G-8 green ministers begin 3-day meeting

G-8 green ministers begin 3-day meeting

OTSU, Japan - Environment ministers of the Group of Eight (G-8) major nations and the European Union (EU) commissioner responsible for the environment kick off a three-day meeting on April 7 at Lake Biwa in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, to help ratify the Kyoto Protocol at an early date. The photo shows Japan's Environment Agency chief Kayoko Shimizu (front, 2nd from L) and other ministers.

G-8 green ministers begin 3-day meeting

G-8 green ministers begin 3-day meeting

OTSU, Japan - Environment ministers of the Group of Eight (G-8) major nations and the European Union (EU) commissioner responsible for the environment kick off a three-day meeting on April 7 at Lake Biwa in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, to help ratify the Kyoto Protocol at an early date. The photo shows Japan's Environment Agency chief Kayoko Shimizu (front, 2nd from L) and other ministers.

Japan, China, S. Korea environment ministers sign communique

Japan, China, S. Korea environment ministers sign communique

BEIJING, China - Environment ministers from Japan, China and South Korea sign Feb. 27 in Beijing a communique on cooperation to fight sea pollution and to prevent pollution of lakes and marshes. Sitting from left are Japanese Environment Agency Director General Kayoko Shimizu, Xie Zhenhua, director of the Chinese State Administration of Environment Protection, and South Korean Environment Minister Kim Myung Ja.