Vatican: St. Peter’s Square Holds Rosary Prayer in Memory of Pope Francis 2

The Vatican held a rosary prayer at St. Peter’s Square on Monday, April 21, and Tuesday, April 22, following the death of Pope Francis. Thousands of Catholics gathered in prayer for the Holy Father, who died at age 88 earlier Monday morning.

Upper house member Hasegawa switches to another new party

Upper house member Hasegawa switches to another new party

TOKYO, Japan - House of Councillors member Kensei Hasegawa (R) speaks to reporters at a hotel in Tokyo on Aug. 24 with Yasuo Tanaka, Nagano governor and leader of new political party Nippon, looking on. Hasegawa said he joined Nippon, switching from the People's New Party.

Ex-LDP critics of postal privatization bills form new party

Ex-LDP critics of postal privatization bills form new party

TOKYO, Japan - Former lower house speaker Tamisuke Watanuki holds a card bearing the name of a new party he formed Aug. 17 with other senior Liberal Democratic Party members who voted against postal privatization bills advocated by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. The Kokumin Shinto party includes former LDP members Shizuka Kamei, his elder brother Hisaoki Kamei, and House of Councillors member Kensei Hasegawa. They left the LDP earlier in the day.

Upper house member Hasegawa switches to another new party

Upper house member Hasegawa switches to another new party

TOKYO, Japan - House of Councillors member Kensei Hasegawa (R) speaks to reporters at a hotel in Tokyo on Aug. 24 with Yasuo Tanaka, Nagano governor and leader of new political party Nippon, looking on. Hasegawa said he joined Nippon, switching from the People's New Party. (Kyodo)

Ex-LDP critics of postal privatization bills form new party

Ex-LDP critics of postal privatization bills form new party

TOKYO, Japan - Former lower house speaker Tamisuke Watanuki holds a card bearing the name of a new party he formed Aug. 17 with other senior Liberal Democratic Party members who voted against postal privatization bills advocated by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. The Kokumin Shinto party includes former LDP members Shizuka Kamei, his elder brother Hisaoki Kamei, and House of Councillors member Kensei Hasegawa. They left the LDP earlier in the day. (Kyodo)