New boss monkey takes helm at Oita zoo

New boss monkey takes helm at Oita zoo

OITA, Japan - A monkey mascot (R) at the Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden in Oita, southwestern Japan, accepts a warrant of appointment from Oita Mayor Ban Kugimiya on Feb. 2, 2014, at a ceremony marking the promotion of the garden's No. 2 leader monkey "Zorome" as new boss monkey. Zorome's predecessor "Bentsu" was declared dead in mid-January after going missing the month before.

LDP-backed governor set to win in Oita

LDP-backed governor set to win in Oita

Katsusada Hirose talks with supporters in Oita city on April 12, 2015, after securing victory in the Oita gubernatorial election. Hirose, backed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition, was projected to have defeated Ban Kugimiya, a former Oita city mayor effectively backed by the Democratic Party of Japan. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

LDP-backed governor set to win re-election in Oita

LDP-backed governor set to win re-election in Oita

Katsusada Hirose (C) and his supporters celebrate in Oita city on April 12, 2015, his victory in the Oita gubernatorial election. Hirose, backed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition, was projected to have defeated Ban Kugimiya, a former Oita city mayor effectively backed by the Democratic Party of Japan. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

LDP-backed governor set to win re-election in Oita

LDP-backed governor set to win re-election in Oita

Ban Kugimiya, a former Oita city mayor effectively backed by the Democratic Party of Japan, talks to his supporters after he was defeated in the Oita gubernatorial race by incumbent Katsusada Hirose on April 12, 2015. Hirose was backed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo