Seven & i Holdings reports record 1st half operating profit

Seven & i Holdings reports record 1st half operating profit

TOKYO, Japan - Noritoshi Murata, president and chief operating officer of retail giant Seven & i Holdings Co., briefs reporters on the group's financial results for the March-August half-year period at a news conference in Tokyo on Oct. 2, 2014.

Record reveals Shinsengumi struggled in summer heat

Record reveals Shinsengumi struggled in summer heat

KYOTO, Japan - A woman shows a temple record in Kyoto on Sept. 2, 2014, which revealed that Hijikata Toshizo, deputy commander of the Shinsengumi security force for the Edo shogunate, asked Nishi-Hongwanji, a Buddhist temple where the force was stationed between March 1865 to June 1867 in Kyoto, to provide more space for its members to give them relief from the scorching summer heat.

Records show exchanges between Hijikata, temple

Records show exchanges between Hijikata, temple

KYOTO, Japan - The Hongwanji research center in Kyoto discloses on Sept. 2, 2014, documents including records of exchanges between Hijikata Toshizo, deputy commander of the Shinsengumi security force for the Edo shogunate, and Nishi-Hongwanji, a Buddhist temple where the force was stationed between March 1865 to June 1867 in Kyoto.

Monument on Miyagi mountain for B-29 crashes

Monument on Miyagi mountain for B-29 crashes

SENDAI, Japan - The "Cenotaph of Fubo," built for 34 U.S. crew members who died in crashes of three B-29 bombers on the ridge of Mt. Fubo on March 10, 1945, the day of the so-called Great Tokyo Air Raids, is seen on Aug. 2, 2014, in Shiraishi, Miyagi Prefecture.

H.K. police break up pro-democracy sit-in, arrest 511

H.K. police break up pro-democracy sit-in, arrest 511

HONG KONG, HONG KONG - Police offers drag protesters staging a sit-in on Chater Road in the central business district of Hong Kong on July 2, 2014, to end an overnight standoff following a pro-democracy march the previous day that organizers claim drew 510,000 people.

Model train diorama installed on Shinkansen train

Model train diorama installed on Shinkansen train

FUKUOKA, Japan - A model train diorama is installed on a Sanyo Shinkansen "Kodama" bullet train at West Japan Railway Co.'s rail yard in Fukuoka Prefecture on July 2, 2014. The renovated train will run between Shin-Osaka and Hakata stations from July 19 through March 2015, making one roundtrip a day.

Tsunami-damaged piano returns to elementary school

Tsunami-damaged piano returns to elementary school

KAMAISHI, Japan - A grand piano, washed away from Toni Elementary School in Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, by the devastating tsunami of March 11, 2011, is displayed in the vacated yard of the school after repair on June 2, 2014.

Figure skaters at quake charity event in Kobe

Figure skaters at quake charity event in Kobe

KOBE, Japan - Japanese figure skaters, including Daisuke Takahashi (R) and Mao Asada (2nd from R), observe a moment of silence in honor of victims in the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011 at a charity event to support reconstruction from the disaster held in Kobe on April 2, 2014.

Takahashi, Asada at quake charity event in Kobe

Takahashi, Asada at quake charity event in Kobe

KOBE, Japan - Japanese figure skater Daisuke Takahashi (L) and Mao Asada (2nd from L) ask visitors for donations to support reconstruction from the March 11, 2011, disaster after their performances at a charity event held in Kobe on April 2, 2014.

'Hina' dolls released to river in Tottori, western Japan

'Hina' dolls released to river in Tottori, western Japan

TOTTORI, Japan - Kimono-clad girls release "hina" dolls made of paper into the Sendai River during a traditional event in Tottori, western Japan, to pray for their good health on April 2, 2014. The day fell on March 3 on the old calendar, or Girls' Day.

3 months before World Cup in Brazil

3 months before World Cup in Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Brazilian national soccer team uniforms hang in a locker room at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on March 2, 2014, around three months before the start of the World Cup soccer finals in the country.

New mosque in Crimean Tatar community in Ukraine

New mosque in Crimean Tatar community in Ukraine

SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine - A newly established mosque in a Crimean Tatar community near Simferopol, the administrative center of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in southern Ukraine, as photographed on March 2, 2014.

Rangers' Japanese pitcher Darvish practices in preseason training

Rangers' Japanese pitcher Darvish practices in preseason training

SURPRISE, United States - The Texas Rangers' Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish plays catch during Major League Baseball preseason training in Surprise, Arizona, on March 2, 2014.

Rio Carnival

Rio Carnival

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - A woman dances during the Rio carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 2, 2014.

Japanese Yankees chat during preseason training

Japanese Yankees chat during preseason training

TAMPA, United States - Japanese players of the New York Yankees -- (from L) Masahiro Tanaka, Ichiro Suzuki and Hiroki Kuroda -- chat while warming up for training in Tampa, Florida, on March 2, 2014, ahead of the start of the new Major League Baseball season.

Ukraine's Autonomous Republic of Crimea

Ukraine's Autonomous Republic of Crimea

SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine - Armed men believed to be members of the Russian military but not wearing insignia and Russian residents (R) stand in front of a church adjacent to Ukraine's naval base near Simferopol, the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, southern Ukraine, on March 2, 2014.

Rio Carnival

Rio Carnival

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Photo shows a parade during the Rio carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 2, 2014.

Ukraine's Autonomous Republic of Crimea

Ukraine's Autonomous Republic of Crimea

SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine - An armed man believed to be a member of the Russian military but not wearing insignia stands outside Ukraine's naval base near Simferopol, the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, southern Ukraine, on March 2, 2014.

Ukraine's Autonomous Republic of Crimea

Ukraine's Autonomous Republic of Crimea

SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine - An archbishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church stands in front of the country's naval base near Simferopol, the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, southern Ukraine, on March 2, 2014.

Jeter, Tanaka at Yankees' spring camp in Florida

Jeter, Tanaka at Yankees' spring camp in Florida

TAMPA, United States - Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka (L) of the New York Yankees chats with teammate Derek Jeter at the MLB club's spring training facility in Tampa, Florida, on March 2, 2014, after making his spring debut with the Yankees the day before.

Japan midfielder Honda fights for ball in Juventus match

Japan midfielder Honda fights for ball in Juventus match

MILAN, Italy - Japanese midfielder Keisuke Honda (R) of Italy's AC Milan competes for the ball with Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio in the latter half of a Serie A match in Milan, Italy, on March 2, 2014. Milan lost 0-2.

Milan's Japanese midfielder Honda in action against Juventus

Milan's Japanese midfielder Honda in action against Juventus

MILAN, Italy - Japanese midfielder Keisuke Honda (L) of Italian Serie A football club AC Milan runs with the ball in a match against Juventus on March 2, 2014. On the right is Juventus defender Martin Caceres. Milan lost 0-2.

Mets' Japanese pitcher Matsuzaka in action against Cardinals

Mets' Japanese pitcher Matsuzaka in action against Cardinals

JUPITER, United States - Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka of the New York Mets pitches in a preseason Major League Baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals on March 2, 2014, allowing two hits and one run in two innings. Matsuzaka has signed a minor league deal with the Mets.

China's Kunming after attack

China's Kunming after attack

KUNMING, China - Police officers patrol near Kunming Station in Kunming, Yunnan Province, on March 2, 2014, after an attack the previous night at the railway station that left dozens dead or injured.

Takanashi wins 12th World Cup event of season

Takanashi wins 12th World Cup event of season

RASNOV, Romania - Photo shows Japanese ski jumper Sara Takanashi after posting her 12th World Cup win of the season in Rasnov, Romania, on March 2, 2014.

H.K. protest over violence against press

H.K. protest over violence against press

HONG KONG, China - Thousands of people march in Hong Kong on March 2, 2014, in protest at violence against the press following the brutal stabbing of a veteran newsman. Kevin Lau, former chief editor of Ming Pao Daily, was seriously injured in a cleaver attack in a residential area on Feb. 26, 2014.

Ishigaki mayoral race

Ishigaki mayoral race

NAHA, Japan - Yoshitaka Nakayama (C), the incumbent mayor of Ishigaki in Okinawa Prefecture, celebrates after securing his re-election in the mayoral race in the city on March 2, 2014.

China's Kunming after attack

China's Kunming after attack

KUNMING, China - Security forces stand guard at the site of an attack at Kunming Station in Kunming, Yunnan Province, on March 2, 2014. The attack the previous night left dozens dead or injured.

Ceremony held to send holy water to temple in Nara, Japan

Ceremony held to send holy water to temple in Nara, Japan

TSURUGA, Japan - A Buddhist priest pours holy water into the Onyu River in Obama, Fukui Prefecture on March 2, 2014, as part of a ceremony to send water to the Todai-ji temple in the ancient capital city of Nara. It is believed that the water arrives in a well in the temple's premises 10 days later.

China's Kunming after attack

China's Kunming after attack

KUNMING, China - A female college student undergoes treatment at a hospital in Kunming, Yunnan Province, on March 2, 2014. She suffered a head injury in an attack at Kunming Station the previous night that left dozens dead or injured.

Ukraine's Autonomous Republic of Crimea

Ukraine's Autonomous Republic of Crimea

SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine - Russian residents (L) and armed men stand outside a government building in Simferopol, the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, southern Ukraine, on March 2, 2014.

Ukraine's Autonomous Republic of Crimea

Ukraine's Autonomous Republic of Crimea

SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine - A man holds the Russian national flag at a square in Simferopol, the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, southern Ukraine, on March 2, 2014.

Tiananmen Square placed under strict police guard

Tiananmen Square placed under strict police guard

BEIJING, China - Tiananmen Square in Beijing is placed under strict guard by armed police officers on March 2, 2014, ahead of the March 5 opening of China's parliament, the National People's Congress.

China's Kunming after attack

China's Kunming after attack

KUNMING, China - Security forces stand guard outside Kunming Station in Kunming, Yunnan Province, on March 2, 2014, after an attack the previous night at the railway station that left dozens dead or injured.

Ukraine's Autonomous Republic of Crimea

Ukraine's Autonomous Republic of Crimea

SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine - Armed men stand guard outside a government building in Simferopol, the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, southern Ukraine, on March 2, 2014.

China police on alert ahead of National People's Congress

China police on alert ahead of National People's Congress

BEIJING, China - Armed police officers patrol Tiananmen Square in front of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on March 2, 2014, ahead of the March 5 opening of the National People's Congress.

Armed police officer stands guard at Tiananmen Square

Armed police officer stands guard at Tiananmen Square

BEIJING, China - An armed police officer stands guard at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on March 2, 2014, ahead of the March 5 opening of China's parliament, the National People's Congress.

Fukuhara out of world team c'ships

Fukuhara out of world team c'ships

TOKYO, Japan - Japan's Ai Fukuhara holds a press conference in Tokyo on March 2, 2014. Fukuhara will miss the world team table tennis championships in April due to a stress fracture in the small toe of her left foot.

Japan-N. Korea Red Cross meeting

Japan-N. Korea Red Cross meeting

SHENYANG, China - Osamu Tasaka, director general of the International Department at the Japanese Red Cross Society, arrives at an airport in Shenyang, China, on March 2, 2014, for a meeting of the Red Cross societies of Japan and North Korea.

Fire festival held at Mt. Koya in western Japan

Fire festival held at Mt. Koya in western Japan

HASHIMOTO, Japan - The "Koya Fire Festival" is held at Kongobuji, a Buddhist temple on Mt. Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 2, 2014, to pray for good luck and ward off evil spirits.

Hacking competition held in Tokyo

Hacking competition held in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Computer geeks compete in one of Japan's largest national hacking contests, "SECCON 2013," at Tokyo Denki University in Tokyo on March 2, 2014.

Japan-N. Korea Red Cross meeting

Japan-N. Korea Red Cross meeting

SHENYANG, China - Osamu Tasaka, director general of the International Department at the Japanese Red Cross Society, answers reporters' questions upon arrival at an airport in Shenyang, China, on March 2, 2014, for a meeting of the Red Cross societies of Japan and North Korea.

Japan-N. Korea Red Cross meeting

Japan-N. Korea Red Cross meeting

SHENYANG, China - Keiichi Ono, director of the Northeast Asia Division of the Japanese Foreign Ministry, arrives at an airport in Shenyang, China, on March 2, 2014, to take part in a meeting of the Red Cross societies of Japan and North Korea.

Steamer-led 'SL Ginga' train's inside shown to press

Steamer-led 'SL Ginga' train's inside shown to press

TONO, Japan - The interior of the "SL Ginga" (Steam Locomotive Milky Way) train is shown to the press during a demonstration ride on March 2, 2014, ahead of its April 12 official launch of service. The train made a test run that day between Kamaishi and Tono in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan. On the left wall is a picture of Kenji Miyazawa, an author from the prefecture known for his novel "Night on the Galactic Railroad."

Japanese mountain park's monkey colony gets new boss

Japanese mountain park's monkey colony gets new boss

OITA, Japan - Nanchu, new alpha male of a monkey colony at the Takasaki Mountain Natural Park in Oita, southwestern Japan, eats a sliced apple during his inauguration ceremony on March 2, 2014.

Defense minister visits base

Defense minister visits base

SASEBO, Japan - Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera views a landing drill at a Ground Self-Defense Force base in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on March 2, 2014.

Steamer-led 'SL Ginga' train makes test run

Steamer-led 'SL Ginga' train makes test run

TONO, Japan - The "SL Ginga" (Steam Locomotive Milky Way) train makes a test run on East Japan Railway Co.'s Kamaishi Line in Tono, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on March 2, 2014, ahead of its April 12 official launch of service.

Passengers on 'SL Ginga' train can enjoy planetarium

Passengers on 'SL Ginga' train can enjoy planetarium

TONO, Japan - Passengers on the "SL Ginga" (Steam Locomotive Milky Way) train can watch stars at a small planetarium inside. SL Ginga made a test run between Kamaishi and Tono in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on March 2, 2014, ahead of its April 12 official launch of service.

Sea eagles in northern Japan

Sea eagles in northern Japan

RAUSU, Japan - Steller's sea eagles gather on drift ice off the Shiretoko Peninsula (back) in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on March 2, 2014.

Lake Biwa Marathon

Lake Biwa Marathon

OTSU, Japan - Ethiopia's Bazu Worku holds the victor's trophy after winning the Lake Biwa Marathon in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on March 2, 2014. Second from left is Japan's Satoru Sasaki, who was in second place, and at right is Vincent Kipruto, who was third.