(9)Girl buried in Niigata quake found dead, death toll rises to 34

(9)Girl buried in Niigata quake found dead, death toll rises to 34

OJIYA, Japan - People have their hair cut or washed at a traveling barber's shop in Ojiya on Oct. 28. Ojiya is one of the central Niiga Prefecture towns that have been left heavily damaged by the earthquakes on Oct. 23.

Traffic jams seen on Tokyo-bound highways as return rush peaks

Traffic jams seen on Tokyo-bound highways as return rush peaks

TOKYO, Japan - Long lines of vehicle lights are seen near a toll gate on the Kanetsu Expressway in Niiga, Saitama Prefecture, on Jan. 3 as vacationers return to Tokyo after spending the year-end and New Year holidays in their hometowns or at resorts.

Hasuike starts teaching Korean language class

Hasuike starts teaching Korean language class

KASHIWAZAKI, Japan - Kaoru Hasuike, one of five Japanese nationals repatriated in October 2002 after being abducted to North Korea in 1978, teaches a Korean language class run by a private organization in Kashiwazaki, Niiga Prefecture on Jan. 9, as his wife Yukiko (L) observes. (Pool photo)

(9)Girl buried in Niigata quake found dead, death toll rises to

(9)Girl buried in Niigata quake found dead, death toll rises to

OJIYA, Japan - People have their hair cut or washed at a traveling barber's shop in Ojiya on Oct. 28. Ojiya is one of the central Niiga Prefecture towns that have been left heavily damaged by the earthquakes on Oct. 23. (Kyodo)

Traffic jams seen on Tokyo-bound highways as return rush peaks

Traffic jams seen on Tokyo-bound highways as return rush peaks

TOKYO, Japan - Long lines of vehicle lights are seen near a toll gate on the Kanetsu Expressway in Niiga, Saitama Prefecture, on Jan. 3 as vacationers return to Tokyo after spending the year-end and New Year holidays in their hometowns or at resorts. (Kyodo)

Hasuike starts teaching Korean language class

Hasuike starts teaching Korean language class

KASHIWAZAKI, Japan - Kaoru Hasuike, one of five Japanese nationals repatriated in October 2002 after being abducted to North Korea in 1978, teaches a Korean language class run by a private organization in Kashiwazaki, Niiga Prefecture on Jan. 9, as his wife Yukiko (L) observes. (Pool photo) (Kyodo)