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Yokomine wins Japan LPGA Tour C'ship, claims 1st money title

MIYAZAKI, Japan - Sakura Yokomine poses with the winner's trophies after winning the season-ending Japan LPGA Tour Championship golf tournament at Miyazaki Country Club on Nov. 29, 2009. Yokomine received 25 million yen for her 15th career win to reach a total of 175 million yen, clinching her first money rankings title.

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'World's No. 1' coffee to be offered in Japan

MITO, Japan - This Nov. 25, 2009 photo shows Panama's Esmeralda Especial coffee beans, said to be the world's most expensive coffee, which Japanese cafe chain operator Saza Coffee Co., based in Ibaraki Prefecture, plans to offer for 1,200 yen per cup starting Dec. 2. Saza, which has paid $117.50 per pound for the coffee, 100 times the cost of average coffee beans, became the first company in Japan to buy the high-quality beans through an auction.

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Emperor, empress attend dinner at crown prince's residence

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrive at the Togu Palace, the residence of Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2009, to attend a dinner party to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the emperor's enthronement and the 50th wedding anniversary of the emperor and empress. A total of 46 current and former members of the imperial family attended the party hosted by the crown prince and crown princess.

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Japan storyteller entertains Cambodia students

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - ''Rakugo'' storyteller Katsura Utamaru performs a popular eel restaurant story, ''Shirouto Unagi,'' in Phnom Penh on Nov. 25, 2009. About 400 people including students learning Japanese listened to the comic monologue with English and Cambodian subtitles available, as part of a series of events for Japan-Mekong exchange year.

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Gov't plan to cut tech budget sparks criticism from scientists

TOKYO, Japan - (From L to R) Reona Esaki, the 1973 Nobel laureate in physics, Susumu Tonegawa, the 1987 Nobel laureate in physiology or medicine, Shigefumi Mori, the 1990 winner of the Fields Medal, Ryoji Noyori, the 2001 Nobel laureate in chemistry, and Makoto Kobayashi, the 2008 Nobel laureate in physics, hold a joint news conference at the University of Tokyo in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2009. They severely criticized a government body's recent instruction to slash science and technology-related budget allocations.

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Nobel winner Noyori raps drive to cut science budget

TOKYO, Japan - Nobel chemistry laureate Ryoji Noyori (2nd from R), speaks about a government working group's recommendation to cut the science and technology budget at a news conference in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2009. Noyori said the recommendation lacks insight and will leave Japan trailing behind in scientific fields.

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Abe re-signs with Yomiuri

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Series MVP catcher Shinnosuke Abe smiles during a press conference in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2009, after re-signing with the Central League baseball club Yomiuri Giants. Abe, who decided earlier this month to stay with the Giants and not to file for free agency, will earn an estimated 350 million yen next year, 80 million yen more than last season.

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Int'l meeting stresses Japan's key role in Afghan peace process

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada (L) and Masoom Stanekzai, an adviser to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, shake hands at a Tokyo international meeting on peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan on Nov. 25, 2009.

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Agile robot helps keep office neat and tidy

TOKYO, Japan - This undated photo shows an office cleaning robot that Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. and Sumitomo Corp. unveiled as a joint product on Nov. 25, 2009. The companies will try to put the 95-kilogram robot, capable of making small turns between the legs of desks and chairs, into practical use in one year, with a price tag of 3-4 million yen.

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Tokyo Tower sends anti-DV message

TOKYO, Japan - Tokyo Tower is lit up in purple on Nov. 25, 2009, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Alternating colors of pink and blue were lit to symbolize the purple ribbon for the anti-domestic violence movement.

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6 of Japan's top 9 life insurers report revenue increases

TOKYO, Japan - Yoshinobu Tsutsui, senior managing director of Nippon Life Insurance Co., briefs reporters on the company's financial results for the April-September period at a news conference in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2009.

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Funds from mother likely a source of false donation reports

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama speaks to reporters about alleged false political donations reports at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2009.

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Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu beats Baruto at Kyushu sumo

FUKUOKA, Japan - Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu (L) forces sekiwake Baruto of Estonia out of the ring on the 11th day of the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center in Fukuoka on Nov. 25, 2009.

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Tokyo Tower sends anti-DV message

TOKYO, Japan - Tokyo Tower is lit up in purple on Nov. 25, 2009, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Alternating colors of pink and blue were lit to symbolize the purple ribbon for the anti-domestic violence movement.

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Asashoryu beats Kaio

FUKUOKA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu (L) pushes ozeki Kaio out of the ring on the 11th day of the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center in Fukuoka on Nov. 25, 2009. The yokozuna remains unbeaten.

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Mother of boy born by surrogacy calls it 'dream come true'

TOKYO, Japan - A 27-year-old woman (L), whose name is being withheld, and her 53-year-old mother who gave birth to a boy for her daughter, attend a press conference in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2009. In September last year, a fertile egg of the daughter, who had a tumor in her womb removed when she was 16 months old, was implanted into her mother and the boy was born in May.

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Astronaut Wakata receives prime minister's award

TOKYO, Japan - This undated file photo shows astronaut Koichi Wakata who received the prime minister's award Nov. 25, 2009, for his contribution to the completion of Japan's first manned space laboratory Kibo at the International Space Station during a 138-day cosmic trip.

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Astronaut Wakata receives prime minister's award

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (R) chats with astronaut Koichi Wakata at the premier's office on Nov. 25, 2009, after presenting him with the prime minister's award for his contribution to the completion of the country's first manned laboratory Kibo at the International Space Station. Wakata returned from a 138-day cosmic trip in July.

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Astronaut Wakata receives prime minister's award

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (R) and astronaut Koichi Wakata hold a plaque of the prime minister's award at the premier's office on Nov. 25, 2009. Wakata contributed to the completion of Japan's first manned laboratory Kibo at the International Space Station during a 138-day cosmic trip.

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Kabuki actor nameplates displayed at Kyoto theater

KYOTO, Japan - A total of 60 nameplates of Kabuki actors are displayed at the front of the Minamiza theater in Kyoto's Higashiyama Ward on Nov. 25, 2009, to prepare for nearly a month-long year-end performance starting Nov. 30.

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Deputy PM Kan talks of budgetary waste-cutting work

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Naoto Kan speaks to reporters after viewing the waste-cutting panel's session to discuss targeted projects in budget requests for fiscal 2010 in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2009. The panel recommended two anti-global warming programs be scrapped on the seventh day of its nine-day schedule.

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Budgetary waste-cutting work under way

TOKYO, Japan - Members of a key waste-cutting panel discuss targeted projects in budget requests for fiscal 2010 in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2009. The panel recommended two anti-global warming programs be scrapped on the seventh day of its nine-day schedule.

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Japan takes bronze, Brazil wins World Grand Champions Cup

NAGOYA, Japan - Japanese volleyball players leave the court at Nippongaishi Hall in Nagoya on Nov. 23, 2009, after being beaten by Brazil 25-12, 26-24, 25-22 in the World Grand Champions Cup. Brazil successfully defended its World Grand Champions Cup title while Japan had to settle for the bronze medal.

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Japanese men tame Egypt in Grand Champions Cup

OSAKA, Japan - Kunihiro Shimizu of Japan spikes the ball against Egypt's Abdel Latif during the first set of a match in the men's volleyball World Grand Champions Cup at Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium in Osaka on Nov. 19, 2009. Japan won 25-15, 22-25, 25-21, 25-17.

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Japanese men tame Egypt in Grand Champions Cup

OSAKA, Japan - Tatsuya Fukuzawa spikes the ball during the second set of a match against Egypt in the men's volleyball World Grand Champions Cup at Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium in Osaka on Nov. 19, 2009. Japan won 25-15, 22-25, 25-21, 25-17.

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8 Japanese killed in S. Korea fire

BUSAN, South Korea - Family members of Akira Shimada, a Japanese tourist injured in a fire the previous day at an indoor shooting range in the port city of Busan in South Korea, leave the intensive care unit on Nov. 15, 2009, at a Busan hospital where Shimada is hospitalized. They were among the 25 people, kin of nine Japanese men believed to be involved in the fire that claimed 10 lives and injured six another, who arrived from Japan earlier in the day.

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Japan's 3rd icebreaker Shirase to be sold to Weathernews

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in December 2007 shows the Shirase, Japan's third icebreaker for Antarctic expeditions, which the Japanese government decided on Nov. 9, 2009, to sell to Weathernews Inc. The vessel retired last year after competing 25 years of service.

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15-m tall Christmas tree lights up Tokyo department store

TOKYO, Japan - A lighting ceremony for a 15-meter tall Christmas tree, about the size of a five-story building and one of the largest in Japan, is held at the Mitsukoshi department store in the plush Nihonbashi shopping area in Tokyo on Nov. 2, 2009. The eco-friendly tree made of metal for repeated use and decorated with 25,000 light-emitting diode bulbs that require less power will be set up at the store's central hall until Dec. 25, store officials said.

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15-m tall Christmas tree lights up Tokyo department store

TOKYO, Japan - A mother and her baby pose for a commemorative photograph in front of a 15-meter tall Christmas tree, one of the largest in Japan, at the Mitsukoshi department store in the plush Nihonbashi shopping area in Tokyo on Nov. 2, 2009, with a ''Green Santa Claus,'' an environmental goodwill ambassador from Denmark. The eco-friendly tree made of metal for repeated use and decorated with 25,000 light-emitting diode bulbs that require less power will be set up at the store's central hall until Dec. 25, store officials said.

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Japan's 3rd icebreaker Shirase to be sold to Weathernews

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in December 2007 shows the Shirase, Japan's third icebreaker for Antarctic expeditions, which the Japanese government decided on Nov. 9, 2009, to sell to Weathernews. The vessel retired last year after competing 25 years of service. (Kyodo)

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Pianist Schlime promotes next year's Japan tour

TOKYO, Japan - Luxembourg-born pianist Francesco Tristano Schlime speaks at a press conference in Hakuju Hall in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2009. He visited Japan to promote his one-week tour in the country next February. (Kyodo)

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Agile robot helps keep office neat and tidy

TOKYO, Japan - This undated photo shows an office cleaning robot that Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. and Sumitomo Corp. unveiled as a joint product on Nov. 25, 2009. The companies will try to put the 95-kilogram robot, capable of making small turns between the legs of desks and chairs, into practical use in one year, with a price tag of 3-4 million yen. (Kyodo)

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Emperor, empress attend dinner at crown prince's residence

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrive at the Togu Palace, the residence of Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2009, to attend a dinner party to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the emperor's enthronement and the 50th wedding anniversary of the emperor and empress. A total of 46 current and former members of the imperial family attended the party hosted by the crown prince and crown princess. (Kyodo)

E

15-m tall Christmas tree lights up Tokyo department store

TOKYO, Japan - A lighting ceremony for a 15-meter tall Christmas tree, about the size of a five-story building and one of the largest in Japan, is held at the Mitsukoshi department store in the plush Nihonbashi shopping area in Tokyo on Nov. 2, 2009. The eco-friendly tree made of metal for repeated use and decorated with 25,000 light-emitting diode bulbs that require less power will be set up at the store's central hall until Dec. 25, store officials said. (Kyodo)

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15-m tall Christmas tree lights up Tokyo department store

TOKYO, Japan - A mother and her baby pose for a commemorative photograph in front of a 15-meter tall Christmas tree, one of the largest in Japan, at the Mitsukoshi department store in the plush Nihonbashi shopping area in Tokyo on Nov. 2, 2009, with a ''Green Santa Claus,'' an environmental goodwill ambassador from Denmark. The eco-friendly tree made of metal for repeated use and decorated with 25,000 light-emitting diode bulbs that require less power will be set up at the store's central hall until Dec. 25, store officials said. (Kyodo)

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Prince Akishino turns 44

TOKYO, Japan - Prince Akishino and his wife Princess Kiko speak to reporters at their residence in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2009, on the occasion of Prince Akishino's 44th birthday on Nov. 30. (Pool photo) (Kyodo)

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Prince Akishino turns 44

TOKYO, Japan - Prince Akishino and his wife Princess Kiko speak to reporters at their residence in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2009, on the occasion of Prince Akishino's 44th birthday on Nov. 30. (Pool photo) (Kyodo)

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Yokomine wins Japan LPGA Tour C'ship, claims 1st money title

MIYAZAKI, Japan - Sakura Yokomine poses with the winner's trophies after winning the season-ending Japan LPGA Tour Championship golf tournament at Miyazaki Country Club on Nov. 29, 2009. Yokomine received 25 million yen for her 15th career win to reach a total of 175 million yen, clinching her first money rankings title. (Kyodo)

E

'World's No. 1' coffee to be offered in Japan

MITO, Japan - This Nov. 25, 2009 photo shows Panama's Esmeralda Especial coffee beans, said to be the world's most expensive coffee, which Japanese cafe chain operator Saza Coffee Co., based in Ibaraki Prefecture, plans to offer for 1,200 yen per cup starting Dec. 2. Saza, which has paid $117.50 per pound for the coffee, 100 times the cost of average coffee beans, became the first company in Japan to buy the high-quality beans through an auction. (Kyodo)

E

Japan storyteller entertains Cambodia students

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - ''Rakugo'' storyteller Katsura Utamaru performs a popular eel restaurant story, ''Shirouto Unagi,'' in Phnom Penh on Nov. 25, 2009. About 400 people including students learning Japanese listened to the comic monologue with English and Cambodian subtitles available, as part of a series of events for Japan-Mekong exchange year. (Kyodo)

E

Tokyo Tower sends anti-DV message

TOKYO, Japan - Tokyo Tower is lit up in purple on Nov. 25, 2009, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Alternating colors of pink and blue were lit to symbolize the purple ribbon for the anti-domestic violence movement. (Kyodo)

E

Tokyo Tower sends anti-DV message

TOKYO, Japan - Tokyo Tower is lit up in purple on Nov. 25, 2009, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Alternating colors of pink and blue were lit to symbolize the purple ribbon for the anti-domestic violence movement. (Kyodo)

E

Int'l meeting stresses Japan's key role in Afghan peace process

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada (L) and Masoom Stanekzai, an adviser to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, shake hands at a Tokyo international meeting on peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan on Nov. 25, 2009. (Kyodo)

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Gov't plan to cut tech budget sparks criticism from scientists

TOKYO, Japan - (From L to R) Reona Esaki, the 1973 Nobel laureate in physics, Susumu Tonegawa, the 1987 Nobel laureate in physiology or medicine, Shigefumi Mori, the 1990 winner of the Fields Medal, Ryoji Noyori, the 2001 Nobel laureate in chemistry, and Makoto Kobayashi, the 2008 Nobel laureate in physics, hold a joint news conference at the University of Tokyo in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2009. They severely criticized a government body's recent instruction to slash science and technology-related budget allocations. (Kyodo)

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Nobel winner Noyori raps drive to cut science budget

TOKYO, Japan - Nobel chemistry laureate Ryoji Noyori (2nd from R), speaks about a government working group's recommendation to cut the science and technology budget at a news conference in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2009. Noyori said the recommendation lacks insight and will leave Japan trailing behind in scientific fields. (Kyodo)

E

Abe re-signs with Yomiuri

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Series MVP catcher Shinnosuke Abe smiles during a press conference in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2009, after re-signing with the Central League baseball club Yomiuri Giants. Abe, who decided earlier this month to stay with the Giants and not to file for free agency, will earn an estimated 350 million yen next year, 80 million yen more than last season. (Kyodo)

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Funds from mother likely a source of false donation reports

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama speaks to reporters about alleged false political donations reports at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2009. (Kyodo)

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6 of Japan's top 9 life insurers report revenue increases

TOKYO, Japan - Yoshinobu Tsutsui, senior managing director of Nippon Life Insurance Co., briefs reporters on the company's financial results for the April-September period at a news conference in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2009. (Kyodo)

E

Mother of boy born by surrogacy calls it 'dream come true'

TOKYO, Japan - A 27-year-old woman (L), whose name is being withheld, and her 53-year-old mother who gave birth to a boy for her daughter, attend a press conference in Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2009. In September last year, a fertile egg of the daughter, who had a tumor in her womb removed when she was 16 months old, was implanted into her mother and the boy was born in May. (Kyodo)

E

Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu beats Baruto at Kyushu sumo

FUKUOKA, Japan - Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu (L) forces sekiwake Baruto of Estonia out of the ring on the 11th day of the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center in Fukuoka on Nov. 25, 2009. (Kyodo)