Search｜Photos & Images & Videos｜KYODO NEWS IMAGES INC

World Exposition in Osaka

(from L) Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai, Shiga Gov. Taizo Mikazuki, and Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura make a toast during an event to pitch Wakayama Prefecture in the Kansai Pavilion at the World Exposition in Osaka, western Japan, on May 6, 2025. The pavilion showcases exhibitions from nine prefectures in the Kansai region.

E

World Exposition in Osaka

Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai (R) visits the area earmarked for the western Japan prefecture, home to the Tottori Sand Dunes, in the Kansai Pavilion at the 2025 World Exposition site in Osaka on March 23, 2025, ahead of the expo's start in April. The Kansai Pavilion will showcase exhibitions from nine prefectures in the western Japan region.

E

Manga character guide panels in Tottori Pref.

TOTTORI, Japan - Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai (C) poses for photos with characters of the comic series "Gegege no Kitaro" holding guide panels at the Tottori prefectural office in Tottori City on June 23, 2014. The panels are set to be installed along a road connecting Yonago and Sakaiminato.

E

Comic author, Tottori governor promote local airport

TOTTORI, Japan - Gosho Aoyama (R), author of the popular Japanese comic series "Case Closed" (previously known as "Detective Conan"), and Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai strike a pose in front of a poster drawn by Aoyama for Tottori Airport during an event in the cartoonist's hometown of Hokuei in the western Japan prefecture on Jan. 3, 2015. With Tottori known for its sand dunes, the airport will be nicknamed Tottori Sakyu (Dune) Conan Airport from March.

E

Ichinojo named hometown ambassador for Tottori Pref.

TOTTORI, Japan - Sekiwake Ichinojo (C) poses in Tottori, western Japan, on Dec. 21, 2014, after being named a hometown ambassador for Tottori Prefecture by Gov. Shinji Hirai (2nd from L) as Tokiyoshi Ishiura (far R), manager of Tottori Johoku High School's sumo club to which the Mongolian wrestler belonged, looks on.

E

Tottori Airport nicknamed 'Dune Conan Airport'

TOTTORI, Japan - A person dressed as Edogawa Conan (C), a protagonist in the popular comic series "Case Closed" (previously known as "Detective Conan"), poses with Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai (L) on Nov. 13, 2014, at an event marking the nicknaming of the western Japan prefecture's airport as "Tottori Dune Conan Airport" in honor of author Gosho Aoyama, who hails from the prefecture.

E

Japan prefectural governors meet press in Beijing

BEIJING, China - Japanese prefectural governors attend a press conference on the occasion of a gubernatorial forum between Japan and China in Beijing on Oct. 28, 2014. From L: Hiroshima Deputy Gov. Yoshiaki Nakashita, Shiga Gov. Taizo Mikazuki, Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai, Kyoto Gov. Keiji Yamada serving as president of the National Governors Association, Niigata Gov. Hirohiko Izumida, Nagano Gov. Shuichi Abe, and Yamaguchi Gov. Tsugumasa Muraoka.

E

Barcos bags to go on sale at Neiman Marcus

TOTTORI, Japan - Barcos Co. President Takashi Yamamoto (R) shows one of his company's products to Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai in Tottori City on Sept. 1, 2014. The company's Hanaa-fu brand bags are on sale at luxurious U.S. department store Neiman Marcus. The company's head office is located in Kurayoshi in the western Japanese prefecture.

E

Female racing drivers promote Tottori Pref. EV facilities

TOTTORI, Japan - Race car drivers Nanami Tsukamoto (R) and Urara Tachibana pay a courtesy call on Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai at the prefectural office in Tottori City on July 11, 2014. Their racing team started making a commercial video to publicize the western Japanese prefecture's charging facilities for electric vehicles.

E

Good Smile to build plant in Tottori Pref.

TOTTORI, Japan - Takanori Aki (2nd from R), president of Good Smile Company Inc., and Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai (R) clasp hands at a signing ceremony in Tottori City on June 26, 2014, for the character figure maker's construction of a plant in Kurayoshi, Tottori Prefecture.

E

Farmers in Tottori Pref. begin exporting watermelons to H.K.

TOTTORI, Japan - Gov. Shinji Hirai (2nd from L) of Tottori Prefecture and Dole Japan Inc. President Yosuke Watanabe (extreme R) hold a watermelon with other officials in Hokuei in the western Japan prefecture on June 26, 2014, at a launch ceremony to export local watermelons to Hong Kong, China.

E

Tottori Gov. at Japan-Russia investment forum

TOKYO, Japan - Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai speaks about economic ties between the western Japan prefecture and Russia's Far East during a Japan-Russia investment forum in Tokyo on March 19, 2014. He expressed his expectation for Russia's contribution to world peace and stability. Tottori is one of Japan's most proactive prefectures in engaging in economic exchanges with the Russian region.

E

AKB48 members appointed Tottori sports ambassador

TOTTORI, Japan - Members of the all-girl pop group AKB48 including Reina Fujie (2nd from R) receive a letter of appointment as Tottori Prefecture's sports support ambassador from Gov. Shinji Hirai (L) at a ceremony before the Tottori marathon in the city facing the Sea of Japan on March 16, 2014.

E

Tottori Gov. Hirai at cartoon conference in Beijing

BEIJING, China - Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai (C, front row) visits a booth opened by the prefecture at the 12th international manga summit in Beijing on Oct. 23, 2011. The western Japan prefecture will host the next manga summit the following year.

E

Snow hits western Japan

YONAGO, Japan - Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai (C) views a capsized fishing boat at a port in Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture, on the Sea of Japan coast, on Jan. 3, 2011. The boat has turned over due to the weight of heavy snow.

E

New S. Korean TV drama

SEOUL, South Korea - South Korean stars Jung Woo Sung (L) and Soo Ae attend a press conference in Seoul, South Korea, on Aug. 30, 2010, about their new TV drama ''Athena Senso no Megami'' (Athena, Goddess of War), a sequel to the popular TV drama series ''Iris.'' The drama is scheduled to be shot in Japan's Tottori Prefecture from September and Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai attended the press conference as well.

E

Hirai assured of election as Tottori governor

TOTTORI, Japan - Shinji Hirai (R), supported by the ruling coalition, throws his arms in celebration after being assured of election as Tottori governor in the poll held on April 8. Standing to his left is former Defense Agency chief Shigeru Ishiba.

E

Governors visit Abe assassination site

Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai, president of the National Governors' Association, speaks in Nara, western Japan, on July 28, 2022, during his visit with other governors to the site of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's assassination. Abe was shot while delivering an election campaign speech on July 8.

E

Governors visit Abe assassination site

Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai, president of the National Governors' Association, prays in Nara, western Japan, on July 28, 2022, during his visit with other governors to the site of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's assassination. Abe was shot while delivering an election campaign speech on July 8.

E

North Korean abduction issue

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno (2nd from R) receives a written request from Kanagawa Gov. Yuji Kuroiwa (2nd from L) at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Jan. 14, 2022, seeking the return of abducted Japanese citizens from North Korea. Standing left is Niigata Gov. Hideyo Hanazumi and right is Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai.

E

Hirai assured of election as Tottori governor

TOTTORI, Japan - Shinji Hirai (R), supported by the ruling coalition, throws his arms in celebration after being assured of election as Tottori governor in the poll held on April 8. Standing to his left is former Defense Agency chief Shigeru Ishiba. (Kyodo)

E

Pepper the robot dispatched to work for Japanese local gov't

Shinji Hirai (L), governor of Japan's western Tottori Prefecture, and "Pepper," a humanoid robot developed by Softbank Group Corp., pose for a photo at a shop selling Tottori produce in Tokyo on July 1, 2015. Softbank launched the same day a temporary staffing business by dispatching the robot for 1,500 yen (about $12) per hour, with the prefectural government, which appointed Pepper to be the advertising manager for Tottori, becoming its first client. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Strict screening urged of safety steps for scrapping reactor

Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai (L) presents a petition to Nuclear Regulation Authority head Katsuhiko Ikeda at the NRA's office in Tokyo on June 4, 2015, calling for the strict screening of safety measures for decommissioning the No. 1 reactor at Chugoku Electric Power Co.'s nuclear power plant in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, western Japan, with which Tottori borders. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Tottori Gov. Hirai promotes sand dune tourism

Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai (C) promotes tourism at the Tottori Sand Dunes in the western Japanese prefecture facing the Sea of Japan on May 21, 2015. On the left is Sunakakebaba (L), a character in "Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro" by famous manga artist Shigeru Mizuki, who hails from Tottori. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Ceremony marks selection of west Japan town as domestic heritage site

Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai (3rd from L) and Misasa Mayor Hidemitsu Yoshida (3rd from R) attend a ceremony in the western Japan town on April 24, 2015, to celebrate the central government's selection of the municipality as one of Japan Heritage sites aimed at revitalizing local tourism and economic activity. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Tottori Pref. to get funding from Nippon Foundation for welfare improvement

Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai (R) and Nippon Foundation Chairman Yohei Sasakawa show an agreement on bilateral cooperation in the prefectural capital of Tottori, western Japan, on Nov. 18, 2015. Under the agreement, the foundation will provide Tottori Prefecture with 3 billion yen over five years to finance joint projects aimed at improving the welfare environment for elderly and handicapped people. The foundation selected Tottori as a recipient of its funds for the prefecture's efforts to improve welfare for the disadvantaged through a sign language promotion event for high school students and other programs. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Facility opened to store core samples from methane hydrate surveys

Ryo Matsumoto (C), professor at Meiji University in Tokyo, shows Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai (L) racks to store "core samples" from undersea methane hydrate surveys at a refrigeration storage facility in Tottori, western Japan, on its opening day of Sept. 3, 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

New S. Korean TV drama

SEOUL, South Korea - South Korean stars Jung Woo Sung (L) and Soo Ae attend a press conference in Seoul, South Korea, on Aug. 30, 2010, about their new TV drama ''Athena Senso no Megami'' (Athena, Goddess of War), a sequel to the popular TV drama series ''Iris.'' The drama is scheduled to be shot in Japan's Tottori Prefecture from September and Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai attended the press conference as well. (Kyodo)

E

Comic author, Tottori governor promote local airport

TOTTORI, Japan - Gosho Aoyama (R), author of the popular Japanese comic series "Case Closed" (previously known as "Detective Conan"), and Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai strike a pose in front of a poster drawn by Aoyama for Tottori Airport during an event in the cartoonist's hometown of Hokuei in the western Japan prefecture on Jan. 3, 2015. With Tottori known for its sand dunes, the airport will be nicknamed Tottori Sakyu (Dune) Conan Airport from March. (Kyodo)

E

Barcos bags to go on sale at Neiman Marcus

TOTTORI, Japan - Barcos Co. President Takashi Yamamoto (R) shows one of his company's products to Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai in Tottori City on Sept. 1, 2014. The company's Hanaa-fu brand bags are on sale at luxurious U.S. department store Neiman Marcus. The company's head office is located in Kurayoshi in the western Japanese prefecture. (Kyodo)

E

Female racing drivers promote Tottori Pref. EV facilities

TOTTORI, Japan - Race car drivers Nanami Tsukamoto (R) and Urara Tachibana pay a courtesy call on Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai at the prefectural office in Tottori City on July 11, 2014. Their racing team started making a commercial video to publicize the western Japanese prefecture's charging facilities for electric vehicles. (Kyodo)

E

Good Smile to build plant in Tottori Pref.

TOTTORI, Japan - Takanori Aki (2nd from R), president of Good Smile Company Inc., and Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai (R) clasp hands at a signing ceremony in Tottori City on June 26, 2014, for the character figure maker's construction of a plant in Kurayoshi, Tottori Prefecture. (Kyodo)

E

Manga character guide panels in Tottori Pref.

TOTTORI, Japan - Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai (C) poses for photos with characters of the comic series "Gegege no Kitaro" holding guide panels at the Tottori prefectural office in Tottori City on June 23, 2014. The panels are set to be installed along a road connecting Yonago and Sakaiminato. (Kyodo)

E

Snow hits western Japan

YONAGO, Japan - Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai (C) views a capsized fishing boat at a port in Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture, on the Sea of Japan coast, on Jan. 3, 2011. The boat has turned over due to the weight of heavy snow. (Kyodo)

E

Tottori Gov. Hirai at cartoon conference in Beijing

BEIJING, China - Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai (C, front row) visits a booth opened by the prefecture at the 12th international manga summit in Beijing on Oct. 23, 2011. The western Japan prefecture will host the next manga summit the following year. (Kyodo)

E

Members of Japan PM Suga's Cabinet

Combined file photo shows (from L) Japanese Olympic and Paralympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto, who is also in charge of women's empowerment and gender equality, Shinji Inoue, minister for the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka and in charge of consumer administration, and Takuya Hirai, minister in charge of digital reform, social security and tax number system. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga formed his Cabinet in Tokyo on Sept. 16, 2020.

E

Japanese Princess Mako

Princess Mako, the eldest granddaughter of Japanese Emperor Akihito, is welcomed by Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai (far L) and other officials at Yonago airport in Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture, on Aug. 8, 2018. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Cultivation of mackerel

Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai eats mackerel during an event held in Iwami, Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, to mark Japan's first cultivation of the fish at a land facility. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Pokemon Go event in western Japan

Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai attends the opening ceremony at the Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori Prefecture on Nov. 24, 2017, for a three-day event for the popular Pokemon Go smartphone game app. Fans played the game with promises of rare characters being out and about for players to capture. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Snow crab fetches record-high price at auction in Japan

Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai poses with a snow crab in the western Japan city of Tottori on Nov. 7, 2016, after seeing it fetch a price of 1.3 million yen, or about $12,500, at the first auction of the season for the winter delicacy, a record high in the auction held in Tottori Prefecture. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Olympics: Jamaicans cheer for relay team

(Front row) Jamaicans cheer for their country's Olympic relay runners alongside Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai (far R) as they attend a public viewing of Rio de Janeiro Olympic athletics events in the western Japan city of Tottori on Aug. 19, 2016. Jamaica won gold and Japan took silver in the men's 4x100-meter relay final at the Rio Games. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo