China's Hu visits Nara on last leg of official visit to Japan

China's Hu visits Nara on last leg of official visit to Japan

NARA, Japan - Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) meets with Nara Gov. Shogo Arai (R) in Nara Prefecture on May 10.

China's Hu visits Nara on last leg of official visit to Japan

China's Hu visits Nara on last leg of official visit to Japan

NARA, Japan - Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) poses for photos with Nara Gov. Shogo Arai (2nd from L) and transport minister Tetsuzo Fuyushiba (R) in Nara, Nara Prefecture, on May 10 after presenting the prefecture with a bust of Jingzhen, a Chinese Buddhist priest, known as Ganjin in Japanese. The Chinese priest traveled to Japan to teach Buddhist precepts and founded Toshodaiji Temple in the prefecture in 759.

Arai assured of victory in Nara governor poll

Arai assured of victory in Nara governor poll

NARA, Japan - Shogo Arai, backed by the ruling coalition, celebrates with his wife and supporters at his campaign office in Nara after being elected Nara governor in the poll on April 8.

Pacific coast guards to team up against poachers, drugs, guns

Pacific coast guards to team up against poachers, drugs, guns

TOKYO, Japan - National coast guard chiefs from Japan, South Korea, Russia and the United States shake hands after a two-day meeting in Tokyo on Dec. 21. They agreed to team up to fight crimes such as drug and gun smuggling and poaching in their territorial waters. (From L to R) South Korean National Maritime Police Agency Commissioner Lee Gyu Sik, Japan Coast Guard Commandant Shogo Arai, Russian Federal Border Service Commandant Konstantin Totskii and U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. James Loy. China canceled plans to attend the meeting.

Japan PM Kishida

Japan PM Kishida

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida holds talks with Mie Gov. Katsuyuki Ichimi and Nara Gov. Shogo Arai in the Mie Prefecture capital Tsu on June 17, 2022, about the Linear Chuo Shinkansen, a planned maglev bullet train line that will link Tokyo and Osaka.

Japanese pianist Kyohei Sorita

Japanese pianist Kyohei Sorita

Kyohei Sorita (L), who won second prize in the 18th edition of the prestigious Frederic Chopin international piano competition, and Nara Gov. Shogo Arai pose for a photo at the prefectural government headquarters in Nara, western Japan, on Dec. 17, 2021, after the governor commended Sorita for his musical activities in the prefecture.

Japanese pianist Kyohei Sorita

Japanese pianist Kyohei Sorita

Kyohei Sorita (L), who won second prize in the 18th edition of the prestigious Frederic Chopin international piano competition, meets with Nara Gov. Shogo Arai at the prefectural government headquarters in Nara, western Japan, on Dec. 17, 2021. The governor commended Sorita the same day for his musical activity in the prefecture.

Japanese pianist Kyohei Sorita

Japanese pianist Kyohei Sorita

Kyohei Sorita (L), who won second prize in the 18th edition of the prestigious Frederic Chopin international piano competition, meets with Nara Gov. Shogo Arai at the prefectural government headquarters in Nara, western Japan, on Dec. 17, 2021. The governor commended Sorita the same day for his musical activity in the prefecture.

Arai assured of victory in Nara governor poll

Arai assured of victory in Nara governor poll

NARA, Japan - Shogo Arai, backed by the ruling coalition, celebrates with his wife and supporters at his office in Nara after being assured of victory in the Nara gubernatorial election on April 8. (Kyodo)

China's Hu visits Nara on last leg of official visit to Japan

China's Hu visits Nara on last leg of official visit to Japan

NARA, Japan - Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) meets with Nara Gov. Shogo Arai (R) in Nara Prefecture on May 10. (Kyodo)

China's Hu visits Nara on last leg of official visit to Japan

China's Hu visits Nara on last leg of official visit to Japan

NARA, Japan - Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) poses for photos with Nara Gov. Shogo Arai (2nd from L) and transport minister Tetsuzo Fuyushiba (R) in Nara, Nara Prefecture, on May 10 after presenting the prefecture with a bust of Jingzhen, a Chinese Buddhist priest, known as Ganjin in Japanese. The Chinese priest traveled to Japan to teach Buddhist precepts and founded Toshodaiji Temple in the prefecture in 759. (Kyodo)

French restaurant to open at university in Nara, western Japan

French restaurant to open at university in Nara, western Japan

Hirotoshi Hiramatsu (R), head of restaurant chain Hiramatsu Inc., and Nara Gov. Shogo Arai pose in Nara, western Japan, on June 10, 2015, following their agreement to have Hiramatsu open in September a French restaurant equipped with lodging facilities in the school building of Nara Agriculture and Food International College, which will be launched in April 2016 by remodeling Nara Prefecture Agricultural College. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Pacific coast guards to team up against poachers, drugs, guns

Pacific coast guards to team up against poachers, drugs, guns

TOKYO, Japan - National coast guard chiefs from Japan, South Korea, Russia and the United States shake hands after a two-day meeting in Tokyo on Dec. 21. They agreed to team up to fight crimes such as drug and gun smuggling and poaching in their territorial waters. (From L to R) South Korean National Maritime Police Agency Commissioner Lee Gyu Sik, Japan Coast Guard Commandant Shogo Arai, Russian Federal Border Service Commandant Konstantin Totskii and U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. James Loy. China canceled plans to attend the meeting.