Scale model of 'Totto-chan's Square' displayed

Scale model of 'Totto-chan's Square' displayed

TOKYO, Japan - A scale model of "Totto-chan's Square" is displayed in Tokyo on May 22, 2014, ahead of its planned construction at the Chihiro Art Museum featuring illustrator Chihiro Iwasaki in Matsukawa, Nagano Prefecture, central Japan. "Totto-chan" is a lead character in "The Little Girl at the Window" authored by actress and TV personality Tetsuko Kuroyanagai, who also is director of the museum.

Actress, director show scale model of 'Totto-chan's Square'

Actress, director show scale model of 'Totto-chan's Square'

TOKYO, Japan - Actress and TV personality Tetsuko Kuroyanagi (2nd from R) and movie director Yoji Yamada (2nd from L) stand before a scale model of "Totto-chan's Square" in Tokyo on May 22, 2014. The square is to be built at the Chihiro Art Museum featuring illustrator Chihiro Iwasaki in Matsukawa, Nagano Prefecture, central Japan. "Totto-chan" is a lead character in "The Little Girl at the Window" authored by Kuroyanagai, who also is director of the museum.

Actress Kuroyanagi visits S. Sudan

Actress Kuroyanagi visits S. Sudan

JUBA, South Sudan - Japanese actress and UNICEF goodwill ambassador Tetsuko Kuroyanagi holds an infant under the care of the Totto Chan center, which carries the nickname of the actress, in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, on March 15, 2013. After visiting the city in 1993 during the Sudanese civil war, Kuroyanagi led efforts to build the center set up to care for children traumatized by conflict.

Actress Kuroyanagi visits S. Sudan

Actress Kuroyanagi visits S. Sudan

JUBA, South Sudan - Japanese actress and UNICEF goodwill ambassador Tetsuko Kuroyanagi (R) meets a man raised at the Totto Chan center, which carries the nickname of the actress, in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, on March 15, 2013. After visiting the city in 1993 during the Sudanese civil war, Kuroyanagi led efforts to build the center set up to care for children traumatized by conflict.

Old train car transformed into classroom, popular among kindergarteners

Old train car transformed into classroom, popular among kindergarteners

TOKYO, Japan - Students of Tomoe Kindergarten enjoy their classroom built out of an old train car. Tomoe Elementary School, whose unique teaching style was featured in the best-selling novel ''Totto-chan'' by actress Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, burnt down during the March 10, 1945 air raids on Tokyo, and only its kindergarten reopened. This file photo was taken on Nov. 2, 1948 in Jiyugaoka, Tokyo.

Old train car transformed into classroom, popular among kindergar

Old train car transformed into classroom, popular among kindergar

TOKYO, Japan - Students of Tomoe Kindergarten enjoy their classroom built out of an old train car. Tomoe Elementary School, whose unique teaching style was featured in the best-selling novel ''Totto-chan'' by actress Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, burnt down during the March 10, 1945 air raids on Tokyo, and only its kindergarten reopened. This file photo was taken on Nov. 2, 1948 in Jiyugaoka, Tokyo. (Kyodo)