Olympic curlers at Ferragamo Japan event

Olympic curlers at Ferragamo Japan event

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Olympic curlers -- (from L) Mayo Yamaura, Kotomi Ishizaki, Moe Meguro, Mari Motohashi and Anna Omiya -- all wearing Salvatore Ferragamo creations, pose for photographers during an opening event for a store of the Italian apparel company in Tokyo's Roppongi district April 22, 2010.

Japan loses to Sweden in bid for last 4 in curling

Japan loses to Sweden in bid for last 4 in curling

VANCOUVER, Canada - (From L) Kotomi Ishizaki, Mari Motohashi, Moe Meguro, and Mayo Yamaura of Japan look glum after Sweden took the upper hand during a round-robin match in the women's curling in the Winter Games at Vancouver Olympic Centre on Feb. 23, 2010. Sweden won 10-6, ending Japan's chances of competing in the semifinals.

Japan beats Russia in women's curling game

Japan beats Russia in women's curling game

VANCOUVER, Canada - Curler Mari Motohashi (R) of Japan watches the stone after releasing it, while Anna Omiya (L) and Mayo Yamaura sweep, in the 10th end of a match against Russia in the round-robin stage of the women's curling tournament at the Vancouver Winter Olympics at the Vancouver Olympic Centre on Feb. 21, 2010. Japan won the match 12-9.

Japan curling team arrives in Vancouver

Japan curling team arrives in Vancouver

TOKYO, Japan - Members of Team Aomori, Japan's women's curling team, speak to reporters after arriving at Vancouver International Airport on Feb. 2, 2010, ahead of the start of the Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 12. From left, Mayo Yamaura, Kotomi Ishizaki, Anna Omiya, Mari Motohashi, and Moe Meguro.

Japan, China agree to diversify ibis habitat areas in China

Japan, China agree to diversify ibis habitat areas in China

BEIJING, China - Nobuyuki Yamaura (R), chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency's China Office, and Qu Guilin, director for the International Cooperation Department of China's State Forestry Administration, shake hands after exchanging contracts on conservation of the crested ibis on Jan. 29, 2010, in Beijing. The two countries inked a five-year project for diversifying habitat areas in China for one of the world's most endangered birds.

Japan, China agree to diversify ibis habitat areas in China

Japan, China agree to diversify ibis habitat areas in China

BEIJING, China - Nobuyuki Yamaura (R), chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency's China Office, and Qu Guilin, director for the International Cooperation Department of China's State Forestry Administration, sign a contract on Jan. 29, 2010, in Beijing, on conservation of the crested ibis. The two countries inked a five-year project for diversifying habitat areas in China for one of the world's most endangered birds.

Japan wins 2 straight at women's world c'ship

Japan wins 2 straight at women's world c'ship

AOMORI, Japan - (From L to R) Mayo Yamaura, Mari Motohashi and Sakurako Terada acknowledge fans after host Japan scored four points in the sixth end to decide a match in a 6-3 win over the Czech Republic for its second straight victory at the curling women's world championship on March 17.

Japanese women finish 3rd at Karuizawa int'l meet

Japanese women finish 3rd at Karuizawa int'l meet

KARUIZAWA, Japan - Sakurako Terada (Y) and Mayo Yamaura (R) sweep the course as Mari Motohashi (C) releases the ball during the third-place match of the women's event at the Karuizawa international curling meet on Feb. 4. Japan lost 11-6 to eventual winner Canada in the semifinals, but trounced China 10-4.

Japanese women finish 3rd at Karuizawa int'l meet

Japanese women finish 3rd at Karuizawa int'l meet

KARUIZAWA, Japan - Sakurako Terada (Y) and Mayo Yamaura (R) sweep the course as Mari Motohashi (C) releases the ball during the third-place match of the women's event at the Karuizawa international curling meet on Feb. 4. Japan lost 11-6 to eventual winner Canada in the semifinals, but trounced China 10-4. (Kyodo)

Japan wins 2 straight at women's world c'ship

Japan wins 2 straight at women's world c'ship

AOMORI, Japan - (From L to R) Mayo Yamaura, Mari Motohashi and Sakurako Terada acknowledge fans after host Japan scored four points in the sixth end to decide a match in a 6-3 win over the Czech Republic for its second straight victory at the curling women's world championship on March 17. (Kyodo)

Japan loses to Sweden in bid for last 4 in curling

Japan loses to Sweden in bid for last 4 in curling

VANCOUVER, Canada - (From L) Kotomi Ishizaki, Mari Motohashi, Moe Meguro, and Mayo Yamaura of Japan look glum after Sweden took the upper hand during a round-robin match in the women's curling in the Winter Games at Vancouver Olympic Centre on Feb. 23, 2010. Sweden won 10-6, ending Japan's chances of competing in the semifinals. (Kyodo)

Japan beats Russia in women's curling game

Japan beats Russia in women's curling game

VANCOUVER, Canada - Curler Mari Motohashi (R) of Japan watches the stone after releasing it, while Anna Omiya (L) and Mayo Yamaura sweep, in the 10th end of a match against Russia in the round-robin stage of the women's curling tournament at the Vancouver Winter Olympics at the Vancouver Olympic Centre on Feb. 21, 2010. Japan won the match 12-9. (Kyodo)

Japan curling team arrives in Vancouver

Japan curling team arrives in Vancouver

TOKYO, Japan - Members of Team Aomori, Japan's women's curling team, speak to reporters after arriving at Vancouver International Airport on Feb. 2, 2010, ahead of the start of the Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 12. From left, Mayo Yamaura, Kotomi Ishizaki, Anna Omiya, Mari Motohashi, and Moe Meguro. (Kyodo)

Japan, China agree to diversify ibis habitat areas in China

Japan, China agree to diversify ibis habitat areas in China

BEIJING, China - Nobuyuki Yamaura (R), chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency's China Office, and Qu Guilin, director for the International Cooperation Department of China's State Forestry Administration, sign a contract on Jan. 29, 2010, in Beijing, on conservation of the crested ibis. The two countries inked a five-year project for diversifying habitat areas in China for one of the world's most endangered birds. (Kyodo)

Japan, China agree to diversify ibis habitat areas in China

Japan, China agree to diversify ibis habitat areas in China

BEIJING, China - Nobuyuki Yamaura (R), chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency's China Office, and Qu Guilin, director for the International Cooperation Department of China's State Forestry Administration, shake hands after exchanging contracts on conservation of the crested ibis on Jan. 29, 2010, in Beijing. The two countries inked a five-year project for diversifying habitat areas in China for one of the world's most endangered birds. (Kyodo)

Olympic curlers at Ferragamo Japan event

Olympic curlers at Ferragamo Japan event

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Olympic curlers -- (from L) Mayo Yamaura, Kotomi Ishizaki, Moe Meguro, Mari Motohashi and Anna Omiya -- all wearing Salvatore Ferragamo creations, pose for photographers during an opening event for a store of the Italian apparel company in Tokyo's Roppongi district April 22, 2010. (Kyodo)

Use of separate surnames should be allowed: ex-justice

Use of separate surnames should be allowed: ex-justice

Former Supreme Court Justice Yoshiki Yamaura gives an interview in Tokyo on Nov. 29, 2016, following his retirement in July. Yamaura, now a lawyer, said married couples should be allowed to use separate surnames under the Constitution, although the top court ruled in December 2015 that forcing couples to use the same surname is constitutional. Yamaura was against the decision. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Use of separate surnames should be allowed: ex-justice

Use of separate surnames should be allowed: ex-justice

Former Supreme Court Justice Yoshiki Yamaura gives an interview in Tokyo on Nov. 29, 2016, following his retirement in July. Yamaura, now a lawyer, said married couples should be allowed to use separate surnames under the Constitution, although the top court ruled in December 2015 that forcing couples to use the same surname is constitutional. Yamaura was against the decision. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo