Jane Birkin honored for disaster relief effort

Jane Birkin honored for disaster relief effort

PARIS, France - Jane Birkin (R) poses for photos with Japanese Ambassador to France Yoichi Suzuki at the ambassador's official residence in Paris on Nov. 14, 2013. Japan presented this year's Foreign Minister's Commendation award to the French-based singer and actress for her efforts in promoting cultural exchange between Japan and France and for relief activities after the March 11, 2011 tsunami and earthquake disaster.

Japan general election

Japan general election

TOKYO, Japan - Leaders of Japan's major political parties join hands before a debate at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Nov. 30, 2012, ahead of the Dec. 16, 2012, general election. From L are Shozaburo Jimi of the People's New Party, Mizuho Fukushima of the Social Democratic Party, Kazuo Shii of the Japanese Communist Party, Natsuo Yamaguchi of the New Komeito party, Shinzo Abe of the Liberal Democratic Party, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of the Democratic Party of Japan, Yukiko Kada of Nippon Mirai no To (Japan Future Party), Shintaro Ishihara of the Japan Restoration Party, Yoshimi Watanabe of Your Party, Muneo Suzuki of the New Party Daichi and Yoichi Masuzoe of the New Renaissance Party.

Camera on balloon to take pictures of disaster areas

Camera on balloon to take pictures of disaster areas

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - Yoichi Suzuki (R) and his wife Fumie fly a balloon carrying a digital camera to take pictures of Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, from above on June 8, 2011. They take such pictures in areas hit by the March quake and tsunami and release the images on the Internet.

Camera on balloon to take pictures of disaster areas

Camera on balloon to take pictures of disaster areas

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - Yoichi Suzuki (R) and his wife Fumie fly a balloon carrying a digital camera to take pictures of Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, from above on June 8, 2011. They take such pictures in areas hit by the March quake and tsunami and release the images on the Internet. (Kyodo)