Songwriter, novelist Yamaguchi dies at 77

Songwriter, novelist Yamaguchi dies at 77

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in July 1985 shows Yoko Yamaguchi attending a press conference after winning the Naoki Prize for popular literature. Yamaguchi, also a well-known songwriter, died of respiratory failure on Sept. 6, 2014, at the age of 77.

Ashes of journalists slain in Iraq return to Japan hometown

Ashes of journalists slain in Iraq return to Japan hometown

UBE, Japan - Yukiko Hashida (R), wife of Shinsuke Hashida, and Yoko Ogawa, mother of Kotaro Ogawa, speaks to reporters at Ube Airport in Yamaguchi Prefecture on June 9 after arriving there with the ashes of Hashida and Ogawa. Freelance journalist Hashida and his nephew Ogawa were killed in Iraq in May.

Songwriter, novelist Yamaguchi dies at 77

Songwriter, novelist Yamaguchi dies at 77

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in July 1985 shows Yoko Yamaguchi attending a press conference after winning the Naoki Prize for popular literature. Yamaguchi, also a well-known songwriter, died of respiratory failure on Sept. 6, 2014, at the age of 77. (Kyodo)

PM Abe visits his constituency

PM Abe visits his constituency

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C), his wife Akie (2nd from R, front) and his mother Yoko (far R, front) raise their glasses during a meeting with supporters in Nagato, Yamaguchi Prefecture, in western Japan on Jan. 8, 2017. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Ashes of journalists slain in Iraq return to Japan hometown

Ashes of journalists slain in Iraq return to Japan hometown

UBE, Japan - Yukiko Hashida (R), wife of Shinsuke Hashida, and Yoko Ogawa, mother of Kotaro Ogawa, speaks to reporters at Ube Airport in Yamaguchi Prefecture on June 9 after arriving there with the ashes of Hashida and Ogawa. Freelance journalist Hashida and his nephew Ogawa were killed in Iraq in May. (Kyodo)