Niigata Int'l Animation Film Festival

Niigata Int'l Animation Film Festival

Philippine animation film director Avid Liongoren, jury president of the Niigata International Animation Film Festival, speaks at its award ceremony on Feb. 25, 2026, in Niigata, northwest of Tokyo.

Niigata Int'l Animation Film Festival

Niigata Int'l Animation Film Festival

Philippine animation film director Avid Liongoren, jury president of the Niigata International Animation Film Festival, speaks at its award ceremony on Feb. 25, 2026, in Niigata, northwest of Tokyo.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, an avid fan of the Hanshin Tigers pro baseball team, holds a tiger-shaped charm during a campaign rally in Nishinomiya in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 29, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.

MFW - David Beckham At Boss

MFW - David Beckham At Boss

avid Beckham attends the Boss Fashion Show during Milan Women’s Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026 in Milan, Italy, on September 25, 2025. The former footballer, sports executive and entrepreneur was seated in the front row among the guests. Photo by Alessandro Bremec/IPA/ABACAPRESS.COM

MFW - David Beckham At Boss

MFW - David Beckham At Boss

avid Beckham attends the Boss Fashion Show during Milan Women’s Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026 in Milan, Italy, on September 25, 2025. The former footballer, sports executive and entrepreneur was seated in the front row among the guests. Photo by Alessandro Bremec/IPA/ABACAPRESS.COM

MFW - David Beckham At Boss

MFW - David Beckham At Boss

avid Beckham attends the Boss Fashion Show during Milan Women’s Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026 in Milan, Italy, on September 25, 2025. The former footballer, sports executive and entrepreneur was seated in the front row among the guests. Photo by Alessandro Bremec/IPA/ABACAPRESS.COM

MFW - David Beckham At Boss

MFW - David Beckham At Boss

avid Beckham attends the Boss Fashion Show during Milan Women’s Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026 in Milan, Italy, on September 25, 2025. The former footballer, sports executive and entrepreneur was seated in the front row among the guests. Photo by Alessandro Bremec/IPA/ABACAPRESS.COM

MFW - David Beckham At Boss

MFW - David Beckham At Boss

avid Beckham attends the Boss Fashion Show during Milan Women’s Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026 in Milan, Italy, on September 25, 2025. The former footballer, sports executive and entrepreneur was seated in the front row among the guests. Photo by Alessandro Bremec/IPA/ABACAPRESS.COM

SYRIA-ALEPPO-EARTHQUAKES-ANNIVERSARY

SYRIA-ALEPPO-EARTHQUAKES-ANNIVERSARY

(240205) -- ALEPPO, Feb. 5, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Yahia Kaakeh, a 50-year-old painter and avid biker, stands next to a hole where his apartment building once stood before its collapse during the earthquakes in Aleppo city, northern Syria, Jan. 26, 2024. TO GO WITH "Feature: Syrian survivors rebuild lives one year after 2023 earthquakes" (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua)

BRITAIN-LONDON-WORLD TRAVEL MARKET-CHINA PAVILION

BRITAIN-LONDON-WORLD TRAVEL MARKET-CHINA PAVILION

(231107) -- LONDON, Nov. 7, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A woman visits the China pavilion of the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 in London, Britain, Nov. 6, 2023. China made its comeback at the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 on Monday with a rich variety of tourism resources and services, drawing worldwide travel service providers and avid travelers who are eager to visit, or revisit, the country. TO GO WITH "Roundup: China's comeback meets high expectations at World Travel Market" (Xinhua/Li Ying)

BRITAIN-LONDON-WORLD TRAVEL MARKET-CHINA PAVILION

BRITAIN-LONDON-WORLD TRAVEL MARKET-CHINA PAVILION

(231107) -- LONDON, Nov. 7, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A visitor tastes Chinese tea at the China pavilion of the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 in London, Britain, Nov. 6, 2023. China made its comeback at the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 on Monday with a rich variety of tourism resources and services, drawing worldwide travel service providers and avid travelers who are eager to visit, or revisit, the country. TO GO WITH "Roundup: China's comeback meets high expectations at World Travel Market" (Xinhua/Li Ying)

BRITAIN-LONDON-WORLD TRAVEL MARKET-CHINA PAVILION

BRITAIN-LONDON-WORLD TRAVEL MARKET-CHINA PAVILION

(231107) -- LONDON, Nov. 7, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A visitor smells a sachet at the China pavilion of the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 in London, Britain, Nov. 6, 2023. China made its comeback at the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 on Monday with a rich variety of tourism resources and services, drawing worldwide travel service providers and avid travelers who are eager to visit, or revisit, the country. TO GO WITH "Roundup: China's comeback meets high expectations at World Travel Market" (Xinhua/Li Ying)

BRITAIN-LONDON-WORLD TRAVEL MARKET-CHINA PAVILION

BRITAIN-LONDON-WORLD TRAVEL MARKET-CHINA PAVILION

(231107) -- LONDON, Nov. 7, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A visitor talks with a staff member at the China pavilion of the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 in London, Britain, Nov. 6, 2023. China made its comeback at the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 on Monday with a rich variety of tourism resources and services, drawing worldwide travel service providers and avid travelers who are eager to visit, or revisit, the country. TO GO WITH "Roundup: China's comeback meets high expectations at World Travel Market" (Xinhua/Li Ying)

BRITAIN-LONDON-WORLD TRAVEL MARKET-CHINA PAVILION

BRITAIN-LONDON-WORLD TRAVEL MARKET-CHINA PAVILION

(231107) -- LONDON, Nov. 7, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A woman visits the China pavilion of the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 in London, Britain, Nov. 6, 2023. China made its comeback at the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 on Monday with a rich variety of tourism resources and services, drawing worldwide travel service providers and avid travelers who are eager to visit, or revisit, the country. TO GO WITH "Roundup: China's comeback meets high expectations at World Travel Market" (Xinhua/Li Ying)

BRITAIN-LONDON-WORLD TRAVEL MARKET-CHINA PAVILION

BRITAIN-LONDON-WORLD TRAVEL MARKET-CHINA PAVILION

(231107) -- LONDON, Nov. 7, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A visitor gets a set of cultural and creative product at the China pavilion of the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 in London, Britain, Nov. 6, 2023. China made its comeback at the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 on Monday with a rich variety of tourism resources and services, drawing worldwide travel service providers and avid travelers who are eager to visit, or revisit, the country. TO GO WITH "Roundup: China's comeback meets high expectations at World Travel Market" (Xinhua/Li Ying)

BRITAIN-LONDON-WORLD TRAVEL MARKET-CHINA PAVILION

BRITAIN-LONDON-WORLD TRAVEL MARKET-CHINA PAVILION

(231107) -- LONDON, Nov. 7, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People visit the China pavilion of the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 in London, Britain, Nov. 6, 2023. China made its comeback at the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 on Monday with a rich variety of tourism resources and services, drawing worldwide travel service providers and avid travelers who are eager to visit, or revisit, the country. TO GO WITH "Roundup: China's comeback meets high expectations at World Travel Market" (Xinhua/Li Ying)

BRITAIN-LONDON-WORLD TRAVEL MARKET-CHINA PAVILION

BRITAIN-LONDON-WORLD TRAVEL MARKET-CHINA PAVILION

(231107) -- LONDON, Nov. 7, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A visitor holds a sachet at the China pavilion of the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 in London, Britain, Nov. 6, 2023. China made its comeback at the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 on Monday with a rich variety of tourism resources and services, drawing worldwide travel service providers and avid travelers who are eager to visit, or revisit, the country. TO GO WITH "Roundup: China's comeback meets high expectations at World Travel Market" (Xinhua/Li Ying)

CHINA-SHENYANG-ANCIENT BOOKS RESTORING-EXPERTISE(CN)

CHINA-SHENYANG-ANCIENT BOOKS RESTORING-EXPERTISE(CN)

(230423) -- SHENYANG, April 23, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Wang Bin teaches students in Luxun Academy of Fine Arts in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 20, 2023. Liaoning Provincial Library, located in Shenyang City of northeast China's Liaoning, is home to a collection of 610,000 pieces of ancient books. Wang Bin, who has been an avid reader since childhood and pursued her passion by studying library management, leads the restoration team at the library's center for restoring ancient books. Depending on the extent of damage, the restoring process can take from several weeks to a year, and every step must be taken carefully without any mistakes. "During the restoration process, I can establish a connection with the ancients across time and space through the books," Wang said. Nowadays, an increasing number of people show interests in learning how to restore ancient books. For Wang, she occasionally goes to college and gives lectures to students majoring in related fields. By demonstrating h

CHINA-SHENYANG-ANCIENT BOOKS RESTORING-EXPERTISE(CN)

CHINA-SHENYANG-ANCIENT BOOKS RESTORING-EXPERTISE(CN)

(230423) -- SHENYANG, April 23, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Wang Bin teaches students in Luxun Academy of Fine Arts in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 20, 2023. Liaoning Provincial Library, located in Shenyang City of northeast China's Liaoning, is home to a collection of 610,000 pieces of ancient books. Wang Bin, who has been an avid reader since childhood and pursued her passion by studying library management, leads the restoration team at the library's center for restoring ancient books. Depending on the extent of damage, the restoring process can take from several weeks to a year, and every step must be taken carefully without any mistakes. "During the restoration process, I can establish a connection with the ancients across time and space through the books," Wang said. Nowadays, an increasing number of people show interests in learning how to restore ancient books. For Wang, she occasionally goes to college and gives lectures to students majoring in related fields. By demonstrating h

CHINA-SHENYANG-ANCIENT BOOKS RESTORING-EXPERTISE(CN)

CHINA-SHENYANG-ANCIENT BOOKS RESTORING-EXPERTISE(CN)

(230423) -- SHENYANG, April 23, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Wang Bin restores a book at Liaoning Provincial Library in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 21, 2023. Liaoning Provincial Library, located in Shenyang City of northeast China's Liaoning, is home to a collection of 610,000 pieces of ancient books. Wang Bin, who has been an avid reader since childhood and pursued her passion by studying library management, leads the restoration team at the library's center for restoring ancient books. Depending on the extent of damage, the restoring process can take from several weeks to a year, and every step must be taken carefully without any mistakes. "During the restoration process, I can establish a connection with the ancients across time and space through the books," Wang said. Nowadays, an increasing number of people show interests in learning how to restore ancient books. For Wang, she occasionally goes to college and gives lectures to students majoring in related fields. By demonstrating h

CHINA-SHENYANG-ANCIENT BOOKS RESTORING-EXPERTISE(CN)

CHINA-SHENYANG-ANCIENT BOOKS RESTORING-EXPERTISE(CN)

(230423) -- SHENYANG, April 23, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Wang Bin restores a book at Liaoning Provincial Library in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 21, 2023. Liaoning Provincial Library, located in Shenyang City of northeast China's Liaoning, is home to a collection of 610,000 pieces of ancient books. Wang Bin, who has been an avid reader since childhood and pursued her passion by studying library management, leads the restoration team at the library's center for restoring ancient books. Depending on the extent of damage, the restoring process can take from several weeks to a year, and every step must be taken carefully without any mistakes. "During the restoration process, I can establish a connection with the ancients across time and space through the books," Wang said. Nowadays, an increasing number of people show interests in learning how to restore ancient books. For Wang, she occasionally goes to college and gives lectures to students majoring in related fields. By demonstrating h

CHINA-SHENYANG-ANCIENT BOOKS RESTORING-EXPERTISE(CN)

CHINA-SHENYANG-ANCIENT BOOKS RESTORING-EXPERTISE(CN)

(230423) -- SHENYANG, April 23, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Wang Bin restores a book at Liaoning Provincial Library in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 21, 2023. Liaoning Provincial Library, located in Shenyang City of northeast China's Liaoning, is home to a collection of 610,000 pieces of ancient books. Wang Bin, who has been an avid reader since childhood and pursued her passion by studying library management, leads the restoration team at the library's center for restoring ancient books. Depending on the extent of damage, the restoring process can take from several weeks to a year, and every step must be taken carefully without any mistakes. "During the restoration process, I can establish a connection with the ancients across time and space through the books," Wang said. Nowadays, an increasing number of people show interests in learning how to restore ancient books. For Wang, she occasionally goes to college and gives lectures to students majoring in related fields. By demonstrating h

CHINA-SHENYANG-ANCIENT BOOKS RESTORING-EXPERTISE(CN)

CHINA-SHENYANG-ANCIENT BOOKS RESTORING-EXPERTISE(CN)

(230423) -- SHENYANG, April 23, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Wang Bin restores a book at Liaoning Provincial Library in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 21, 2023. Liaoning Provincial Library, located in Shenyang City of northeast China's Liaoning, is home to a collection of 610,000 pieces of ancient books. Wang Bin, who has been an avid reader since childhood and pursued her passion by studying library management, leads the restoration team at the library's center for restoring ancient books. Depending on the extent of damage, the restoring process can take from several weeks to a year, and every step must be taken carefully without any mistakes. "During the restoration process, I can establish a connection with the ancients across time and space through the books," Wang said. Nowadays, an increasing number of people show interests in learning how to restore ancient books. For Wang, she occasionally goes to college and gives lectures to students majoring in related fields. By demonstrating h

CHINA-SHENYANG-ANCIENT BOOKS RESTORING-EXPERTISE(CN)

CHINA-SHENYANG-ANCIENT BOOKS RESTORING-EXPERTISE(CN)

(230423) -- SHENYANG, April 23, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Wang Bin teaches students on thread-bound book making in Luxun Academy of Fine Arts in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 20, 2023. Liaoning Provincial Library, located in Shenyang City of northeast China's Liaoning, is home to a collection of 610,000 pieces of ancient books. Wang Bin, who has been an avid reader since childhood and pursued her passion by studying library management, leads the restoration team at the library's center for restoring ancient books. Depending on the extent of damage, the restoring process can take from several weeks to a year, and every step must be taken carefully without any mistakes. "During the restoration process, I can establish a connection with the ancients across time and space through the books," Wang said. Nowadays, an increasing number of people show interests in learning how to restore ancient books. For Wang, she occasionally goes to college and gives lectures to students majoring in related

CHINA-SHENYANG-ANCIENT BOOKS RESTORING-EXPERTISE(CN)

CHINA-SHENYANG-ANCIENT BOOKS RESTORING-EXPERTISE(CN)

(230423) -- SHENYANG, April 23, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Wang Bin restores a book at Liaoning Provincial Library in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 21, 2023. Liaoning Provincial Library, located in Shenyang City of northeast China's Liaoning, is home to a collection of 610,000 pieces of ancient books. Wang Bin, who has been an avid reader since childhood and pursued her passion by studying library management, leads the restoration team at the library's center for restoring ancient books. Depending on the extent of damage, the restoring process can take from several weeks to a year, and every step must be taken carefully without any mistakes. "During the restoration process, I can establish a connection with the ancients across time and space through the books," Wang said. Nowadays, an increasing number of people show interests in learning how to restore ancient books. For Wang, she occasionally goes to college and gives lectures to students majoring in related fields. By demonstrating h

CHINA-SHENYANG-ANCIENT BOOKS RESTORING-EXPERTISE(CN)

CHINA-SHENYANG-ANCIENT BOOKS RESTORING-EXPERTISE(CN)

(230423) -- SHENYANG, April 23, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Wang Bin teaches students in Luxun Academy of Fine Arts in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 20, 2023. Liaoning Provincial Library, located in Shenyang City of northeast China's Liaoning, is home to a collection of 610,000 pieces of ancient books. Wang Bin, who has been an avid reader since childhood and pursued her passion by studying library management, leads the restoration team at the library's center for restoring ancient books. Depending on the extent of damage, the restoring process can take from several weeks to a year, and every step must be taken carefully without any mistakes. "During the restoration process, I can establish a connection with the ancients across time and space through the books," Wang said. Nowadays, an increasing number of people show interests in learning how to restore ancient books. For Wang, she occasionally goes to college and gives lectures to students majoring in related fields. By demonstrating h

CHINA-SHENYANG-ANCIENT BOOKS RESTORING-EXPERTISE(CN)

CHINA-SHENYANG-ANCIENT BOOKS RESTORING-EXPERTISE(CN)

(230423) -- SHENYANG, April 23, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Wang Bin restores a book at Liaoning Provincial Library in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 21, 2023. Liaoning Provincial Library, located in Shenyang City of northeast China's Liaoning, is home to a collection of 610,000 pieces of ancient books. Wang Bin, who has been an avid reader since childhood and pursued her passion by studying library management, leads the restoration team at the library's center for restoring ancient books. Depending on the extent of damage, the restoring process can take from several weeks to a year, and every step must be taken carefully without any mistakes. "During the restoration process, I can establish a connection with the ancients across time and space through the books," Wang said. Nowadays, an increasing number of people show interests in learning how to restore ancient books. For Wang, she occasionally goes to college and gives lectures to students majoring in related fields. By demonstrating h

Chinese Kung Fu lady shows amazing skills in martial arts training

STORY: Chinese Kung Fu lady shows amazing skills in martial arts training DATELINE: Jan. 13, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:31 LOCATION: KUNMING, China CATEGORY: SPORTS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the martial arts training STORYLINE: Yang Hui, 26, lives in a rural area in Baoshan, southwest China's Yunnan Province. She is an avid fan of martial arts and combat fitness. From old tires to wooden stakes, she uses everything she can find to train herself. Her videos of practicing Kung Fu have gone viral online with millions of followers. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kunming, China. (XHTV)

U.S. Ambassador Emanuel rides local train in Japan

U.S. Ambassador Emanuel rides local train in Japan

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel (R), known as an avid railway fan, rides a Kominato Railway train in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 17, 2022. Emanuel, accompanied by Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno (L), enjoyed a 40-minute ride on the local line that started operating about 100 years ago.

Lady Gaga arrives in Japan

Lady Gaga arrives in Japan

NARITA, Japan - Popular American pop singer-songwriter Lady Gaga raises her left hand sporting a wrist band bearing a message, ''Nihon no tame ni Inori o (Pray for Japan),'' at Narita airport, east of Tokyo, on June 21, 2011, responding to cheers from some 200 avid fans who waited for her arrival.

Lady Gaga arrives in Japan

Lady Gaga arrives in Japan

NARITA, Japan - Popular American pop singer-songwriter Lady Gaga (far L) responds to cheers from some 200 avid fans who waited for her arrival at Narita airport, east of Tokyo, on June 21, 2011. She is visiting Japan mainly to attend a charity music event, to be held June 25, for the victims of the March 11 killer earthquake and tsunami in the northeast.

Traditional Japan village on verge of losing scenery

Traditional Japan village on verge of losing scenery

TOYAMA, Japan - This photo shows an inland area at dusk in Toyama Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast in May where houses are scattered in rice paddy fields. The 220-square-kilometer region in the city of Tonami, regarded as a typical Japanese agricultural village, draws avid photographers during a rice-planting period in May. But the area is now on the verge of losing its scenery as more rice fields are turning into residential areas due to a fall in the number of rice growers.

Schwarzenegger receives bouquet at Tokyo Int'l Film Festival

Schwarzenegger receives bouquet at Tokyo Int'l Film Festival

TOKYO, Japan - Film actor Arnold Schwarzenegger (L) receives a bouquet from Japanese judo gold medalist Ryoko Tamura (R), an avid fan of his, on Oct. 28 before the screening of ''The 6th Day.'' The screening marked the start of the 13th Tokyo International Film Festival, a nine-day event held in Tokyo's Shibuya district.

Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007)

Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007)

Natalie Portman & Dustin Hoffman Characters: Molly Mahoney, the Composer, Mr. Edward Magorium, Avid Shoe-Wearer Film: Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007) Director: Zach Helm 16 November 2007 Date: 16 November 2007

Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007)

Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007)

Dustin Hoffman Characters: Mr. Edward Magorium, Avid Shoe-Wearer Film: Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007) Director: Zach Helm 16 November 2007 Date: 16 November 2007

Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007)

Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007)

Natalie Portman & Dustin Hoffman Characters: Molly Mahoney, the Composer, Mr. Edward Magorium, Avid Shoe-Wearer Film: Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007) Director: Zach Helm 16 November 2007 Date: 16 November 2007

Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007)

Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007)

Dustin Hoffman Characters: Mr. Edward Magorium, Avid Shoe-Wearer Film: Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007) Director: Zach Helm 16 November 2007 Date: 16 November 2007

Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007)

Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007)

Dustin Hoffman Characters: Mr. Edward Magorium, Avid Shoe-Wearer Film: Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007) Director: Zach Helm 16 November 2007 Date: 16 November 2007

Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007)

Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007)

Natalie Portman & Dustin Hoffman Characters: Molly Mahoney, the Composer & Mr. Edward Magorium, Avid Shoe-Wearer Film: Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007) Director: Zach Helm 16 November 2007 Date: 16 November 2007

Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007)

Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007)

Dustin Hoffman Characters: Mr. Edward Magorium, Avid Shoe-Wearer Film: Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007) Director: Zach Helm 16 November 2007 Date: 16 November 2007

Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007)

Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007)

Dustin Hoffman & Natalie Portman Poster Characters: Mr. Edward Magorium, Avid Shoe-Wearer & Film: Mr. Magorium'S Wonder Emporium (2007) Director: Zach Helm 16 November 2007 Date: 16 November 2007

CARS

CARS

CARS LUIGI is voiced by TONY SHALHOUB Date: 2006

Fans of Japanese baseball player Ichiro log hand-made hit counter

Fans of Japanese baseball player Ichiro log hand-made hit counter

An avid fan of Ichiro Suzuki, a Japanese outfielder with the Miami Marlins in the Major League Baseball, replaces the last digit of the "Ichi-Meter" counter to raise the number of his career hits to 2,868 at a stadium in San Francisco on May 7, 2015, following a single to center field. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Star Wars parody items on display in Osaka

Star Wars parody items on display in Osaka

Chuichi Temura (R), an avid collector of movie goods, explains an item to a visitor at an exhibition of some 600 parody items of epic SF movie Star Wars series in Osaka on Sept. 15, 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Traditional Japan village on verge of losing scenery

Traditional Japan village on verge of losing scenery

TOYAMA, Japan - This photo shows an inland area at dusk in Toyama Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast in May where houses are scattered in rice paddy fields. The 220-square-kilometer region in the city of Tonami, regarded as a typical Japanese agricultural village, draws avid photographers during a rice-planting period in May. But the area is now on the verge of losing its scenery as more rice fields are turning into residential areas due to a fall in the number of rice growers. (Kyodo)

Lady Gaga arrives in Japan

Lady Gaga arrives in Japan

NARITA, Japan - Popular American pop singer-songwriter Lady Gaga (far L) responds to cheers from some 200 avid fans who waited for her arrival at Narita airport, east of Tokyo, on June 21, 2011. She is visiting Japan mainly to attend a charity music event, to be held June 25, for the victims of the March 11 killer earthquake and tsunami in the northeast. (Kyodo)

Lady Gaga arrives in Japan

Lady Gaga arrives in Japan

NARITA, Japan - Popular American pop singer-songwriter Lady Gaga raises her left hand sporting a wrist band bearing a message, ''Nihon no tame ni Inori o (Pray for Japan),'' at Narita airport, east of Tokyo, on June 21, 2011, responding to cheers from some 200 avid fans who waited for her arrival. (Kyodo)

Lianyungang Library

Lianyungang Library

Some avid readers are invited to experience the new library in Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province, on December 26, 2020.

Lianyungang Library

Lianyungang Library

Some avid readers are invited to experience the new library in Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province, on December 26, 2020.

North, South Korean basketball teams hold matches in Pyongyang

North, South Korean basketball teams hold matches in Pyongyang

Mixed teams of North and South Korean basketball players take part in friendly matches in Pyongyang on July 5, 2018. The event was proposed by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, reputed to be an avid basketball fan, during his historic summit on April 27 with South Korean President Moon Jae In. (Pool photo)(Kyodo) ==Kyodo