Search｜Photos & Images & Videos｜KYODO NEWS IMAGES INC

Caroline Darian, Gisele Pelicot's Daughter, Is No Longer Speaking to Her Mother

Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisèle Pelicot, broke off all contact with her mother after the trial of her father Dominique Pelicot, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging, raping and having his wife raped by other men. During the trial, Caroline, who claims to have also been abused by her father, felt betrayed by her mother, who refused to believe her accusations despite the discovery of compromising photos of her on Dominique's computer. She blames Gisèle for abandoning her, for never trying to get her husband to confess and for silencing her when she expressed her pain. While Gisèle has become a media figure and a symbol of victimhood, Caroline says she feels like a ‘forgotten victim’. For her, her mother is not a heroine. Today, she only addresses her with distant pleasantries and believes that Gisèle failed in her role as a mother. -- File photo - Gisele Pelicot’s children Caroline Darian (R) and David arrive at the courthouse for a hearing in the trial of Dominique Pelicot accused of druggi

E

Caroline Darian, Gisele Pelicot's Daughter, Is No Longer Speaking to Her Mother

Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisèle Pelicot, broke off all contact with her mother after the trial of her father Dominique Pelicot, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging, raping and having his wife raped by other men. During the trial, Caroline, who claims to have also been abused by her father, felt betrayed by her mother, who refused to believe her accusations despite the discovery of compromising photos of her on Dominique's computer. She blames Gisèle for abandoning her, for never trying to get her husband to confess and for silencing her when she expressed her pain. While Gisèle has become a media figure and a symbol of victimhood, Caroline says she feels like a ‘forgotten victim’. For her, her mother is not a heroine. Today, she only addresses her with distant pleasantries and believes that Gisèle failed in her role as a mother. -- File photo - Gisele Pelicot arrives at the Avignon courthouse to attend the trial of her former partner Dominique Pelicot accused of drugging her for nearly te

E

Caroline Darian, Gisele Pelicot's Daughter, Is No Longer Speaking to Her Mother

Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisèle Pelicot, broke off all contact with her mother after the trial of her father Dominique Pelicot, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging, raping and having his wife raped by other men. During the trial, Caroline, who claims to have also been abused by her father, felt betrayed by her mother, who refused to believe her accusations despite the discovery of compromising photos of her on Dominique's computer. She blames Gisèle for abandoning her, for never trying to get her husband to confess and for silencing her when she expressed her pain. While Gisèle has become a media figure and a symbol of victimhood, Caroline says she feels like a ‘forgotten victim’. For her, her mother is not a heroine. Today, she only addresses her with distant pleasantries and believes that Gisèle failed in her role as a mother. -- File photo - Portrait of Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisele Pelicot during her book signing, on March 6, 2025 to mark the release of her new book, Pour que l'

E

Caroline Darian, Gisele Pelicot's Daughter, Is No Longer Speaking to Her Mother

Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisèle Pelicot, broke off all contact with her mother after the trial of her father Dominique Pelicot, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging, raping and having his wife raped by other men. During the trial, Caroline, who claims to have also been abused by her father, felt betrayed by her mother, who refused to believe her accusations despite the discovery of compromising photos of her on Dominique's computer. She blames Gisèle for abandoning her, for never trying to get her husband to confess and for silencing her when she expressed her pain. While Gisèle has become a media figure and a symbol of victimhood, Caroline says she feels like a ‘forgotten victim’. For her, her mother is not a heroine. Today, she only addresses her with distant pleasantries and believes that Gisèle failed in her role as a mother. -- File photo - Fnac Saint-Lazare welcomes Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisele Pelicot, for a meeting followed by a book signing, on March 6, 2025 to mark the rel

E

Caroline Darian, Gisele Pelicot's Daughter, Is No Longer Speaking to Her Mother

Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisèle Pelicot, broke off all contact with her mother after the trial of her father Dominique Pelicot, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging, raping and having his wife raped by other men. During the trial, Caroline, who claims to have also been abused by her father, felt betrayed by her mother, who refused to believe her accusations despite the discovery of compromising photos of her on Dominique's computer. She blames Gisèle for abandoning her, for never trying to get her husband to confess and for silencing her when she expressed her pain. While Gisèle has become a media figure and a symbol of victimhood, Caroline says she feels like a ‘forgotten victim’. For her, her mother is not a heroine. Today, she only addresses her with distant pleasantries and believes that Gisèle failed in her role as a mother. -- File photo - Gisele Pelicot arrives at the courthouse on December 4, 2024 in Avignon south of France. French prosecutors have demanded that Dominique Pelicot b

E

Caroline Darian, Gisele Pelicot's Daughter, Is No Longer Speaking to Her Mother

Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisèle Pelicot, broke off all contact with her mother after the trial of her father Dominique Pelicot, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging, raping and having his wife raped by other men. During the trial, Caroline, who claims to have also been abused by her father, felt betrayed by her mother, who refused to believe her accusations despite the discovery of compromising photos of her on Dominique's computer. She blames Gisèle for abandoning her, for never trying to get her husband to confess and for silencing her when she expressed her pain. While Gisèle has become a media figure and a symbol of victimhood, Caroline says she feels like a ‘forgotten victim’. For her, her mother is not a heroine. Today, she only addresses her with distant pleasantries and believes that Gisèle failed in her role as a mother. -- File photo - Fnac Saint-Lazare welcomes Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisele Pelicot, for a meeting followed by a book signing, on March 6, 2025 to mark the rel

E

Caroline Darian, Gisele Pelicot's Daughter, Is No Longer Speaking to Her Mother

Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisèle Pelicot, broke off all contact with her mother after the trial of her father Dominique Pelicot, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging, raping and having his wife raped by other men. During the trial, Caroline, who claims to have also been abused by her father, felt betrayed by her mother, who refused to believe her accusations despite the discovery of compromising photos of her on Dominique's computer. She blames Gisèle for abandoning her, for never trying to get her husband to confess and for silencing her when she expressed her pain. While Gisèle has become a media figure and a symbol of victimhood, Caroline says she feels like a ‘forgotten victim’. For her, her mother is not a heroine. Today, she only addresses her with distant pleasantries and believes that Gisèle failed in her role as a mother. -- File photo - Gisele Pelicot and her lawyer Stephane Babonneau at the Avignon courthouse during the trial of her former partner Dominique Pelicot accused of dru

E

Caroline Darian, Gisele Pelicot's Daughter, Is No Longer Speaking to Her Mother

Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisèle Pelicot, broke off all contact with her mother after the trial of her father Dominique Pelicot, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging, raping and having his wife raped by other men. During the trial, Caroline, who claims to have also been abused by her father, felt betrayed by her mother, who refused to believe her accusations despite the discovery of compromising photos of her on Dominique's computer. She blames Gisèle for abandoning her, for never trying to get her husband to confess and for silencing her when she expressed her pain. While Gisèle has become a media figure and a symbol of victimhood, Caroline says she feels like a ‘forgotten victim’. For her, her mother is not a heroine. Today, she only addresses her with distant pleasantries and believes that Gisèle failed in her role as a mother. -- File photo - Caroline Darian, Dominique and Gisele Pelicot daughter arrives at the judicial court in Avignon, France on December 19, 2024. Photo by Laurent Cou

E

Caroline Darian, Gisele Pelicot's Daughter, Is No Longer Speaking to Her Mother

Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisèle Pelicot, broke off all contact with her mother after the trial of her father Dominique Pelicot, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging, raping and having his wife raped by other men. During the trial, Caroline, who claims to have also been abused by her father, felt betrayed by her mother, who refused to believe her accusations despite the discovery of compromising photos of her on Dominique's computer. She blames Gisèle for abandoning her, for never trying to get her husband to confess and for silencing her when she expressed her pain. While Gisèle has become a media figure and a symbol of victimhood, Caroline says she feels like a ‘forgotten victim’. For her, her mother is not a heroine. Today, she only addresses her with distant pleasantries and believes that Gisèle failed in her role as a mother. -- File photo - Gisele Pelicot’s children Caroline Darian (R) and David (C) arrive at the courthouse for a hearing in the trial of Dominique Pelicot accused of dr

E

Caroline Darian, Gisele Pelicot's Daughter, Is No Longer Speaking to Her Mother

Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisèle Pelicot, broke off all contact with her mother after the trial of her father Dominique Pelicot, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging, raping and having his wife raped by other men. During the trial, Caroline, who claims to have also been abused by her father, felt betrayed by her mother, who refused to believe her accusations despite the discovery of compromising photos of her on Dominique's computer. She blames Gisèle for abandoning her, for never trying to get her husband to confess and for silencing her when she expressed her pain. While Gisèle has become a media figure and a symbol of victimhood, Caroline says she feels like a ‘forgotten victim’. For her, her mother is not a heroine. Today, she only addresses her with distant pleasantries and believes that Gisèle failed in her role as a mother. -- File photo - Caroline Darian attending the Paris Book Fair (Festival du Livre de Paris) at the Grand Palais in Paris, France on April 12, 2025. Photo by Aurore

E

Caroline Darian, Gisele Pelicot's Daughter, Is No Longer Speaking to Her Mother

Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisèle Pelicot, broke off all contact with her mother after the trial of her father Dominique Pelicot, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging, raping and having his wife raped by other men. During the trial, Caroline, who claims to have also been abused by her father, felt betrayed by her mother, who refused to believe her accusations despite the discovery of compromising photos of her on Dominique's computer. She blames Gisèle for abandoning her, for never trying to get her husband to confess and for silencing her when she expressed her pain. While Gisèle has become a media figure and a symbol of victimhood, Caroline says she feels like a ‘forgotten victim’. For her, her mother is not a heroine. Today, she only addresses her with distant pleasantries and believes that Gisèle failed in her role as a mother. -- File photo - Gisele Pelicot’s daughter Caroline Darian arrives at the courthouse for a hearing in the trial of Dominique Pelicot accused of drugging his wife G

E

Caroline Darian, Gisele Pelicot's Daughter, Is No Longer Speaking to Her Mother

Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisèle Pelicot, broke off all contact with her mother after the trial of her father Dominique Pelicot, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging, raping and having his wife raped by other men. During the trial, Caroline, who claims to have also been abused by her father, felt betrayed by her mother, who refused to believe her accusations despite the discovery of compromising photos of her on Dominique's computer. She blames Gisèle for abandoning her, for never trying to get her husband to confess and for silencing her when she expressed her pain. While Gisèle has become a media figure and a symbol of victimhood, Caroline says she feels like a ‘forgotten victim’. For her, her mother is not a heroine. Today, she only addresses her with distant pleasantries and believes that Gisèle failed in her role as a mother. -- File photo - Gisele Pelicot leaves the Avignon courthouse after hearing the defence's final plea at the trial of her former partner Dominique Pelicot accused o

E

Caroline Darian, Gisele Pelicot's Daughter, Is No Longer Speaking to Her Mother

Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisèle Pelicot, broke off all contact with her mother after the trial of her father Dominique Pelicot, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging, raping and having his wife raped by other men. During the trial, Caroline, who claims to have also been abused by her father, felt betrayed by her mother, who refused to believe her accusations despite the discovery of compromising photos of her on Dominique's computer. She blames Gisèle for abandoning her, for never trying to get her husband to confess and for silencing her when she expressed her pain. While Gisèle has become a media figure and a symbol of victimhood, Caroline says she feels like a ‘forgotten victim’. For her, her mother is not a heroine. Today, she only addresses her with distant pleasantries and believes that Gisèle failed in her role as a mother. -- File photo - Giséle Pelicot seen at the judicial court in Avignon, France on December 13, 2024. Photo by Laurent Coust/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Caroline Darian, Gisele Pelicot's Daughter, Is No Longer Speaking to Her Mother

Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisèle Pelicot, broke off all contact with her mother after the trial of her father Dominique Pelicot, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging, raping and having his wife raped by other men. During the trial, Caroline, who claims to have also been abused by her father, felt betrayed by her mother, who refused to believe her accusations despite the discovery of compromising photos of her on Dominique's computer. She blames Gisèle for abandoning her, for never trying to get her husband to confess and for silencing her when she expressed her pain. While Gisèle has become a media figure and a symbol of victimhood, Caroline says she feels like a ‘forgotten victim’. For her, her mother is not a heroine. Today, she only addresses her with distant pleasantries and believes that Gisèle failed in her role as a mother. -- File photo - Giséle Pelicot seen at the judicial court in Avignon, France on December 13, 2024. Photo by Laurent Coust/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Caroline Darian, Gisele Pelicot's Daughter, Is No Longer Speaking to Her Mother

Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisèle Pelicot, broke off all contact with her mother after the trial of her father Dominique Pelicot, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging, raping and having his wife raped by other men. During the trial, Caroline, who claims to have also been abused by her father, felt betrayed by her mother, who refused to believe her accusations despite the discovery of compromising photos of her on Dominique's computer. She blames Gisèle for abandoning her, for never trying to get her husband to confess and for silencing her when she expressed her pain. While Gisèle has become a media figure and a symbol of victimhood, Caroline says she feels like a ‘forgotten victim’. For her, her mother is not a heroine. Today, she only addresses her with distant pleasantries and believes that Gisèle failed in her role as a mother. -- File photo - Gisele Pelicot and her lawyer Stephane Babonneau arrive at the Avignon courthouse to attend the trial of her former partner Dominique Pelicot accu

E

Ritual for Aoi festival in Kyoto

A woman (3rd from L) playing the role of the "Saio-dai" heroine in the upcoming annual Aoi festival in Kyoto arrives at Kamigamo Shrine in the western Japan city on May 4, 2025.

E

Ritual for Aoi festival in Kyoto

A woman clad in a 12-layer traditional Japanese kimono, having been chosen to play this year's Saio-dai heroine during the upcoming annual Aoi Festival in Kyoto, purifies herself at Kamigamo Shrine in the western Japan city on May 4, 2025.

E

Ritual for Aoi festival in Kyoto

A woman clad in a 12-layer traditional Japanese kimono, having been chosen to play this year's Saio-dai heroine during the upcoming annual Aoi Festival in Kyoto, purifies herself at Kamigamo Shrine in the western Japan city on May 4, 2025.

E

Protest to Condemn Violence Against Women - Paris

Protester holding a sign with the words “ Heroine feminists, antifascists without borders” during a protest to condemn violence against women, called by feminist organisations two days prior to the international day for the elimination of violence against women, in Paris, on November 23, 2024. Photo by Alexis Jumeau/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Film director Shinkai

Japanese film director Makoto Shinkai (C) attends a press conference at the Berlin International Film Festival with producer Genki Kawamura (L) and actress Nanoka Hara, who voiced the heroine of Shinkai's anime film "Suzume," in Berlin on Feb. 23, 2023.

E

Film director Shinkai

Japanese film director Makoto Shinkai (R) speaks to reporters during his red-carpet appearance at the Berlin International Film Festival in Berlin on Feb. 23, 2023, with actress Nanoka Hara, who voiced the heroine of his anime film "Suzume."

E

Film director Shinkai

Japanese film director Makoto Shinkai (C) attends an official screening of his anime film "Suzume" at the Berlin International Film Festival with producer Genki Kawamura (L) and actress Nanoka Hara, who voiced the heroine of the film, in Berlin on Feb. 23, 2023.

E

Ritual for Aoi festival in Kyoto

A woman clad in a 12-layer traditional Japanese kimono, having been chosen to play this year's Saio-dai heroine during upcoming Aoi Festival in Kyoto, purifies herself at Shimogamo shrine in the western Japan city on May 4, 2024.

E

Ritual for Aoi festival in Kyoto

A woman clad in a 12-layer traditional Japanese kimono, having been chosen to play this year's Saio-dai heroine during upcoming Aoi Festival in Kyoto, purifies herself at Shimogamo shrine in the western Japan city on May 4, 2024.

E

Ritual for Aoi festival in Kyoto

A woman clad in a 12-layer traditional Japanese kimono, having been chosen to play this year's Saio-dai heroine during upcoming Aoi Festival in Kyoto, purifies herself at Kamigamo Jinja, a Shinto shrine in the city on May 4, 2023.

E

BELGIUM-BRUSSELS-FORGET ME-FRENCH VERSION-LAUNCH

(231024) -- BRUSSELS, Oct. 24, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Oct. 23, 2023 shows the launch ceremony of the French version of the book "Forget Me" by Chinese author Xu Feng, in Brussels, Belgium. The launch ceremony took place on Monday at the China Cultural Center in Brussels. The book tells the story of Qian Xiuling, known as a national heroine of Belgium for saving 110 Belgians from the hands of the Nazis during World War II. TO GO WITH "French version of "Forget Me" launched in Brussels" (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

E

BELGIUM-BRUSSELS-FORGET ME-FRENCH VERSION-LAUNCH

(231024) -- BRUSSELS, Oct. 24, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Guests attend the launch ceremony of the French version of the book "Forget Me" by Chinese author Xu Feng, in Brussels, Belgium, on Oct. 23, 2023. The launch ceremony took place on Monday at the China Cultural Center in Brussels. The book tells the story of Qian Xiuling, known as a national heroine of Belgium for saving 110 Belgians from the hands of the Nazis during World War II. TO GO WITH "French version of "Forget Me" launched in Brussels" (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

E

Ritual for Aoi festival in Kyoto

A woman clad in a 12-layer traditional Japanese kimono, having been chosen to play this year's Saio-dai heroine during upcoming Aoi Festival in Kyoto, purifies herself at Kamigamo Jinja, a Shinto shrine in the city on May 4, 2023.

E

Last trading day of 2014

TOKYO, Japan - American actress Charlotte Kate Fox, heroine of a Japanese television drama series, rings the closing bell during a ceremony at the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo's Nihombashi area on Dec. 30, 2014, the last trading day of the year.

E

Last trading day of 2014

TOKYO, Japan - American actress Charlotte Kate Fox, heroine of a Japanese television drama series, rings the closing bell during a ceremony at the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo's Nihombashi area on Dec. 30, 2014, the last trading day of the year.

E

2nd shooting of NHK TV drama 'Massan' starts

SAPPORO, Japan - Tetsuji Tamayama (2nd from L), a Japanese actor playing the lead role in NHK's morning serial TV drama "Massan," and Charlotte Kate Fox (C), a U.S. actress cast as the first foreign heroine in the public broadcaster's drama, pose with other cast members at a press conference during the second round of shooting in Yoichi on the northernmost main island of Hokkaido on Oct. 23, 2014.

E

Cast members of NHK's morning drama 'Gochisousan'

OSAKA, Japan - Heroine Anne Watanabe (C) and other cast members of Japanese public broadcaster NHK's serial morning TV drama "Gochisousan" (Thanks for the good meal!) pose after the completion of filming on Feb. 25, 2014.

E

Mizayaki film at Venice festival

VENICE, Italy - Studio Ghibli President Koji Hoshino (R) and Japanese actress Miori Takimoto stand up to receive an ovation after the screening of "Kaze Tachinu" (The Wind Rises) at the 70th Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Sept. 1, 2013. Hoshino said earlier in the day that the animation film's director Hayao Miyazaki has decided to retire. Takimoto was the voice of the heroine in the movie.

E

Israeli filmmaker locates Japanese woman featured in '50s picture book

TOKYO, Japan - Dvorit Shargal (R), an Israeli filmmaker, and Eva Crafoord from Sweden, hold a picture book titled "Eva visits Noriko-san" in Tokyo on Aug. 12, 2013. Shargal, after a three-year search, has located and met with Noriko-san, a Japanese woman who as a girl was featured in the book that has remained popular in Israel for more than half a century. Crafoord, who was the other heroine in the book and accompanied the filmmaker in her search for Noriko in Japan, also met with the woman. Shargal came to Tokyo on Aug. 12 to look for Noriko and feature her in a documentary film.

E

Japan toy show

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows Bandai Co.'s new smartphone-style toy at the 2013 International Tokyo Toy Show at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo's Koto Ward on June 13, 2013. The toy, a winner at the 2013 Japan Toy Awards, plays music and the voice of the heroine from the "Doki Doki! Precure" animated series.

E

Aoi festival in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - Maiko Nagase (L), sitting in a portable shrine in traditional Japanese costume, chats with her parents during the annual Aoi Matsuri in Kyoto on May 15, 2013. She was chosen to play the role of Saiodai, the heroine of the annual festival, one of the three main festivals in the ancient western capital.

E

Actress Sylvia Kristel dies

TOKYO, Japan - File photo shows Dutch actress Sylvia Kristel visiting Tokyo in January 1977. The "Emmanuelle" heroine has died aged 60, her agent said Oct. 18, 2012.

E

Actress Sylvia Kristel dies

TOKYO, Japan - File photo shows Dutch actress Sylvia Kristel holding a press conference in Tokyo in January 1977. The "Emmanuelle" heroine has died aged 60, her agent said Oct. 18, 2012.

E

Actress Sylvia Kristel dies

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in Tokyo in January 1977 shows Dutch actress Sylvia Kristel. The "Emmanuelle" heroine has died aged 60, her agent said Oct. 18, 2012.

E

"Wolf Children" model home

TOYAMA, Japan - Photo on Oct. 4, 2012, shows Masami Yamazaki and his wife Yoriko Yamazaki, who own an old house in the town of Kamiichi, Toyama Prefecture, which is the model for the home of the heroine and her children in the hit animation film "Okami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki" (The Wolf Children Ame and Yuki).

E

"Wolf Children" model home

TOYAMA, Japan - Photo on Oct. 4, 2012, shows an approximately 120-year-old house in the town of Kamiichi, Toyama Prefecture. The old folk dwelling has attracted fans as it is the inspiration for the home of the heroine and her children in the hit animation film "Okami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki" (The Wolf Children Ame and Yuki).

E

Lolita fashion contest in Shimotsuma

MITO, Japan - Yui Hosokawa smiles after winning a ''Lolita fashion'' contest in Shimotsuma, Ibaraki Prefecture, on Oct. 23, 2011. The city northeast of Tokyo was the location for the 2004 movie ''Shimotsuma Monogatari'' (Shimotsuma Story), released overseas with the title ''Kamikaze Girls,'' which features a Lolita fashion-wearing heroine.

E

Lolita fashion contest in Shimotsuma

MITO, Japan - Entrants in a ''Lolita fashion'' contest in Shimotsuma, Ibaraki Prefecture, on Oct. 23, 2011, line up on stage. The city northeast of Tokyo was the location for the 2004 movie ''Shimotsuma Monogatari'' (Shimotsuma Story), released overseas with the title ''Kamikaze Girls,'' which features a Lolita fashion-wearing heroine.

E

Heroine of Kyoto's Aoi Festival

KYOTO, Japan - Shiho Kanai, 23, who was selected for the role of Saiodai, the heroine of the upcoming Aoi Festival in Kyoto, dips her hands into a river as part of a purification ritual at Kyoto's Shimogamo Shrine on May 4, 2011, ahead of the ancient capital's major festival scheduled for May 15.

E

Morning drama 'Teppan' off to strong start

OSAKA, Japan - Miori Takimoto (L), heroine of the new NHK morning drama series ''Teppan,'' and Nao Matsushita, who was heroine of the previous series ''Gegege no Nyobo,'' pose for photos at the television station's Osaka bureau on Sept. 17, 2010.

E

Heroine of Kyoto's Aoi Festival purifies herself

KYOTO, Japan - Makiko Sen (C), who has been selected as the heroine of this year's Aoi Festival, one of the three major festivals in Kyoto, purifies herself in a ceremony May 4 by dipping her hands into a river at Shimogamo Shrine before the 1,400-year-old event on May 15.

E

S. Korean tourism ambassador calls on Koizumi

TOKYO, Japan - Popular South Korean actress Choi Ji Woo, who is a goodwill ambassador to promote tourism, poses with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi during her call at his office in Tokyo on July 22. Choi plays the heroine in the popular South Korean drama ''Winter Sonata,'' which has triggered a boom in modern South Korean culture in Japan.

E

TV actress Kobayashi dies at 66

TOKYO, Japan - Chitose Kobayashi (file photo taken in 1986), a famous actress in the early days of Japanese television broadcasting, died of heart failure Nov. 26, her family said. She was 66. Kobayashi was often featured in Japan Broadcasting Corp. (NHK) dramas and is known for playing the role of the mother of the heroine in a 1974 NHK drama series.

E

Aborigine running heroine Freeman lights the Olympic flame

SYDNEY, Australia - World champion sprinter Cathy Freeman, Australia's gold medal bet in the women's 400 meters and the first Aborigine to represent Australia in the Olympics, lights the Olympic flame on a cauldron submerged in water at the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics on Sept. 15.

E

Old loco marks centennial of author's birth

YUZAWA, Japan - An old-fashioned locomotive stands stationary Aug. 21 at Tsuchitaru railway station in Niigata Prefecture, central Japan. The loco leads a four-car train, the Komako, which is named after a geisha heroine in ''Yukiguni'' (Snow Country), authored by Nobel Prize winner Yasunari Kawabata (1899-1972). The train, whose operation marks the 100th anniversary of Kawabata's birth, shuttles between Yuzawa and Minakami in neighboring Gunma Prefecture.