Runner of 30-yr-old kids bookstore in Japan

SHIMONOSEKI, Japan - Masako Yokoyama is photographed on Oct. 13, 2009 in the children's bookstore ''kobomonohiroba'' (A Square for Children) that she opened 30 years ago in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Yokoyama believes that books are an important way for kids and parents to bond even though portable game consoles and digital gadgets have become hugely popular among children. (Kyodo)