Japanese climber's monument

Japanese climber's monument

KANDALAKSHA, Russia - A Sept. 7, 2013, photo shows flowers laid on the monument of the late Japanese climber Haruhisa Watanabe near Kandalaksha in Murmansk Oblast, Russia. Watanabe was killed at the age of 31 in a traffic accident in December 2012 in the Murmansk region while on a cycling expedition through Central Asia.

Controversy over A-bomb comic

Controversy over A-bomb comic

MATSUE, Japan - File photo shows copies of "Hadashi no Gen" (Barefoot Gen), an iconic Japanese comic serial about the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima, authored by the late Keiji Nakazawa. The Matsue city education board in Shimane Prefecture asked local elementary and junior high schools in December 2012 to restrict students' access to the cartoon books over some of the comic's graphics deemed violent. The request has sparked controversy.

'Barefoot Gen' marks 40th anniversary of publication

'Barefoot Gen' marks 40th anniversary of publication

OSAKA, Japan - File photo taken July 6, 2011, shows the late Keiji Nakazawa, author of "Hadashi no Gen (Barefoot Gen)," a Japanese manga series describing the life of a 6-year-old boy called Gen before and after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945. The series marked the 40th anniversary of its publication in 2013. Nakazawa died in December 2012.

New Komeito leader arrives in China

New Komeito leader arrives in China

BEIJING, China - New Komeito party leader Natsuo Yamaguchi receives flowers upon arrival at a hotel in Beijing on Jan. 22, 2013. Yamaguchi, carrying a letter from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, was the first senior lawmaker of the new Japanese government to travel to China since its establishment in late December 2012.

New Komeito leader arrives in China

New Komeito leader arrives in China

BEIJING, China - New Komeito party leader Natsuo Yamaguchi (C) arrives at Beijing airport on Jan. 22, 2013. Yamaguchi, carrying a letter from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, was the first senior lawmaker of the new Japanese government to travel to China since its establishment in late December 2012.

High school boy kills himself

High school boy kills himself

OSAKA, Japan - Yoshihiro Sato (R), principal of Sakuranomiya Senior High School, bows at the end of a press conference at the Osaka city offices in Osaka on Jan. 8, 2013. A 17-year-old student of the school committed suicide in late December 2012 after being physically punished by his basketball club adviser, the Osaka City Board of Education said the same day.