Emperor, empress visit Fukushima's radiation-hit areas

Emperor, empress visit Fukushima's radiation-hit areas

KAWAMATA, Japan - Emperor Akihito (L) and Empress Michiko meet people still suffering from the aftermath of the nuclear plant accident triggered by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, at a temporary schoolhouse in the town of Kawamata, Fukushima Prefecture, on July 22, 2013.

Ikeda Elementary School reopens 80 days after attack

Ikeda Elementary School reopens 80 days after attack

OSAKA, Japan - Pupils of Ikeda Elementary School in Ikeda, Osaka Prefecture gather in the schoolyard in front of a temporary schoolhouse on Aug. 27 for a ceremony to start the second term of the year. The school reopened 80 days after a knife-wielding man slaughtered eight children there on June 8.

HOLES

HOLES

HOLES PATRICIA ARQUETTE as Kate Barlow Date: 2003

Osaka pupils find 5th-century clay figure fractions

Osaka pupils find 5th-century clay figure fractions

Students at an elementary school in Fujiidera, Osaka Prefecture, unearth fractions of clay figures from around the 5th century at the planned construction site for a temporary schoolhouse on Feb. 25, 2015, for a hands-on experience in excavation. The western Japanese city aims to register the "Mozu-Furuichi Kofungun," an ancient tumulus clusters, on the UNESCO World Heritage list together with the prefecture and other cities. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Debate continues on whether to keep tsunami-hit schoolhouse

Debate continues on whether to keep tsunami-hit schoolhouse

The Okawa Elementary School building in the northeastern Japan city of Ishinomaki hit by the 2011 earthquake and ensuing tsunami is shown on Feb. 20, 2015, as debate continues over whether to preserve the structure where 84 pupils and teachers either died or remain missing. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Ikeda Elementary School reopens 80 days after attack

Ikeda Elementary School reopens 80 days after attack

OSAKA, Japan - Pupils of Ikeda Elementary School in Ikeda, Osaka Prefecture gather in the schoolyard in front of a temporary schoolhouse on Aug. 27 for a ceremony to start the second term of the year. The school reopened 80 days after a knife-wielding man slaughtered eight children there on June 8.