Shinzo Abe Of Liberal Democratic Party Makes Street Speech

Former Prime Minister and leader of Japan's main opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Shinzo Abe waves to supporters from his car during an election campaign on December 13, 2012 in Osaka, Japan. Japanese voters will go to the polls for a general election on December 16, 2012. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Kobe Luminarie 2012

People admire the Kobe Luminarie illuminations on December 6, 2012 in Kobe, Japan. Some 200,000 electric bulbs are lit up for the annual Japanese illumination event which begun in 1995 to commemorate the victims of the Hanshin Awaji Great Earthquake and this year will take place from December 6 - 17. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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General Election Campaign Officially Begins

Japan Restoration Party leader former Tokyo Govener Shintaro Ishihara (3rd L) speaks to voters as deputy leader Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto (3rd R) looks from the roof of a campagin car during their official election party campaign for the upcoming lower house election on December 4, 2012 in Osaka, Japan. Japanese vote in the general election on December 16. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Yellow Ginkgo Leaves In Himeji

Japanese men ride bicycle under a yellow ginkgo tree on November 28, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Local residents and tourists visit the city this time of year to observe the changing colors of the ginkgo tree leaves around the Himeji castle. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasine)

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Japan Self-Defense Force Himeji Base Military Exhibition

A young boy stands in front of an armed vehicle during the annual Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) military demonstration on November 25, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. The military exhibition and demonstration marks the 61-year anniversary of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force based in Himeji. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Autumn Colours In Kyoto

A man ferries tourists under maple trees on the Katsura river in Arashiyama on November 19, 2012 in Kyoto, Japan. Thousands of tourist come to enjoy the autumn colors of the maple leaves in Kyoto every year. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Female Sake Brew Master In Himeji

Misa Kawaisi, chief sake brew master, stirs fermenting sake at Nadagiku-Shozo sake brewery on November 16, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kawaishi, one of a few female sake brew masters, is an unique figure in male-diminated sake brewers world. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Japanese Traditional Falconry Performed At Himeji Castle

Japanese Nasu Animal Kingdom Sakurai Yuki performs owl flies s tourist take photographs during the demonstration of traditional Japanese falconry at Himeji Castle on November 4, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. A demonstration of this kind has not been held at the venue since the Samurai period. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Outdoor Tea Ceremony

A Japanese woman prepares green tea during an outdoor tea ceremony at Zuihoji Temple Park on November 2, 2012 in Kobe, Japan. The tea ceremony originated in 1950 to commemorate the 14th century governor Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his tea master Sen no Rikyu, who are said to have visited this area and enjoyed tea ceremonies here. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Jidai Matsuri In Kyoto

Japanese people wearing historical costume participate during the annual Jidai Festival on October 22, 2012 in Kyoto, Japan. Around 2000 people participate in the Jidai Matsuri festival which takes place every year on October 22 on the anniversary of the foundation of Kyoto. Participants dress in authentic costumes from almost every period of Japanese history and parade from the Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Usuki Lantern Festival

Bump Bamboo Poles

Team of Shrine Parishioners bump bamboo poles during the Usuki Lantern Festival at Usuki Hachiman Shrine on October 21, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. The annual Bamboo Lantern Festival features more than 1000 paper lanterns atop 3 metre long bamboo poles, whereby participants attempt to bump and take down the lanterns of others. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Takara-No-Ichi Ritual Takes Place

Japanese Miko shrine maidens attend a ceremony to present an offering of the first harvest of sacred rice during the Takara-No-Ichi ceremony at Sumiyoshi Shinto Shrine on October 17, 2012 in Osaka, Japan. The Takara-No-Ichi Shinto rice harvest ceremony dates back about 1800 years, and is held annually on October 17 with sacred rice that was planted June 14. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Nada Fight Festival 2012

Japanese Shrine Parishioners of Matsubara (front), Nakamura (center) and Kiga shrines, carry Yatai (portable shrines) during a parade as part of the Nada No Kenka Matsuri (Nada Fight Festival) at Matsubara on October 15, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Each Yatai weighs approximately two tonnes. The parade is the highlight of the shrine's Autumn Harvest Festival and attracts roughly 100,000 people. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Traditional Japanese Undergarments Known as "Fundoshi,"

A Japanese man wears Fundoshi, or loincloth as he stands on the side of the road for attends to Nada Kenka Matsuri, or Nada Fight Festival on October 14, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Preparation For Nada no Kenka Matsuri

Japanese children perform traditional dance  during the rehearsal preparation of Nada Kenka Matsuri or Nada Fight Festival at Shirahama town on October 5,2012 in Himeji, Japan. Nada Fighting Festival is one of biggest festival in Japan will hold on October 14 and 15 every years. Seven team of Shrine Parishioners carrying 7 portable shrine carried on the shoulders of the men in the parade and jolted against one another. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Dummies in Paddy Field

A dummies of dress as human stand paddy field during the harvest season on September 16,2012 Himeji, Japan. (photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Toy Stall of Road Side

Japanese girl walks pass the toy selling stall during the Kishiwada Danjiri Festival on September 15, 2012 in Kishiwada, Japan. The Kishiwada Danjiri festival is one of the most dangerous festivals, during which participants pull portable shrines very fast through the streets to the music of the flutes, bells and Taiko drums. The festival started 300 hundred years ago to pray for a good harvest. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

 

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Chocolate banana

Japanese vendor sits inside the chocolate banana selling stall during the Kishiwada Danjiri Festival on September 15, 2012 in Kishiwada, Japan. The Kishiwada Danjiri festival is one of the most dangerous festivals, during which participants pull portable shrines very fast through the streets to the music of the flutes, bells and Taiko drums. The festival started 300 hundred years ago to pray for a good harvest. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Kishiwada Danjiri Festival in Osaka

Team of men pull their portable shrine through the town of Kishiwada during the Kishiwada Danjiri Festival on September 15, 2012 in Kishiwada, Japan. The Kishiwada Danjiri festival is one of the most dangerous festivals, during which participants pull portable shrines very fast through the streets to the music of the flutes, bells and Taiko drums. The festival started 300 hundred years ago to pray for a good harvest. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Beer Festival

A woman walks as people enjoy the craft beer road side as part of the annual beer festival held by Brewing Company on September 8, 2012 in Osaka, Japan.  (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Daily Life In Japan's Largest Korean Town

A woman rides bicycle through the Korean Town at Ikuno, which is largest and famous Korean town in Japan on August 25, 2012 in Osaka, Japan. Ikuno Korean town is three hundred meters long shopping street with 150 Korean food and clothes stores, which is located between Tsuruhashi and Momodani JR station in Osaka. Japan and South Korea raise diplomatic tension triggered by South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak's visit to Takeshima Island on August 10, 2012. Japan Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda criticizing that South Korean President Lee Myung Bak's recent visit to Takeshima as 'illegal' according to Japan media. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)

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Village Mud Festival

Japanese festival-goers play in the mud during the village mud festival at Yumesaki on August 19, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. The festival is held to encourage youths of the village to participate in the community. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Kobe Seaside Bon Dance

Japanese man performs traditional Japanese dance during the Bon Dance festival on August 18,2012 in Kobe, Japan. That festival held ending period of Obon. Obon is an annual Buddhist event for commemorate to dead people as period of 13 to 15 of August is called Obon. Japanese Buddhists believed that each year during Obon the ancestral sprit return to their home in order to visit their relatives. Most Japanese go back to their native place in these days. People bring paper lanterns to their graves and bring their ancestral souls with candlelight back to their home on 13 of August and bring them back to their brave on 15 August. The huge symbol of fires and lantern guide to ancestral spirits back to where they come from. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Anti-nuclear activists protset in Hiroshima

Anti-nuclear activists march during a protest around the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on August 6, 2012 in Hiroshima. Japan. Japan marks the 67th anniversary of the first atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima by the United States on August 6, 1945, killing an estimated 70,000 people instantly with many thousands more dying over the following years from the effects of radiation. Three days later another atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, ending World War II. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

 

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Japan Marks 67th Anniversary Of Hiroshima Atomic Bomb

Japanese people stage a die-in protest in front of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, commonly called the Atomic Bomb Dome at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on August 6, 2012 in Hiroshima. Japan. Tomorrow marks the 67th anniversary of the first atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima by the United States on August 6, 1945, killing an estimated 70,000 people instantly with many thousands more dying over the following years from the effects of radiation. Three days later another atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, ending World War II. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Hiroshima To Mark 67th Anniversary Of Atomic Bomb

People visit the monument for atomic bomb vicitims at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on August 5, 2012 in Hiroshima. Japan. Tomorrow marks the 67th anniversary of the first atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima by the United States on August 6, 1945, killing an estimated 70,000 people instantly with many thousands more dying over the following years from the effects of radiation. Three days later another atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, ending World War II. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Traditional Himeji Takigi Noh Is Performed In Japan

Traditional Japanese Noh actors perform during the annual Himeji Takigi Noh Performance at Himeji Castel on August 3, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Takigi- Noh, or outdoor firelight Noh performance, dates back over thousand years and is performed in the darkness of the evening. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Cormorant Fishing Takes Place in Kyoto

A female cormorant fishing master Sawaki Mariko 38, uses a burning lantern and birds as she fishes on the Uji river on July 30, 2012 in Kyoto, Japan. The anciant fishing system, which sees fishermen use fire lanterns to illuminate the river to assist cormorants in catching their prey, runs from July to September in Arashiyama and Uji annually. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Exclusive Dog Beach Attracts Dog Lovers

Japanese man and his pet dog, Marine bath in the water at Takeno Beach on July 28, 2012 in Toyooka, Japan. This beach is especially open for dogs and their owners each summer between the months of June and September. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Anti-Nuclear Protest Continues In Japan

Anti-nuclear activists hold a protest against restarting the commercial nuclear reactors on July 27, 2012 in Osaka, Japan. Two of Japan's commercial nuclear reactors restarted after shut down due to safety concerns in the wake of the meltdowns at the Fukushima No. 1 plant in March 2011. Fifty commercial nuclear reactors are in Japan. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Japanese Yamabushi

Japanese man as Yamabushi, mountain ascetic performs a sacred fire ritual during a religious annual ceremony on 22 July, 2012 in Kyoto, Japan. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Tourists Visit Tottori Sand Dune in Japan

Two children walk on Tottori sand dunes on July 21, 2012 in Tottori, Japan. The dunes are over 30 km² but are decreasing in size as a result of the reforestation program following World War II. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Sand Sculptures Exhibited At Tottori Dune

Japanese woman walks beside of sand replica titled 'British Science ? Charles Robert Darwin' during the event of sand made olympic gold medal and logos carve at Sand Museum located in the Tottori Dun on July 20, 2012 in Tottori, Japan. Tottori Sand Museum is world's first ever sand museum and this year hosts their 5th exhibition, focusing on the theme of Great Britain as the nation celebrates hosting of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The exhibition is open to the public from April 14 to January, 2013. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Sand Museum Exhibits London 2012 Olympic Logo Sculptures

Japanese people put the finishing touches to a sand sculpture titled London Olympic Gold Medal and Logos, at Sand Museum located in the Tottori Dune on July 20, 2012 in Tottori, Japan. Tottori Sand Museum is world's first ever sand museum and this year hosts their 5th exhibition, focusing on the theme of Great Britain as the nation celebrates hosting of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The exhibition is open to the public from April 14 to January, 2013. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)

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Sunflowers In Full Bloom - Sayo

People walk through a sunflower field in full bloom on July 18, 2012 in Sayo, Japan. Approximately 1.2 million sunflowers are planted in 24.1 hectares at six sunflower fields in the city of Sayo. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Anti-Nuclear Activits Mark Last of Japan’s 50 Nuclear Reactors Goes Offline For Checks

Anti-nuclear activist carries sunflower at a demonstration of mark to first time in 42 years that the Japan’s electricity supply has not been derived energy from nuclear reactors at Minami-Hotie Park on May 5 2012 Osaka, Japan. Japan's last-operating nuclear plant at Tomari village was shut down on May 5. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Tulips Blossom In Japan

A child caries plant of tulips walk through the full bloom tulip field at Tanto Tulip Festival on May 1, 2012 in Toyooka, Japan. Hundreds of thousands of tulips in three hundred varieties are grown in designs and patterns for the festival. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Cherry Blossoms In Full Bloom In Japan

People row a boat under cherry blossoms at Sakuranomiya Park on April 9, 2012 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Sand Sculptures Exhibited At Tottori Dune

A sand replica titled 'British Literature William Shakespeare ' at Sand Museum located in the Tottori Dune on April 1, 2012 in Tottori, Japan. The 5th exhibition hosted by the world's first ever sand museum is focusing on the theme of 'Great Britain' as the nation celebrates it's hosting of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The exhibition is open to the public from April 14 through January, 2013 with fourteen foreign sculptors creating structures based on British themes such as the British Empire, Modern London and landmarks of London. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Japanese Macaques Suffer Hay Fever

A 19-year-old Japanese macaque monkey named Monday scratches her eyes while suffering an allergy to pollen from the cedar tree, at Awajishima Monkey Center on March 26, 2012 in Sumoto, Hyogo, Japan. Some twenty monkeys are suffering the effects of hay fever at this time of the year, with the typical symptoms being the same as with humans. Japanese government had plant cedar tree nationwide after the World War II for restore the nation’s forest. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Kids Perform Traditional Kabuki Drama at Outdoor Kabuki theater

Children perform in a traditional Kabuki during the Nanko-Kabuki Festival at an outdoor Kabuki theater on March 25, 2012 in Sayo, Japan. Elementary and junior high school students from three children's Kabuki clubs performed three old Kabuki dramas to mark the repair of the Nanko-Kabuki outdoor theater,115 years after the traditional theater was built in 1841. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Anti-Nuclear Activists Protest

Police officers stand guard during a demonstration against the use of nuclear power on the one-year anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2012 in Osaka, Japan. The earthquake and subsequent tsunami left 15,848 dead and 3,305 missing according to Japan's National Police Agency. Thousands of people still remain homeless and live in temporary dwellings. The Japanese government faces an uphill battle with the need to dispose of rubble and work toward economic recovery. Across the country people are taking part in ceremonies to pay respects to the people who lost their lives. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Over 80% of Japan's Nuclear Reactors Offline

A general view of Mihama nuclear power station No 1 reactor (R), No 2 reactor (C) and No 3 reactor (L) which is run by Kansai Electric Power Co, on March 8, 2012 in Mihama, Japan. Only two of Japan's 54 nuclear reactors are online 12 months after last year's March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Many of the reactors have been stopped for regular maintenance during which official stress tests are being conducted. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Sumo Wrestlers Prepare For Spring Tournament

Sumo wrestlers attend a morning practice session in preparation for the Grand Sumo Tournament at Yamasaka Shrine on March 3, 2012 in Osaka, Japan. The Osaka Grand Sumo Spring Tournament, known as the 'Rough Spring Tournament' will commence on March 11, until its conclusion on March 25 at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Job Fair For Bilingual Students in Kyoto

University students attend a job fair hosted by Works Japan Inc at Sangyo Kaikan on February 19, 2012 in Kyoto, Japan. About 30 leading international Japanese companies take a part in job fair and over thousand international students attend special seminars and lectures of job opportunities. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Naked Festival

Japanese men wear loincloths as they splash about in freezing cold water during Saidaiji Naked Festival, at Saidaiji Temple on February 18, 2012 in Okayama, Japan. Saidaiji Naked Festival (Hadaka Matsuri) is one of Japan's more eccentric festivals and take a place each year in the winter. About 9,000 men take part and battle to grab for pair of lucky sticks thrown by priests. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Japan Prepare For St Valentine's Day

A woman walks past a decorated storefront window on February 12, 2012 in Kobe, Japan. Shops are putting out candy and other traditional gifts for the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday on February 14. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Oni Oi Festival

A man prays before walking across burning logs during the Oni Oi annual festival at Zuiganji Temple on February 11 in Himeji, Japan. Performers dressed as demons take part in the Oni Oi ceremonies at the Buddhist temple in the hope of bringing peace and fruitful harvests. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Japanese Monkeys Huddle To Keep Warm

Japanese macaque monkeys huddle together to protect themselves against the cold weather at Awajishima Monkey Center on February 10, 2012 in Sumoto, Hyogo, Japan. Severe winter weather has hit Japan with more heavy snow forecast today. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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Japan marks 17th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

People pray for the victims of the Kobe Great Earthquake during a memorial ceremony to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake on January 17, 2012 in Kobe, Japan. People gathered early this morning to pay their respects and light bamboo lanterns in the park for more than 6,000 people who lost their lives in the 7.3 magnitude earthquake. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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