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| 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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| 20-year-old Japanese women dressed in traditional kimonos pose for a picture during the Coming of Age Day at Cultural Hall on January 9, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. The event involves 20-year-old Japanese people celebrating their eligibility to drink alcohol, smoke and vote. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe) |
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A family flies kites during the 38th National Kyte-Flying Contest at
Himeji Park Horserace Course on January 8, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kite
flying is a typical New Year seasonal activity in Japan. Many local people and kite fans arrived to watch about
800 kites of 80 varieties fly from across Japan take a part in the annual kite
flying contest. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)
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| A Japanese Shinto priestess, Miko (shrine maidens) performs purification dance during the new year blessing at Sosha Shrine on January 1, 2012. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe) |
