Japan’s main party leaders address upcoming election campaign

Japan’s Prime Minister Naoto Kan (C) during an election campaign in Fukui city, about 320 kilometers west of Tokyo, Japan July 2,2010. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery. 44Y4902

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader Sadakazu Tanigaki (C) during an election campaign in Fukui city, about 320 kilometers west of Tokyo, Japan July 2,2010. Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery. 44Y4826

Japan’s Prime Minister Naoto Kan (C) during an election campaign in
Fukui city about 320 kilometers west of Tokyo, Japan July 2,2010.
Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery.44Y5347

Japan's ruling party and main opposition party leaders arrive in the city of Fukui on the same day to address their supporters during an upcoming upper house election campaign. Fukui, Japan. 02/07/2010

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader Sadakazu Tanigaki (L) speaks
and his party Fukui candidate Yamazaki Masaaki(R) waves hand
 during an election campaign in Fukui city, about 320 kilometers
west of Tokyo, Japan July 2,2010.
Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery. 44Y4784

Official campaigning of upper house elections kicked off June 24 and election will be held July 11. Upcoming elections will be the first national poll since the DPJ came to power in last year September.

The upper house has less power in parliament’s two chambers. Lower house has authority to select a prime minister and make the budget pacts but upper house can reject other bills approved lower house. DPJ need majority of upper house chamber for smoothly run their policy.

Upper house has 242 seats members and election will held for select to 121 members. Half of the seats of upper house chamber are chosen by ballot every three years. Last upper house election was in July 2007.

Japan’s Prime Minister Naoto Kan Waves his supporters from car
during an election campaign in Fukui city, about 320 kilometers
 west of Tokyo, Japan July 2,2010.
Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery. 44Y5371

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader Sadakazu Tanigaki (C) and
his party Fukui candidate Yamazaki Masaaki(R) react
 during an election campaign in Fukui city, about 320 kilometers
west of Tokyo, Japan July 2,2010.
Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery. 44Y4793

Police officers carry small barricade and walk pass the political
campaigners during an election campaign in Fukui city, about 320
kilometers west of Tokyo, Japan July 2,2010.
Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery. 44Y4869

Japan’s Prime Minister Naoto Kan (R) and his party candidate
Inobe Kouta (C) react  during an election campaign in
Fukui city about 320 kilometers west of Tokyo, Japan July 2,2010.
Pic-Buddhika Weerasinghe/Street Photo Gallery.44Y5236

© Buddhika Weerasinghe

Japan soccer fans react, their country's way out the world cup.

Japan soccer fan reacts during a screening of the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at TV screen in Fukui about 320 kilometers, west of Tokyo, Japan June 29, 2010. Paraguay advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time with a 5-3 victory over Japan in penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw. ©Buddhika Weerasinghe 2009 - 2010

Japan soccer fan reacts during a screening of the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at TV screen in Fukui about 320 kilometers, west of Tokyo, Japan June 29, 2010. Paraguay advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time with a 5-3 victory over Japan in penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw. ©Buddhika Weerasinghe 2009 - 2010

Japan soccer fans react during a screening of the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at TV screen in Fukui about 320 kilometers, west of Tokyo, Japan June 29, 2010. Paraguay advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time with a 5-3 victory over Japan in penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw. ©Buddhika Weerasinghe 2009 - 2010

Japan soccer fans react during a screening of the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at TV screen in Fukui about 320 kilometers, west of Tokyo, Japan June 29, 2010. Paraguay advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time with a 5-3 victory over Japan in penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw. ©Buddhika Weerasinghe 2009 - 2010

Japan soccer fans react during a screening of the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at TV screen in Fukui about 320 kilometers, west of Tokyo, Japan June 29, 2010. Paraguay advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time with a 5-3 victory over Japan in penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw. ©Buddhika Weerasinghe 2009 - 2010

Japan soccer fans react during a screening of the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at TV screen in Fukui about 320 kilometers, west of Tokyo, Japan June 29, 2010. Paraguay advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time with a 5-3 victory over Japan in penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw. ©Buddhika Weerasinghe 2009 - 2010

Japan soccer fans react during a screening of the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at TV screen in Fukui about 320 kilometers, west of Tokyo, Japan June 29, 2010. Paraguay advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time with a 5-3 victory over Japan in penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw. ©Buddhika Weerasinghe 2009 - 2010

Japan soccer fan reacts during a screening of the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at TV screen in Fukui about 320 kilometers, west of Tokyo, Japan June 29, 2010. Paraguay advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time with a 5-3 victory over Japan in penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw.  ©Buddhika Weerasinghe 2009 - 2010

Japan soccer fans react during a screening of the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at TV screen in Fukui about 320 kilometers, west of Tokyo, Japan June 29, 2010. Paraguay advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time with a 5-3 victory over Japan in penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw. ©Buddhika Weerasinghe 2009 - 2010

Japan soccer fans react during a screening of the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at TV screen in Fukui about 320 kilometers, west of Tokyo, Japan June 29, 2010. Paraguay advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time with a 5-3 victory over Japan in penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw. ©Buddhika Weerasinghe 2009 - 2010

All Right @ Buddhika Weerasinghe ©Buddhika Weerasinghe 2009 - 2010

Monsoon clouds gather over the soccer ground at Japan

Japan’s junior high school soccer player of Nissin FC Soccer Club practices against the backdrop of monsoon clouds at college ground in Fukui city about 320 kilometers west of Tokyo, Japan, June 23,2010. Japan soccer team is playing third FIFA 2010 World Cup match against to Denmark in Group E, on tomorrow, June 24, 2010

Japan’s junior high school soccer player of Nissin FC Soccer Club practices against the backdrop of monsoon clouds at college ground in Fukui city about 320 kilometers west of Tokyo, Japan, June 23,2010. Japan soccer team is playing third FIFA 2010 World Cup match against to Denmark in Group E, on tomorrow, June 24, 2010

Japan’s junior high school soccer players of Nissin FC Soccer Club practice against the backdrop of monsoon clouds at college ground in Fukui city about 320 kilometers west of Tokyo, Japan, June 23,2010. Japan soccer team is playing third FIFA 2010 World Cup match against to Denmark in Group E, on tomorrow, June 24, 2010

Japan’s junior high school soccer player of Nissin FC Soccer Club practices against the backdrop of monsoon clouds at college ground in Fukui city about 320 kilometers west of Tokyo, Japan, June 23,2010. Japan soccer team is playing third FIFA 2010 World Cup match against to Denmark in Group E, on tomorrow, June 24, 2010

Japan’s junior high school soccer players of Nissin FC Soccer Club practice against the backdrop of monsoon clouds at college ground in Fukui city about 320 kilometers west of Tokyo, Japan, June 23,2010. Japan soccer team is playing third FIFA 2010 World Cup match against to Denmark in Group E, on tomorrow, June 24, 2010

Japan’s junior high school soccer players of Nissin FC Soccer Club practice against the backdrop of monsoon clouds at college ground in Fukui city about 320 kilometers west of Tokyo, Japan, June 23,2010. Japan soccer team is playing third FIFA 2010 World Cup match against to Denmark in Group E, on tomorrow, June 24, 2010

Japan’s junior high school soccer players of Nissin FC Soccer Club practice against the backdrop of monsoon clouds at college ground in Fukui city about 320 kilometers west of Tokyo, Japan, June 23,2010. Japan soccer team is playing third FIFA 2010 World Cup match against to Denmark in Group E, on tomorrow, June 24, 2010

All Right @ Buddhika Weerasinghe

Next generation vehicles drive by APEC ministers

Nissan Leaf Electric car has display duringthe next generation vehicle test drive at commercial port in Tsuruga, Fukui prefectureabout 320 kilometers west Tokyo, Japan June 20,2010

Malaysia Deputy Secretary General Ministry of Energy,
Green Technology and water Loo Took Gee(R) reacts
after her  drives Suzuki car of next generation at commercial
port in Tsuruga, Fukui prefecture about 320 kilometers west
Tokyo, Japan June20,2010.

Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)forum　ministers of Japan, Malaysia, Thailand,Vietnam and senior officials join the test driving of next generation ecofriendly electric and hybrids vehicle just after hosted one-day energy meetingand agreed to promote of nuclear power as an environmentally friendly and cut greenhouse gas emissions in the region.

Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Masyuki
Naoshima (R) walks after driving test of Nissan Leaf car

 during the next generational vehicle test drive at commercial
port in Tsuruga, Fukui prefecture about 320 kilometers west
Tokyo, Japan June20,2010.

APEC ministers and senior officials haddrive Japan’s automakers manufactured different eco friendly car and jeep about650 meters at container yard in international commercial port. Japan’s Ministerof Economy, Trade and Industry Masayuki Naoshima was drive electric car ofNissan Leaf presently not in the market and Nissan automakers seeks to launch thatcar in late 2010 in Japan, the United States, and Europe market.

Nissan Leaf Electric car has display duringthe next generation vehicle
test drive at commercial port in Tsuruga, Fukui prefecture about 320
 kilometers west Tokyo, Japan June 20,2010

Nissan Leaf electric car have a range ofdrive about 160 kilometers per one time charge. If driver use air conditioningor other electric equipment, the range shrinks to 100 kilometers

Nissan Leaf Electric car has display duringthe next generation vehicle
test drive at commercial port in Tsuruga, Fukui prefecture
about 320 kilometers west Tokyo, Japan June 20,2010

Japan`s Minister of Economy, Trade andIndustry Masayuki Naoshima, Malaysia Deputy Secretary General Ministry of Energy,Green Technology and water Loo Took Gee, Thailand Minister of Energy Wannarat Channukul, Vietnam Vice Minister of Industry and Trade Do Huu Hao, InternationalEnergy Agencies and APEC officials were drive next generation eco friendly carand jeep manufactured by Nissan, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Honda, Mazda andSubaru automakers in Japan. Ministers and officials who had test drive took a placeat international commercial port in Tsuruga city, Fukui prefecture, about 320kilometers west Tokyo, Japan. Early join the test drive ministers and officialsvisit controversial "fast-breeder"Monju nuclear reactor, which located at Shiraki coastaltown in Tsuruga.

Japan’s Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) hadreactive controversial "fast-breeder" Monju nuclear reactor14 yearsafter May 6, 2010, the plant was shut down following a liquid of sodium leakedand fire in 1995. That fast breeder Monju nuclear reactor suspended four monthsafter start-up in August 1995.

Nissan Leaf Electric car has display duringthe next generation vehicle test
drive at commercial port in Tsuruga, Fukui prefecture about 320 kilometers
 west Tokyo, Japan June 20,2010

Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Masyuki
Naoshima drives of Nissan Leaf car of next generation front
  of the  coal power station at International commercial port in
 Tsuruga, Fukui prefecture about 320 kilometers west Tokyo,
  Japan June20,2010.

Japan's Journalist walks pass the Nissan Leaf car during the
  display of next generation vehicle at commercialport in 
 Tsuruga, Fukui prefecture about 320 kilometers west Tokyo,
Japan June20,2010.

Japan's Journalist shoot pictures during the next generation
  vehicle test drive at commercial port in Tsuruga, Fukui  
prefecture, about 320 kilometers west Tokyo, Japan June 20,  

Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Masyuki
Naoshima drives Nissan Leaf car during the next generation

vehicle test drive at commercial port in Tsuruga, Fukui prfecture
 about 320 kilometers west Tokyo, Japan June 20,2010

Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Masyuki
Naoshima (R) walks to driving Nissan Leaf car during the
 next generational vehicle test drive at commercial port in
Tsuruga, Fukui prefecture about 320 kilometers west Tokyo,
 Japan June20,2010.

 All Right @ Buddhika Weerasinghe

Anti-nuclera right activists held protest during the APEC summit.

During the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum abouthundred of activits Japanese Anti-nuclear right organization, human right and environment organization join together held the protest against to use nuclearpower for product to energy at Asia pacific region and controversial "fast-breeder" Monjunuclear reactor, which located at Fukui prefecture

American`s deputy secretary of energy DanielPoneman (C) 
shakes hands to Japan`s Minister of Economy, Trade and
Industry Masayuki Naoshima (R) during theAsia
Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum energy ministers
and senior officialsone day summit opening session on today,
June 19, 2010 at Fujitha hotel in Fukui prefecture, Japan..

During the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum abouthundred of activist s Japanese Anti-nuclear right organization, human right and environment organization join together held the protest against to use nuclearpower for product to energy at Asia pacific region and controversial "fast-breeder" Monjunuclear reactor, which located at Fukui prefecture.

Japan’s police officersstand guard front of the protesters during
the protest of Anti-nuclear right organization, human right 
 and environmentorganizations protest against to use nuclear power for
product to energy atAsia pacific region and 
controversial "fast-breeder" Monju nuclear reactor

 

APEC forum of energy ministers and senior officials agree tosupport promotion of nuclear power as an environmentally friendly energy during the one-day discussion of energysecurity and policies of Asia pacific region.

Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum energy ministers
and senior officialsone day summit opening session,
June 19, 2010 at Fujitha hotel in Fukui prefecture, Japan.

APEC summit took a place at Fujitha hotel in Fukui city about320 kilometers west Tokyo Japan. Fukui Prefecture is largest energy manufacturingprefecture in Japan said Masayuki Naoshima Minister of Economy, Trade andIndustry speaks during his well come reception speech of APEC energy ministers.

“Nuclear power use forenergy is not the solution for reduce the global warming. We require regioncountries use natural resources for power and energy product said, HendoSusumu, right activist of anti-nuclear organization in Nigata.

Japan’s police officersstand guard front of the protesters during
the protest of Anti-nuclear right organization, human right 
 and environmentorganizations protest against to use nuclear power for
product to energy atAsia pacific region and 
controversial "fast-breeder" Monju nuclear reactor

Japan`s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Masayuki
Naoshima during the local government press

American`s deputy secretary of energy DanielPoneman (C) 
shakes hands to Japan`s Minister of Economy, Trade and
Industry Masayuki Naoshima (R) during theAsia
Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum energy ministers
and senior officialsone day summit opening session on today,
June 19, 2010 at Fujitha hotel in Fukui prefecture, Japan..

Japan’s police officerstands guard front of the protesters during
the protest of Anti-nuclear right organization, human right 
 and environmentorganizations protest against to use nuclear power for
product to energy atAsia pacific region and 
controversial "fast-breeder" Monju nuclear reactor

All Right @ Buddhika Weerasinghe

APEC energy ministers will meet discuss to region low carbon path to energy security

Japanese man walks pass the APEC sign board atFujita hotel in Fukui city, about 320 kilometers west of Tokyo in Japan. Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum countries ministers ofenergy will meet this weekend, June 19, 2010 at Fukui city in Japan, to discussenergy security at region.

Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum countries of energy ministers will meet this weekend, June 19, 2010 at Fukui city in Japan, to discuss energy security, energy policies for the effective and clean use of limited natural resources, and the promotion of the deployment of low carbon emission energies, under the main theme of “Low Carbon Path to Energy Security.”

APEC energy ministers meeting will held at Fujita hotel in Fukui city, it locate about 320 kilometers west of Tokyo in Japan.

Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong - China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, United States and Vietnam Energy ministers from that 21-member APEC forum, along with representatives of the International Energy Agency and APEC Secretariat will participate.

All Right @ Buddhika Weerasinghe