Wild Hooded Cranes Contaminated with Avian Flu

The city of Izumi announced on December 27 that three wild hooded cranes were confirmed to be contaminated with highly-pathogenic avian flu. They were found dead on December 21 in the Izumi Plains, Kagoshima Prefecture and got a thorough examination at laboratory tests. The Izumi Plains are designated as a special protected-area by the nation. About ten thousand cranes come flying every year to stay over the winter from October to March. (Sankei News)

"CLEANING THE BODY" at Horyuji-temple to Clean One Year's Dust

An annual event of cleaning images of Buddha was held on December 8 at Horyuji-temple that has the oldest wooden building in the world. The event has been staged since it was designated as the World Heritage in 1994. Priests wearing masks dusted statues of a national treasure carefully to prepare for the coming New Year. (Sankei News)

Gathering Fallen Leaves

About 150 local middle school students, shop owners and residents gathered at the tinted oak-tree avenue of Suginami, Tokyo to sweep fallen leaves on December 4. Due to the strong wind on the day, they gathered together leaves as much as 100 70-liter garbage bags. Collected leaves are to be turned into humus soil. (Sankei News)