Pictures of the Week (Jul. 11 – Jul. 17)

Robot Pepper Starts to work in NESCAFE Coffee Shop
Tokyo, Japan – Customers greet the humanoid robot Pepper on its first day as a new member of staff at the Nescafe coffee shop in Tokyo’s Harajuku district, July 11, 2015. Six robots are programmed to interact with people while introducing the Nescafe products during a special event “The world’s Future cafe by NESCAFE with Pepper.” (Photo by Rodrigo Reyes Marin/AFLO)

Mitama Festival in Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan – Participants carry a portable shrine between the lanterns lining the path to the Yasukuni Shrine during the annual Mitama Festival, July, 13, 2015. (Photo by Rodrigo Reyes Marin/AFLO)

Japanese protest against government security bills
Tokyo, Japan – Protesters voice their opposition to the government-sponsored security related bills as they take to the streets around the Diet in Tokyo, July 14, 2015. (Photo by Natsuki Sakai/AFLO)

World Surf League - Shonan Open
Kanagawa, Japan – Mitchell Parkinson in action during the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series, Murasaki Sports Presents Shonan Open at Kugenuma Kaigan, July 15, 2015. (Photo by AFLO SPORT)

Japan's Lower House debates new security related bills
Tokyo, Japan – Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, seated at center, watches opposition lawmakers make their strong protest to the chairman trying to obstruct proceedings during a vote on the government-sponsored security related bills in a Diet lower house special committee on national security in Tokyo, July 15, 2015. The committee voted to approve the bills with the support of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner Komeito. The bills will be put to a vote in a Diet plenary session as early as July 16, after which it will be sent to the upper house. The bills, when enacted, will allow Japan to exercise its right to collective self-defense. (Photo by Natsuki Sakai/AFLO)