Tokyo, Japan – Asahi Masuyama (Higashi Fukuoka) (R) in action during The 93rd All Japan High School Soccer Tournament Opening match between Higashi Fukuoka 2-0 Mitaka at Komazawa Olympic Park Stadium, December 30, 2015. (Photo by Shingo Ito/AFLO SPORT)
Tokyo, Japan – Shinto priests performs a purification ritual for a group of prayer ahead of the new year at Tokyo’s Kanda Myojin Shinto shrine, December 31, 2014. (Photo by Natsuki Sakai/AFLO)
Gunma, Japan – Runners head off from the starting line during the New Year Ekiden 2015 59th All Japan Industrial Ekiden Race Start & Goal, January 1, 2015. (Photo by YUTAKA/AFLO SPORT)
Tokyo, Japan – Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko wave to well-wishers with other members of the royal family from the balcony of the Imperial Palace during a New Year’s public appearance in Tokyo on Friday, January 2, 2015. (Photo by Natsuki Sakai/AFLO)