Cote d
Cote d'Ivoire Ambassador Jerome Kloh Weya (third from left) is joined in a cake-cutting ceremony by (from left) Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Parliamentary Secretary Hidemichi Sato; House of Representatives member Asahiko Mihara; Japan-AU Parliamentary Friendship Association Chairman Ichiro Aisawa; State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Daishiro Yamagiwa; and Former Japanese Ambassador to Cote d'lvoire and Chairman of the Preparatory Committee of Founding the Japan-Cote d'lvoire Friendship Association Yuji Kurokawa during a reception to celebrate the 55th Cote d'lvoire Independence Anniversary (Aug. 7) at the Palace Hotel Tokyo on Sept. 17. | NAOTO YAGI

From left, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Takashi Uto; boxer Manny Pacquiao; Maria Teresa, the Philippine Ambassador
From left, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Takashi Uto; boxer Manny Pacquiao; Maria Teresa, the Philippine Ambassador's wife; Philippine Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez; Jenavilla Shigemizu, chairperson of the Philippine Festival 2015; Nobuteru Ishihara, vice chair of the Japan-Philippines Parliamentarians Friendship League; and Miss Universe Tokyo 2014 First Runner Up and Miss Philippines-Japan 2013 Mayu Eustaquio Murakami following the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Philippine Festival 2015 at Yoyogi Park event square on Sept. 19 | YOSHIAKI MIURA

The New York Times Company Chief Executive Officer Mark Thompson shakes hands with The Japan Times President Takeharu Tsutsumi, Sept. 25. Following a meeting at The Japan Times offices, both expressed great satisfaction with their ongoing publishing tie-up.
The New York Times Company Chief Executive Officer Mark Thompson shakes hands with The Japan Times President Takeharu Tsutsumi, Sept. 25. Following a meeting at The Japan Times offices, both expressed great satisfaction with their ongoing publishing tie-up. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Armenian Ambassador Grant Pogosyan (third from right) and his wife, Natalia prepare to toast with, from left, Sumio Edamura, chairman of Japan-Armenia Friendship Association; Takeshi Matsumoto, former foreign minister; State Minister for Foreign Affairs Minoru Kiuchi; and Seishiro Eto, chairman of Japan-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship League during a reception to celebrate the 24th anniversary of independence of the Republic of Armenia at the Hotel Okura Tokyo on Sept. 24.
Armenian Ambassador Grant Pogosyan (third from right) and his wife, Natalia prepare to toast with, from left, Sumio Edamura, chairman of Japan-Armenia Friendship Association; Takeshi Matsumoto, former foreign minister; State Minister for Foreign Affairs Minoru Kiuchi; and Seishiro Eto, chairman of Japan-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship League during a reception to celebrate the 24th anniversary of independence of the Republic of Armenia at the Hotel Okura Tokyo on Sept. 24. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Uzbekistan Ambassador Farrukh Tursunov (center), and his wife, Madina welcome Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kentaro Sonoura (right), during a reception to celebrate the country
Uzbekistan Ambassador Farrukh Tursunov (center), and his wife, Madina welcome Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kentaro Sonoura (right), during a reception to celebrate the country's independence day at the Hotel Okura, Tokyo on Sept. 25. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Australian Ambassador Bruce Miller (right) and Hisaaki Takei, Senior Corporate Executive Officer of Prince Hotels, Inc., shake hands at the opening ceremony of the Australia Food & Wine Fair at the Prince Park Tower Tokyo on Sept. 28. The fair will be held at 43 restaurants in seven Prince Hotels in the Tokyo Metropolitan area through November.
Australian Ambassador Bruce Miller (right) and Hisaaki Takei, Senior Corporate Executive Officer of Prince Hotels, Inc., shake hands at the opening ceremony of the Australia Food & Wine Fair at the Prince Park Tower Tokyo on Sept. 28. The fair will be held at 43 restaurants in seven Prince Hotels in the Tokyo Metropolitan area through November. | HIROKO INOUE