Tetsundo Iwakuni, the special envoy of Japan's Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, speaks during a PetroRabigh event near Jeddah November 8, 2009. Saudi Aramco inaugurated on Sunday the first phase of a giant petrochemical complex managed by PetroRabigh, a Saudi-based joint-venture with Sumitomo Chemical Co. of Japan. Reuters Pictures 1 week ago

Tetsundo Iwakuni, the special envoy of Japan's Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, speaks during a PetroRabigh event near Jeddah November 8, 2009. Saudi Aramco inaugurated on Sunday the first phase of a giant petrochemical complex managed by PetroRabigh, a Saudi-based joint-venture with Sumitomo Chemical Co. of Japan.

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  1. Japan's Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (R) shakes hands with Deputy Prime Minister Naoto Kan (C) after Hatoyama's first policy speech at the Diet in Tokyo on October 26 , 2009. Hatoyama launched a broadside against the excesses of capitalism, in his first parliamentary address since taking office last month. At left is Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada.
  2. Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (L) is welcomed by his Thai counterpart Abhisit Vejjajiva (R) upon his arrival for the the East Asia Summit meeting during the 15th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in the southern Thai resort town of Hua Hin on October 25, 2009. Japan's new Prime Minister Hatoyama pressed plans for a new East Asian community at a summit on October 24, saying that the region should aspire to lead the world.
  3. Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (L) is welcomed by his Thai counterpart Abhisit Vejjajiva (R) upon his arrival for the the East Asia Summit meeting during the 15th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in the southern Thai resort town of Hua Hin on October 25, 2009. Japan's new Prime Minister Hatoyama pressed plans for a new East Asian community at a summit on October 24, saying that the region should aspire to lead the world.
  4. Japanese Pime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (R) is welcomed by his Thai counterpart Abhisit Vejjajiva (L) upon his arrival for the Gala Dinner in the southern Thai resort town of Hua Hin on October 24, 2009. Prime Minister Hatoyama is here to attend the Southeastan Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit meeting.
  5. Japan's new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, left, accompanied by Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, center, is greeted by a Diet guard upon arriving for a ceremonial opening of the extraordinary Diet session by Emperor Akihito at the upper house of parliament in Tokyo, Japan, Friday, Sept. 18, 2009. Japan's new, largely untested Cabinet is starting out with high public approval ratings amid hopes that Hatoyama's government will reinvigorate the world's second-largest economy, polls showed Friday.
  6. New Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (C) and his cabinet members pose for photographers after the first cabinet meeting at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo on September 16, 2009. Also seen are Financial Affairs and Postal Reform Minister Shizuka Kamei (L), Vice Prime Minister Naoto Kan (2nd L), Consumer Affairs and Gender Equality Minister Mizuho Fukushima (2nd R) and Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada (R). The centre-left Prime Minister Hatoyama acclaimed a turning point in history September 16 as he took command of Asia's biggest economy with a pledge to return power to the people.
  7. Japan's new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama arrives at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009. Longtime opposition leader Hatoyama was elected prime minister Wednesday, promising to reinvigorate Japan's economy and shake up government with his left-of-center party after more than 50 years of nearly unbroken rule by conservatives.
  8. Japan's new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, center, arrives at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009. Longtime opposition leader Hatoyama was elected prime minister Wednesday, promising to reinvigorate Japan's economy and shake up government with his left-of-center party after more than 50 years of nearly unbroken rule by conservatives.
  9. Miyuki Hatoyama (C) , wife of the new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, looks at her husband being applauded by colleagues after being elected as Japan's new prime minister at the Lower House of Parliament in Tokyo September 16, 2009. New Japanese leader Hatoyama will take office and finalise his cabinet on Wednesday, putting in place an untested line-up to tackle challenges ranging from restoring economic growth to managing ties with nervous ally Washington.
  10. TOKYO - SEPTEMBER 14: (JAPANESE Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President and incoming Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (L) and outgoing Prime Minister Taro Aso hold a meeting at the Diet building on September 14, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. The meeting is to discuss the smooth handover of power when Hatoyama is elected as the 93rd Prime Minister of Japan on September 16.
  11. TOKYO - SEPTEMBER 14: (JAPANESE Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President and incoming Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (L) and outgoing Prime Minister Taro Aso hold a meeting at the Diet building on September 14, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. The meeting is to discuss the smooth handover of power when Hatoyama is elected as the 93rd Prime Minister of Japan on September 16.
  12. Japan's incoming prime minister Yukio Hatoyama (R) speaks to reporters at his Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo September 14, 2009. Hatoyama said he would begin forming his cabinet after meeting with Democratic Party of Japan lawmakers on Tuesday.
  13. Japan's new ruling party Democratic Party of Japan leader Yukio Hatoyama arrives at the party headquarters in Tokyo September 11, 2009. Japan's incoming prime minister, Hatoyama, may delay choosing his cabinet until a meeting of party lawmakers next week on the advice of a party heavyweight known for behind-the-scenes manoeuvres, media said on Friday.
  14. Japan's new ruling party Democratic Party of Japan leader Yukio Hatoyama arrives at the party headquarters in Tokyo September 11, 2009. Japan's incoming prime minister, Hatoyama, may delay choosing his cabinet until a meeting of party lawmakers next week on the advice of a party heavyweight known for behind-the-scenes manoeuvres, media said on Friday.
  15. Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama (L) shakes hands with U.S. ambassador to Japan John Roos before their talks at the DPJ's headquarters in Tokyo September 3, 2009. Japan's new leader and Washington's envoy bonded over a football helmet on Thursday as they sought to allay concerns about their alliance after an election win by Hatoyama's party, which has pledged a more independent diplomatic course.
  16. Leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan Yukio Hatoyama, left, shakes hands with Shizuka Kamei, leader of People's New Party, prior to their meeting at the Diet in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009. Japan's likely next Prime Minister Hatoyama will create a new Cabinet post to oversee national strategy and the economy, officials said Tuesday, and quickly turn his attentions to proving himself on the diplomatic front - an area in which he is virtually untested.

Recent Photos From The Wire

  1. Workers carry mangrove trees along the Jakarta bay November 21, 2009. A local television station will attempt to get its viewers to plant nine million mangrove trees over the next few months, as part of a community service. Mangrove swamps are expected to help Indonesia's coastal communities fend off rising seas and stronger tropical storms, climate change experts say.
  2. Women plant mangrove trees along the Jakarta bay November 21, 2009. They will attempt to plant nine million mangrove trees over the next few months, as part of a community service organised by a local television station. Mangrove swamps are expected to help Indonesia's coastal communities fend off rising seas and stronger tropical storms, climate change experts say.
  3. A university student smiles while planting mangrove trees along the Jakarta bay November 21, 2009. They will attempt to plant nine million mangrove trees over the next few months, as part of a community service organised by a local television station. Mangrove swamps are expected to help Indonesia's coastal communities fend off rising seas and stronger tropical storms, climate change experts say.
  4. Policemen survey the site of an explosion in Peshawar November 21, 2009. At least one person was injured when an explosion hit the office of a non-governmental organization (NGO) in the University Town area of Peshawar on Saturday, Pakistan's Dawn newspaper reported.
  5. LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Musician Keith Urban performs onstage during the 2009 American Music Awards rehearsals held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.
  6. AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - NOVEMBER 21: Protestors march up Queen Street as part of the Vote With Your Feet March on November 21, 2009 in Auckland, New Zealand. The March for Democracy was being held to protest against the Government's failure to respond to amending the anti-smacking legislation.
  7. CALGARY, AB - NOVEMBER 20: Veronica Halder #21 of Austria takes a preliminary run in the Tiscover Challenge Cup during the Veissmann Luge World Cup on November 20, 2009 at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
  8. LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Musician Keith Urban performs onstage during the 2009 American Music Awards rehearsals held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.
  9. AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - NOVEMBER 21: Protestors march up Queen Street as part of the Vote With Your Feet March on November 21, 2009 in Auckland, New Zealand. The March for Democracy was being held to protest against the Government's failure to respond to amending the anti-smacking legislation.
  10. LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Musician Keith Urban performs onstage during the 2009 American Music Awards rehearsals held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.
  11. A combination of pictures shows candidates for President of Romania, Mircea Geoana, left, of the Social Democracy party, Traian Basescu, right, President in office, of the Democrat Liberal party, and Crin Antonescu, center, of the Liberal party, during a live debate in Bucharest, Romania, Friday night, Nov. 20, 2009. Romania will hold presidential elections on Nov. 22, 2009.
  12. Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce reacts to play in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, in Boston. The Magic won 83-78.
  13. Orlando Magic's Rashard Lewis (9) shoots as Boston Celtics' Kevin Garnett (5) defends in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, in Boston. The Magic won 83-78.
  14. Ron Hornaday Jr., right, winner of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship, hugs Kevin Harvick, winner of the Ford 200 truck race as they celebrate at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, in Homestead, Fla.
  15. Kevin Harvick, center, winner of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series' Ford 200 truck race, is doused with champagne at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, in Homestead, Fla.
  16. Ron Hornaday Jr., celebrates after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship at the Homestead-Miami International Speedway in Homestead, Fla., Friday, Nov. 20, 2009.