Nissan Motor Co's Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn poses with the company's prototype of the first mass-volume electric car "Leaf" during an opening ceremony at the company's new global headquarters in Yokohama, south of Tokyo August 2, 2009. Japan's No.3 automaker and its French partner, Renault SA, have been the most aggressive proponents of pure electric vehicles in the auto industry, announcing plans to mass-market the clean but expensive cars globally in 2012. Nissan will begin selling the first Leaf cars in the United States and Japan in the latter half of next year, adding more models in rapid succession. Reuters Pictures 6 months ago

Nissan Motor Co's Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn poses with the company's prototype of the first mass-volume electric car "Leaf" during an opening ceremony at the company's new global headquarters in Yokohama, south of Tokyo August 2, 2009. Japan's No.3 automaker and its French partner, Renault SA, have been the most aggressive proponents of pure electric vehicles in the auto industry, announcing plans to mass-market the clean but expensive cars globally in 2012. Nissan will begin selling the first Leaf cars in the United States and Japan in the latter half of next year, adding more models in rapid succession.

More Photos of Japan

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  1. Junya Kono, right, and Tomoharu Fujimaki, window cleaner dressed as Santa Claus and reindeer pose for photographers at a shopping mall in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009.
  2. In this photo released by the Institute of Cetacean Research of Japan, the anti-whaling group's Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's newly-acquired vessel Ady Gil tows a rope while sailing close to the Japanese whaling ship Shonan Maru No. 2 during their encounter in the Antarctic early Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009. The Ady Gil is a high-speed trimaran previously known as the Earthrace that recently set the world record for global circumnavigation.
  3. TOKYO - DECEMBER 23: A crowd of people applaud during a ceremony to celebrate Emperor Akihito's 76th birthday at the Imperial Palace on December 23, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. Akihito acceded to the thrown on January 7, 1989.
  4. TOKYO - DECEMBER 23: Well-wishers arrive for the Emperor's 76th birthday at the Imperial Palace on December 23, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. Akihito acceded to the thrown on January 7, 1989.
  5. TOKYO - DECEMBER 23: (L-R) Crown Princess Masako and Crown Prince Naruhito make a public appearance to celebrate the Emperor's 76th birthday at the Imperial Palace on December 23, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. Akihito acceded to the thrown on January 7, 1989.
  6. TOKYO - DECEMBER 23: A Japanese woman waves the national flag to celebrate Emperor Akihito's 76th birthday at the Imperial Palace on December 23, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. Akihito acceded to the thrown on January 7, 1989.
  7. TOKYO - DECEMBER 23: Japanese Emperor Akihito greets to the well-wishers gathered to celebrate the Emperor's 76th birthday at the Imperial Palace on December 23, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. Akihito acceded to the thrown on January 7, 1989.
  8. Japan's Emperor Akihito (L) and Empress Michiko wave to well-wishers as they celebrate the monarch's 76th birthday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo December 23, 2009.
  9. Japan's Emperor Akihito waves to well-wishers as he celebrates his 76th birthday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo December 23, 2009.
  10. Japan's Emperor Akihito is seen through banners of right-wing groups as he makes a speech to well-wishers at an event to celebrate his 76th birthday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo December 23, 2009. The banner reads: "Emperor".
  11. Well-wishers wave Japanese national flags to celebrate Japan's Emperor Akihito's 76th birthday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo December 23, 2009.
  12. Policemen and imperial palace officials escort well-wishers attending an event to celebrate Japan's Emperor Akihito's 76th birthday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo December 23, 2009. The characters on the flags read: "Banzai (Hurrah for) Emperor".
  13. A Japanese businessman takes a picture during the first Iraq-Japan Economic Conference at Baghdad's International Airport December 20, 2009. Baghdad has long called for foreign firms to help rebuild Iraq, but in a country where the word "Japanese" is a byword for high quality, companies from Japan are especially dear to Iraqi hearts. Picture taken December 20, 2009.
  14. Visitors walk through Christmas illuminations at a Tokyo park, Japan, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009.
  15. Japan's Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama attends a meeting with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili at the premier's official residence in Tokyo December 22, 2009. Support for Hatoyama's 3-month-old government has sunk as low as just below 50 percent as doubts grow about the premier's leadership on the economy and diplomacy.
  16. TOKYO - DECEMBER 22: Saeed Jalili (L), Secretary of Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) of Iran, shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (R) at Hatoyama's official residence on December 22, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. Jalili is in Japan for five days for an exchange of opinions on Iran's nuclear issues as well as the countries bilateral relationship.

Explore Photos of Related Topics

  1. Chairman and CEO of Renault-Nissan Alliance Carlos Ghosn listens during a plenary session at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos January 29, 2010.
  2. Chairman and CEO of Renault-Nissan Alliance Carlos Ghosn listens during a plenary session at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos January 29, 2010.
  3. Chairman and CEO of Renault-Nissan Alliance Carlos Ghosn listens during a plenary session at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos January 29, 2010.
  4. Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for the Renault-Nissan Alliance ,right, speaks during a session on climate change at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Friday Jan. 29, 2010. Climate change moves to the forefront at the World Economic Forum with the question of what steps world governments, big business and activists can take together to find a path that is both effective environmentally but won't break the bank. Seated left is Felipe Calderon, President of Mexico.
  5. Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for the Renault-Nissan Alliance ,right, speaks during a session on climate change at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Friday Jan. 29, 2010. Climate change moves to the forefront at the World Economic Forum with the question of what steps world governments, big business and activists can take together to find a path that is both effective environmentally but won't break the bank. Seated left is Yvo De Boer, Executive Secretary for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and center is Felipe Calderon, President of Mexico.
  6. Chairman of Renault-Nissan Alliance Carlos Ghosn and French automaker Renault's Chief Operating Officer Patrick Pelata (R), arrive at the Elysee Palace to attend a meeting with France's President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris January 16, 2010. French state is considering raising its stake in the country's second-biggest carmaker, Renault, in order to be able to have a bigger say in the company's decision-making.
  7. Chairman of Renault-Nissan Alliance Carlos Ghosn and French automaker Renault's Chief Operating Officer Patrick Pelata (R), arrive at the Elysee Palace to attend a meeting with France's President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris January 16, 2010. French state is considering raising its stake in the country's second-biggest carmaker, Renault, in order to be able to have a bigger say in the company's decision-making.
  8. A model is reflected in the window of a Nissan GT-R specV during the annual Autosport International racing car show in Birmingham, central England January 14, 2010.
  9. Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for the Renault-Nissan Alliance ,right, speaks during a session on climate change at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Friday Jan. 29, 2010. Climate change moves to the forefront at the World Economic Forum with the question of what steps world governments, big business and activists can take together to find a path that is both effective environmentally but won't break the bank. Seated left is Felipe Calderon, President of Mexico.
  10. Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for the Renault-Nissan Alliance ,right, speaks during a session on climate change at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Friday Jan. 29, 2010. Climate change moves to the forefront at the World Economic Forum with the question of what steps world governments, big business and activists can take together to find a path that is both effective environmentally but won't break the bank. Seated left is Yvo De Boer, Executive Secretary for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and center is Felipe Calderon, President of Mexico.
  11. Chairman of Renault-Nissan Alliance Carlos Ghosn and French automaker Renault's Chief Operating Officer Patrick Pelata (R), arrive at the Elysee Palace to attend a meeting with France's President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris January 16, 2010. French state is considering raising its stake in the country's second-biggest carmaker, Renault, in order to be able to have a bigger say in the company's decision-making.
  12. Chairman of Renault-Nissan Alliance Carlos Ghosn and French automaker Renault's Chief Operating Officer Patrick Pelata (R), arrive at the Elysee Palace to attend a meeting with France's President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris January 16, 2010. French state is considering raising its stake in the country's second-biggest carmaker, Renault, in order to be able to have a bigger say in the company's decision-making.
  13. Nissan president and CEO Carlos Ghosn speaks at the North American debut of Nissan's Leaf all-electric vehicle, a five-passenger hatchback, at the Nissan Leaf Zero Emissions Tour stop in Los Angeles, California November 13, 2009.
  14. Nissan president and CEO Carlos Ghosn speaks at the North American debut of Nissan's Leaf all-electric vehicle, a five-passenger hatchback, at the Nissan Leaf Zero Emissions Tour stop in Los Angeles, California November 13, 2009.
  15. Nissan president and CEO Carlos Ghosn is interviewed beside Nissan's Leaf all-electric vehicle, a five-passenger hatchback, during its North American debut at the Nissan Leaf Zero Emissions Tour stop in Los Angeles, California November 13, 2009.
  16. Nissan president and CEO Carlos Ghosn poses with the Nissan Leaf all-electric vehicle, a five-passenger hatchback, during its North American debut at the Nissan Leaf Zero Emissions Tour stop in Los Angeles, California November 13, 2009.

Recent Photos From The Wire

  1. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 10: Megan Gale, Dan Single and George Corow sit in the front row during the David Jones Autumn/Winter 2010 Fashion Launch at the Hordern Pavilion on February 10, 2010 in Sydney, Australia.
  2. AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 10: Rene Ranger celebrates after winning a game during a Blues Super 14 training session at Unitec on February 10, 2010 in Auckland, New Zealand.
  3. AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 10: Daniel Kirkpatrick looks to offload the ball during a Blues Super 14 training session at Unitec on February 10, 2010 in Auckland, New Zealand.
  4. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 10: Model Alexandra Agoston-O�Connor showcases designs by AG by Arthur Galan on the catwalk during the David Jones Autumn/Winter 2010 Fashion Launch at the Hordern Pavilion on February 10, 2010 in Sydney, Australia.
  5. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 10: Megan Gale sits with Dan Single during the David Jones Autumn/Winter 2010 Fashion Launch at the Hordern Pavilion on February 10, 2010 in Sydney, Australia.
  6. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 10: Dan Single and George Corow of Ksubi sit in the front row during the David Jones Autumn/Winter 2010 Fashion Launch at the Hordern Pavilion on February 10, 2010 in Sydney, Australia.
  7. An engineer of Nagoya Toyopet, a Toyota Motor Corp dealership, installs a new antilock braking system (ABS) software on a recalled Prius hybrid in Nagoya, central Japan February 10, 2010. As the U.S. Congress gears up to delve into Toyota Motor Corp's massive global vehicle recall, the question they face is whether the automaker and regulators misread or ignored rising consumer complaints.
  8. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) Chief Executive Officer Ralph Norris gives a speech during the half year results news conference in central Sydney February 10, 2010. CBA Ltd the country's second largest bank, reported a 54 percent rise in first-half profit, its biggest half-yearly cash profit in a decade, as expected, bolstered by cost cutting, loan growth and gains in wealth management.
  9. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) Chief Executive Officer Ralph Norris gives a speech during the half year results news conference in central Sydney February 10, 2010. CBA Ltd the country's second largest bank, reported a 54 percent rise in first-half profit, its biggest half-yearly cash profit in a decade, as expected, bolstered by cost cutting, loan growth and gains in wealth management.
  10. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) Chief Executive Officer Ralph Norris gives a speech during the half year results news conference in central Sydney February 10, 2010. CBA Ltd, the country's second largest bank, reported a 54 percent rise in first-half profit, its biggest half-yearly cash profit in a decade, as expected, bolstered by cost cutting, loan growth and gains in wealth management.
  11. A man walks by Honda's vehicles on display at the headquarters of Honda Motor Co., in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010. Honda Motor Co. says it is adding 17,000 more cars in Japan and elsewhere to an existing global recall for faulty airbags, bringing the latest round of recalls to 437,000. The Feb. 10, 2010 announcement in Tokyo came after Honda said Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, that it is adding more than 378,000 cars to the recall in the U.S. and Canada.
  12. A man walks by a Honda's vehicle on display at the headquarters of Honda Motor Co., in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010. Honda Motor Co. says it is adding 17,000 more cars in Japan and elsewhere to an existing global recall for faulty airbags, bringing the latest round of recalls to 437,000. The Feb. 10, 2010 announcement in Tokyo came after Honda said Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, that it is adding more than 378,000 cars to the recall in the U.S. and Canada.
  13. A woman walks by a Honda's vehicle on display at the headquarters of Honda Motor Co., in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010. Honda Motor Co. says it is adding 17,000 more cars in Japan and elsewhere to an existing global recall for faulty airbags, bringing the latest round of recalls to 437,000. The Feb. 10, 2010 announcement in Tokyo came after Honda said Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, that it is adding more than 378,000 cars to the recall in the U.S. and Canada.
  14. Honda Motor Co.'s vehicles are on display at the automaker's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010. Honda Motor Co. says it is adding 17,000 more cars in Japan and elsewhere to an existing global recall for faulty airbags, bringing the latest round of recalls to 437,000. The Feb. 10, 2010 announcement in Tokyo came after Honda said Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, that it is adding more than 378,000 cars to the recall in the U.S. and Canada.
  15. Honda Motor Co. headquarters, top, is reflected on the front glass of a Honda's vehicle on display, bottom, in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010. Honda Motor Co. says it is adding 17,000 more cars in Japan and elsewhere to an existing global recall for faulty airbags, bringing the latest round of recalls to 437,000. The Feb.10, 2010 announcement in Tokyo came after Honda said Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, that it is adding more than 378,000 cars to the recall in the U.S. and Canada.
  16. A man walks by Honda's vehicles on display at the headquarters of Honda Motor Co., in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010. Honda Motor Co. says it is adding 17,000 more cars in Japan and elsewhere to an existing global recall for faulty airbags, bringing the latest round of recalls to 437,000. The Feb. 10, 2010 announcement in Tokyo came after Honda said Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, that it is adding more than 378,000 cars to the recall in the U.S. and Canada.