Issue: Patroling the seasAnti-war protesters gathered near the Ministry of Defense in Tokyo to protest the decision to dispatch a Maritime Self-Defense Force ship to the Gulf of Oman in response to the Trump administration’s proposal for a “Marine Security Volunteer Coalition” in the Strait of Hormuz.by Richard Atrero de Guzman/ Sipa USA Preparing the seasWorld Sailing organised tests of the Olympic sailing venue, courses (Sagami Bay off Enoshima), facilities, management, media operations, and volunteers last summer in preparation for this summer’s start.by Yoichi Yabe Year of the RatA man wearing a costume of LED lights during the countdown event at Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing on Dec. 31, 2019.by Tomohiro Ohsumi Provisions from the seasKiyoshi Kimura, president of sushi restaurant chain Sushizanmai, displays the 276kg bluefin tuna with a price of ¥193 million at his main restaurant in Tokyo, Jan. 5.by Yoshikazu Tsuno