Japanese flock to Meiji Shrine in Tokyo to pray for a prosperous 2013.<br/> <br />Worshippers typically visit during the first three days of the New Year-period and toss coins in exchange for temple blessings.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 23-YEAR-OLD SELF-EMPLOYED SUZUKA YAZAKI, SAYING:<br/> <br />"I want Japan to be a place where people can have space to breathe, where people can smile and be nice to each other."<br/> <br />Shrine goers ritually bow, clap and ring bells to get the gods' attention as they pray for health and good fortune.<br/> <br />This shrine is Japan's most popular and will likely see around 3 million people visit in the next few days.<br/> <br />Meanwhile, 12 NATO troops stationed in Kabul, Afghanistan kick off the New Year with a run, despite the wintery weather.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) NATO SOLDIER, SHELLY SANDERS THAXTON, SAYING:<br/> <br />"This event was very fun, very cold, but it is great to start off the new year with a run."<br/> <br />The U.S. and its NATO allies plan to continue scaling down operations here, and will eventually hand over security power to Afghan authorities by the end of 2014.
