Japan and beyond: Week in Photos

Here is a selection of Kyodo News photos taken this week in Japan and beyond.

A 12-meter Christmas tree is set up on a square in central Kyiv on Dec. 17, 2022, lighting up a corner of the Ukrainian capital largely darkened by a power outage following Russian missile attacks. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

An orchestra holds a concert in the dark at a hall in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Dec. 17, 2022, as a blackout caused by Russian attacks on power infrastructure continues. (Kyodo)

Fireworks are set off ahead of the World Cup football final between France and Argentina at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Kylian Mbappe (R) walks toward the halfway line after scoring France's first spot kick while Argentina's first kicker Lionel Messi prepares to take his shot during a penalty shootout in the World Cup football final at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Lionel Messi celebrates with the trophy after Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties in the World Cup football final at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Photo taken on Dec. 18, 2022, shows a torii gate at the World Heritage-listed Itsukushima Shrine in Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima Prefecture, western Japan, following the completion of its large-scale repair that started in June 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

North Korean citizens bow in front of statues of North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung (L) and his son and the country's second leader Kim Jong Il at Mansu Hill in Pyongyang on Dec. 17, 2022, the 11th anniversary of the death of Kim Jong Il. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force member cleans World Heritage-listed Himeji Castle in Himeji in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 20, 2022, ahead of the New Year. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

A car is covered with snow in Nagaoka in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, following heavy snowfall on Dec. 19, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

A man walks in heavy snow in Uonuma, Niigata Prefecture, on Dec. 20, 2022. (Kyodo)

Tokyo's Marunouchi business district is illuminated with pink lights and a skating rink is set up for the Tokyo Michiterasu event on Dec. 21, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Kana Muramoto (L) and Daisuke Takahashi perform their rhythm dance in the ice dance competition of Japan's national figure skating championships at Towa Pharmaceutical Ractab Dome in the Osaka Prefecture city of Kadoma, western Japan, on Dec. 22, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo