(31 Dec 2002)
1. Countdown from ten to one, on illuminated display, pan to balloons released by crowds in front of Tokyo Tower and Zozoji temple
2. Crowds gathered under the illuminated '2003' sign
3. Mid shot of people ringing giant temple bell
4. Close shot of people ringing giant temple bell
5. People bowing to each other
6. Side shot of people ringing giant temple bell
7. Crowds gathered by the temple
8. Woman from behind prays at temple
9. Front view of people tossing coins and praying at temple
10. Close-up of man praying
11. Burning brazier in front of temple date
12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Voxpop, girl:
"That there'll be world peace"
13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Voxpop, man:
"Peace to all the people in the world."
14. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Voxpop, woman:
"Of course, peace"
15. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Voxpop woman:
"That the economy should improve."
16. Priest on stage in costume
STORYLINE:
Thousands of Japanese people gathered together at temples and shrines around the country at midnight on New Years Eve.
Performing a traditional "hatsumode" (First prayer) at a nearby temple is the most popular way to spend the New Year in Japan.
Families, couples and groups of friends throw money in front of the altar, clap their hands and make a wish.
This year most revellers seemed to be wishing for world peace or an improvement in Japan's ailing economy.
Zozoji in central Tokyo is popular because it has a countdown clock and revellers are allowed to release biodegradable balloons at the ringing-in of the New Year.
The crowd can watch their balloons fly up in front of an illuminated Tokyo Tower.
According to tradition, monks ring a huge bell on the stroke of midnight, followed by a further one hundred and eight rings performed by members of the public.
This year it appeared that the monks failed to make their midnight ring, experiencing technical problems.
But this did nothing to dampen the joy and expectations of the youthful crowd flocking into the Buddhist place of worship to wish-in the New Year.
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