(31 Dec 2011) STORYLINE
The dawning of 2012 marks an end to a traumatic year for Japan, besieged by a massive earthquake and tsunami that struck in March.
At one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the capital Tokyo, thousands of people gathered to pay their respect and offer prayers for the New Year.
On the stroke of midnight, revellers released balloons with their handwritten wishes attached.
High on their minds was the disaster that left nearly 20,000 people dead or missing.
"I hope it will be a year full of smiles. For those who are crying now, I hope they'll be smiling too," said university student Horie Soichiro.
Another student, 24-year-old Tatsuro Kano was more positive about the passing year.
"I don't believe everything that happened was all bad. I hope everyone can build on all the good things and be happy again," he said.
Moments after the balloons were released, monks rang the temple bells to usher in the new year.
According to Buddhism, humans have 108 worldly desires.
It is believed that people can be rid of those desires by ringing the bell 108 times.
As the bell rings through the early hours of January 1st, people make their first visit of the year to the temple - a tradition called "Hatsu-mode".
Through the night and over the next few days of the New Year, (m) millions in Japan will be making the visit to offer their prayers.


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