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Employees of Japanese companies, led by their representatives donning white kamishimo, or Japan's traditional ceremonial vests, wait their turn for the New Year's Shinto rite to exorcise evil spirits at Kanda Myoujin Shrine in Tokyo as the first business day in 2002 started Friday, Jan. 4, 2002 following the three-day New Year's holiday. The shrine that honors the deities of commerce and industry expects about 100,000 businessmen, bankers and securities company workers from 1,500 companies thronged to the compound in the day amid the global slowdown. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)