The rising sun on New Year's behind Mt. Fuji, observed at Yamanashi prefecture, Japan (AFP)

Buddhist monks take up alms from Thais during a morning alms offering, part of New Year's celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand. (AP)

Confetti drops as a Filipino blows his paper horn welcoming the New Year in Manila's Rizal Park, Philippines. (AP)

South Koreans in traditional costumes perform to celebrate the New Year at Imjingak Pavilion in Paju near the border village of Panmunjom (Demilitarized Zone), South Korea, that has separated the two Koreas since the Korean War. (AP)

Fireworks illuminate the Hong Kong skyline above Victoria harbor during new years celebration. (AFP)

Fireworks explode from Taiwan's tallest skyscraper Taipei 101 during New Year celebrations in Taipei. (Reuters)

People enjoy the first rays of the sun in 2012 in Cancun, Mexico. (AP)

People celebrate New Year's Day on a beach in Durban, South Africa. (Reuters)

A child plays with colored water bubbles as Kenyans gather with their families at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, Kenya to celebrate the new year. (AP)

Shooters of the historic riflemen corps fire gun salutes to welcome the new year in Villingen-Schwenningen in the Black Forest, southern Germany. (AFP)

Fireworks explode over the Houses of Parliament, including St. Stephen's Tower which holds the bell known as Big Ben as London celebrates the arrival of New Years Day in London. (AP)

Russians celebrate the New Year on Red Square in Moscow, with the Kremlin in the background, right, and St. Basil's cathedral in background left. (AP)

Fireworks explode during the New Year celebrations over the Brandenburger Tor gate in Berlin, Germany. (Reuters)

Revelers celebrate on New Year's Eve at Times Square in New York, 31 December, 2100. (Reuters)

A sail boat passes in front of the sun as the last rays of sunlight of 2011 hit the waters off Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii, December 31, 2011. Hawaii is one of the last places on earth that will usher in the New Year. (Reuters)