Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

The Japanese national flag is flown at half-mast at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing on Aug. 13, 2026, following the death the previous day of former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji at age 97.

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

A man reads a newspaper in Beijing on Aug. 13, 2026, reporting that former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji died at 97 the previous day.

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Photo taken in Beijing on Aug. 13, 2026, shows copies of newspapers reporting the death of former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji at the age of 97 the previous day.

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Photo taken in Beijing on Aug. 13, 2026, shows copies of newspapers reporting the death of former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji at the age of 97 the previous day.

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Photo taken on Aug. 13, 2026, shows copies of the same day's editions of Chinese newspapers reporting that former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji died at 97 the previous day.

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

A large screen in Beijing shows on Aug. 12, 2026, a news report on the death of former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji at age 97 earlier in the day.

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Photo taken on Aug. 13, 2026, shows copies of the same day's editions of Chinese newspapers reporting that former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji died at 97 the previous day.

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

A large screen in Beijing shows on Aug. 12, 2026, a news report on the death of former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji at age 97 earlier in the day.

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido "totally unacceptable."

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido "totally unacceptable."

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido "totally unacceptable."

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido "totally unacceptable."

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido "totally unacceptable."

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji (R, front) and his wife, Lao An, take a ride on a high-speed maglev train on an experimental track in Tsuru, Yamanashi Prefecture, west of Tokyo, on Oct. 16, 2000, during his official visit to Japan. Zhu, who played a key role in China's economic reforms as premier from 1998 to 2003 under President Jiang Zemin, died on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 97.

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji (L) talks with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on April 12, 2002, at the first Boao Forum for Asia held in Hainan, China. Zhu, who played a key role in China's economic reforms as premier from 1998 to 2003 under President Jiang Zemin, died on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 97.

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji (C) takes part in a dialogue with about 100 members of the Japanese public on a live TBS television program in Tokyo on Oct. 14, 2000. Zhu, who played a key role in China's economic reforms as premier from 1998 to 2003 under President Jiang Zemin, died on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 97.

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji (R) shakes hands with President Jiang Zemin in Beijing on Oct. 22, 2002. Zhu, who played a key role in China's economic reforms as premier from 1998 to 2003 under President Jiang Zemin, died on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 97.

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji talks with Japan's Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Oct. 16, 2000. Zhu, who played a key role in China's economic reforms as premier from 1998 to 2003 under President Jiang Zemin, died on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 97.

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji is pictured in Beijing on July 1, 2011. Zhu, who played a key role in China's economic reforms as premier from 1998 to 2003 under President Jiang Zemin, died on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 97.

Japan-Oman phone talks

Japan-Oman phone talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 10, 2026, following phone talks with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said.

Japan-Oman phone talks

Japan-Oman phone talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 10, 2026, following phone talks with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said.

Japan-Oman phone talks

Japan-Oman phone talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 10, 2026, following phone talks with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said.

Japan-Oman phone talks

Japan-Oman phone talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 10, 2026, following phone talks with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said.

Japan-Oman phone talks

Japan-Oman phone talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 10, 2026, following phone talks with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said.

Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) shakes hands with Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2026. Koike told the press afterward that she called for the central government to address the capital's expected tax revenue fall following the planned cut to 1 percent from the current 8 percent in the consumption tax on food and beverages for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) shakes hands with Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2026. Koike told the press afterward that she called for the central government to address the capital's expected tax revenue fall following the planned cut to 1 percent from the current 8 percent in the consumption tax on food and beverages for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) shakes hands with Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2026. Koike told the press afterward that she called for the central government to address the capital's expected tax revenue fall following the planned cut to 1 percent from the current 8 percent in the consumption tax on food and beverages for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is pictured ahead of an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is pictured ahead of an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is pictured ahead of an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) and her ministers are pictured ahead of an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi (L) poses with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi as she receives a commemorative set of 10 cooking knives during a ceremony to confer the People's Honor Award at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026. Each of the knives is engraved with her name and the award title, as the 32-year old won two gold, four silver and four bronze medals before announcing her retirement in April.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi (L) receives a commemorative set of 10 cooking knives from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a ceremony to confer the People's Honor Award at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026. Each of the knives is engraved with her name and the award title, as the 32-year old won two gold, four silver and four bronze medals before announcing her retirement in April.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi (L) receives a commemorative set of 10 cooking knives from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a ceremony to confer the People's Honor Award at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026. Each of the knives is engraved with her name and the award title, as the 32-year old won two gold, four silver and four bronze medals before announcing her retirement in April.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi meets the press after receiving the People's Honor Award from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at a ceremony held at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi meets the press after receiving the People's Honor Award from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at a ceremony held at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi meets the press after receiving the People's Honor Award from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at a ceremony held at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi (C) meets the press after receiving the People's Honor Award from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at a ceremony held at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi (C) meets the press after receiving the People's Honor Award from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at a ceremony held at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi (L) receives a certificate from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a ceremony to confer the People's Honor Award at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi (L) poses with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi after receiving the People's Honor Award from her at a ceremony held at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi (L) poses with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi after receiving the People's Honor Award from her at a ceremony held at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi poses after receiving the People's Honor Award from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at a ceremony held at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026.

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) poses for a photo with seven junior high school students, including great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held, Japanese-claimed islands off Hokkaido, northern Japan, at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 30, 2026.

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) poses for a photo with seven junior high school students, including great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held, Japanese-claimed islands off Hokkaido, northern Japan, at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 30, 2026.

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from R) meets with seven junior high school students, including great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held, Japanese-claimed islands off Hokkaido, northern Japan, at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 30, 2026.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto.