[Breaking News]Key bond yield hits 27-year high

TOKYO, Japan, April 13 Kyodo - A financial monitor in Tokyo shows the yield on the newly issued benchmark 10-year government bond rising to 2.515 percent, its highest level in about 27 years, on April 30, 2026. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]May Day gathering in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan, April 30 Kyodo - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a May Day gathering at Tokyo's Yoyogi Park on April 29, 2026. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Boxing: world title bout between Inoue and Nakatani

TOKYO, Japan, April 30 Kyodo - Undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue of Japan speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on April 30, 2026, before taking on countryman and challenger Junto Nakatani, a former unified bantamweight world champion, at Tokyo Dome on May 2. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]BOJ policy-setting meeting

TOKYO, Japan, April 28 Kyodo - Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda holds a press conference at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo on April 28, 2026, following a two-day policy-setting meeting. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]"Balikatan"military exercise in South China Sea

TOKYO, Japan, April 30 Kyodo - The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's destroyer Ikazuchi takes part in the U.S.-Philippine annual "Balikatan" military exercise in Philippine waters in the South China Sea on April 28, 2026. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Domestically developed humanoid robot

KYOTO, Japan, April 30 Kyodo - Video taken on April 28, 2026, shows a prototype of the fully domestically developed humanoid robot "Seimei" during a media demonstration in Kyoto. Waseda University and private businesses, including Murata Manufacturing Co., robot maker tmsuk and Aisin Corp., jointly developed the robot, standing 140 centimeters tall and weighing 49 kilograms. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]May Day gathering in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan, April 30 Kyodo - Tomoko Yoshino, president of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, known as Rengo, speaks at a May Day gathering at Tokyo's Yoyogi Park on April 29, 2026. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Retirement press conference of pairs figure skaters Miura, Kihara

TOKYO, Japan, April 28 Kyodo - Milan Cortina Olympics figure skating pairs gold medalists Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara attend a retirement press conference at a hotel in Tokyo on April 28, 2026. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Hibakusha rally in New York ahead of NPT review conference

NEW YORK, United States, April 27 Kyodo - Hibakusha march near the U.N headquarters in New York on April 26, 2026, calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons ahead of the start on April 27 of the 2026 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons review conference. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]U.S.-produced crude oil arrives in Japan

TOKYO, Japan, April 27 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a tanker carrying U.S.-produced crude oil arriving in Tokyo Bay on April 26, 2026, marking the first shipment from the United States since the start of the Iran war in late February. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Wildfires in northeastern Japan

OTSUCHI, Japan, April 24 Kyodo - Smoke blankets mountainous areas of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on April 24, 2026, as wildfires continue following its outbreak at two locations in the northeastern Japan town two days before. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Parade by Olympic, Paralympic athletes

TOKYO, Japan, April 27 Kyodo - Pairs figure skater Ryuichi Kihara lifts his partner Riku Miura during a parade in Tokyo's Nihombashi area on April 25, 2026, of Japanese athletes who competed in the Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Lawmakers at Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine

TOKYO, Japan, April 22 Kyodo - A cross-party group of Japanese lawmakers visits the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on the occasion of its three-day spring festival on April 22, 2026. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Robot marathon in Beijing

BEIJING, China, April 19 Kyodo - A humanoid robot takes part in a half marathon for robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Joint exercises between Philippines and U.S.

MANILA, Philippines, April 20 Kyodo - The Philippines and the United States hold the opening ceremony of their Balikatan joint military exercises at Camp Aguinaldo in Manila on April 20, 2026. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Accident at Tokyo amusement park

TOKYO, Japan, April 22 Kyodo - Police investigators head for an on-site probe of the Flying Balloon at Tokyo Dome City Attractions in Tokyo on April 22, 2026, a day after a fatal accident. A worker died after being trapped in the Flying Balloon following a fall during an inspection of the attraction, which seats 12 people and spins around while rising to a height of 10 meters. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

MILAN, Italy, Feb. 17 Kyodo - Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan attend a press conference in Milan on Feb. 17, 2026, after winning the pairs figure skating gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics the previous day. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Ex-Osaka expo site

OSAKA, Japan, April 13 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 7, 2026, shows the 2025 World Exposition's iconic Grand Ring wooden roof structure being dismantled on an artificial island in Osaka. (Kyodo)

Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Wildfires in northeastern Japan

A wildfire burns into the night on April 23, 2026, in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, after breaking out the previous day. Wildfires started in two locations in the town, with containment still not in sight.

Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Wildfires in northeastern Japan

A wildfire burns into the night on April 23, 2026, in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, after breaking out the previous day. Wildfires started in two locations in the town, with containment still not in sight.

Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Wildfires in northeastern Japan

A wildfire burns into the night on April 23, 2026, in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, after breaking out the previous day. Wildfires started in two locations in the town, with containment still not in sight.

Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Wildfires in northeastern Japan

A wildfire burns into the night on April 23, 2026, in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, after breaking out the previous day. Wildfires started in two locations in the town, with containment still not in sight.

Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Wildfires in northeastern Japan

A wildfire burns into the night on April 23, 2026, in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, after breaking out the previous day. Wildfires started in two locations in the town, with containment still not in sight.

Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Wildfires in northeastern Japan

A wildfire burns into the night on April 23, 2026, in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, after breaking out the previous day. Wildfires started in two locations in the town, with containment still not in sight.

China: Vendor Struggles to Hold Snack Cart During Strong Winds in Chengdu

On April 19, 2026, in Chengdu, located in southwestern China’s Sichuan province, a video recorded severe wind caused by strong convective weather. On a city street, a snack vendor selling corn nearly lost control of his food cart as powerful gusts pushed it sideways. The man rushed to grab the cart and hold it in place. Another person quickly came over to help, and together they managed to keep the cart from being blown away completely. Even so, the wind still caused damage nearby. A chair was blown over, and another stall was knocked down, with one of the table legs breaking in the process. The whole scene looked chaotic as the gusts continued moving through the area.

Baseball: Jackie Robinson Day

Baseball: Jackie Robinson Day

Los Angeles Dodgers players pose for a photo during a ceremony in front of a Jackie Robinson statue outside Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on April 15, 2026, wearing his No. 42 to pay tribute to the first black major league player prior to a game against the New York Mets. Robinson made his major league debut on April 15, 1947, breaking the baseball color barrier.

Baseball: Jackie Robinson Day

Baseball: Jackie Robinson Day

Los Angeles Dodgers players pose for a photo during a ceremony in front of a Jackie Robinson statue outside Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on April 15, 2026, wearing his No. 42 to pay tribute to the first black major league player prior to a game against the New York Mets. Robinson made his major league debut on April 15, 1947, breaking the baseball color barrier.

Baseball: Jackie Robinson Day

Baseball: Jackie Robinson Day

Los Angeles Dodgers players attend a ceremony in front of a Jackie Robinson statue outside Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on April 15, 2026, wearing his No. 42 to pay tribute to the first black major league player prior to a game against the New York Mets. Robinson made his major league debut on April 15, 1947, breaking the baseball color barrier.

Baseball: Jackie Robinson Day

Baseball: Jackie Robinson Day

Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers Roki Sasaki (2nd from R), Yoshinobu Yamamoto (3rd from R) and teammates attend a ceremony in front of a Jackie Robinson statue outside Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on April 15, 2026, wearing his No. 42 to pay tribute to the first black major league player prior to a game against the New York Mets. Robinson made his major league debut on April 15, 1947, breaking the baseball color barrier.

Baseball: Jackie Robinson Day

Baseball: Jackie Robinson Day

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (front) speaks at a ceremony in front of a Jackie Robinson statue outside Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on April 15, 2026, to pay tribute to the first black major league player prior to a game against the New York Mets. Robinson made his major league debut on April 15, 1947, breaking the baseball color barrier.

[Breaking News]20th birthday of popular mascot Hikonyan

HIKONE, Japan, April 13 Kyodo - Hikonyan, the popular samurai helmet-wearing cat mascot of Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, appears at a special event marking its 20th birthday in the western Japan city of Hikone on April 13, 2026. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Miura-Kihara pair performs at Mao Rink for new employees

TOKYO, Japan, April 13 Kyodo - Milan Cortina Olympics pairs figure skating gold medalists Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara meet the press after performing during Kinoshita Group's ceremony for new employees at Mao Rink -- opened by Vancouver Olympic silver medalist Mao Asada -- in Tachikawa, western Tokyo, on April 13, 2026. The pair belongs to the Tokyo company. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Carp streamers in Hokkaido

SAPPORO, Japan, April 10 Kyodo - Carp streamers flutter in the wind over Jozankei hot spring resort in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on April 10, 2026, ahead of Children's Day on May 5. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Rite at Ise Jingu shrine in Mie Pref.

ISE, Japan, April 13 Kyodo - Citizens transport a tree on the Isuzu River in Ise, Mie Prefecture, on April 12, 2026, as part of rites for the "Shikinen Sengu" Ise Jingu shrine building reconstruction every 20 years at the Shinto shrine in the central Japan city. Over 30 rites are planned for the 63rd "Shikinen Sengu," with a history of about 1,300 years. It culminates in 2033 when an object believed to contain the spirit of the shrine's deity will be transferred to the shrine's newly reconstructed main hall. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Astronaut Yui meets press

TOKYO, Japan, April 9 Kyodo - Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui poses for a photo at the end of a press conference in Tokyo on April 9, 2026, held after returning to Earth in January following a five-month mission at the International Space Station. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Ancient cherry tree in Japan

MIHARU, Japan, April 9 Kyodo - A full-bloomed cherry tree estimated to be over 1,000 years is illuminated in Miharu in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 8, 2026. With its flowers spreading in all directions from the branches, the government-protected tree is known as the "waterfall cherry tree of Miharu." (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Demolition site in Kawasaki

KAWASAKI, Japan, April 8 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 7, 2026, shows a demolition site at a complex belonging to JFE Steel Corp. in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, after 40-meter-high scaffolding collapsed, causing five workers to fall from the structure. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Football: Base camp for Japan World Cup squad

NASHVILLE, United States, April 3 Kyodo - Video taken in Nashville, Tennessee, on April 2, 2026, shows the training center to be used as the base camp for Japan squad members during the 2026 football World Cup finals, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, opening in June. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Last Japan-bound crude oil tanker arrives in Tokyo Bay

TOKYO, Japan, April 3 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a crude oil tanker from the Middle East arriving in Tokyo Bay on April 3, 2026, after passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Feb. 26, two days before the U.S. and Israeli militaries started strikes on Iran. No Japan-bound tanker has been confirmed to have passed the strait since. (Kyodo)

Japan launches ticket system targeting rule-breaking cyclists

TOKYO, Japan, April 2 Kyodo - A cyclist is stopped by police officers in Tokyo on April 1, 2026, following the launch the same day of a "blue ticket" system that allows police to crack down on cycling violations, such as using smartphones while riding, amid an increase in bicycle accidents. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]New coronavirus

NARITA, Japan, April 10 Kyodo - Video taken on April 10, 2020, shows Narita airport near Tokyo. One of its runways will be closed for the time being from April 12, 2020, due to dwindling flights traced to the global coronavirus pandemic. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Snowboard champ Fukada enters Toyota

TOYOTA, Japan, April 2 Kyodo - Milan Cortina Olympics snowboard champion Mari Fukada poses with her women's slopestyle gold medal after attending a Toyota Motor Corp. ceremony to welcome its new employees in Toyota in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on April 1, 2026. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Football: Japan vs. England

TOKYO, Japan, March 31 Kyodo - Video taken on March 30, 2026, shows Wembley Stadium in London ahead of an international football friendly between Japan and England the next day. (Kyodo)

Japan launches ticket system targeting rule-breaking cyclists

Japan launches ticket system targeting rule-breaking cyclists

A cyclist is stopped by police officers in Tokyo on April 1, 2026, following the launch the same day of a "blue ticket" system that allows police to crack down on cycling violations, such as using smartphones while riding, amid an increase in bicycle accidents.

Japan launches ticket system targeting rule-breaking cyclists

Japan launches ticket system targeting rule-breaking cyclists

A cyclist is stopped by police officers in Tokyo on April 1, 2026, following the launch the same day of a "blue ticket" system that allows police to crack down on cycling violations, such as using smartphones while riding, amid an increase in bicycle accidents.

Japan launches ticket system targeting rule-breaking cyclists

Japan launches ticket system targeting rule-breaking cyclists

A cyclist is stopped by police officers in Tokyo on April 1, 2026, following the launch the same day of a "blue ticket" system that allows police to crack down on cycling violations, such as using smartphones while riding, amid an increase in bicycle accidents.

Japan launches ticket system targeting rule-breaking cyclists

Japan launches ticket system targeting rule-breaking cyclists

A cyclist is stopped by police officers in Tokyo on April 1, 2026, following the launch the same day of a "blue ticket" system that allows police to crack down on cycling violations, such as using smartphones while riding, amid an increase in bicycle accidents.

[Breaking News]150-meter-tall fountain completed in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan, March 29 Kyodo - Video taken on March 28, 2026, shows Tokyo Aqua Symphony, one of the world's largest fountains, at Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo. The opening ceremony for the 150-meter-tall, 250-meter-wide fountain was held the same day, with Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike in attendance. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Japanese Trade Union Confederation President Yoshino

TOKYO, Japan, March 24 Kyodo - Japanese Trade Union Confederation President Tomoko Yoshino speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on March 23, 2026. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Wildfire in Gunma Pref.

UENO, Japan, March 23 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a wildfire in Ueno in Gunma Prefecture, eastern Japan, on March 22, 2026. (Kyodo)