Okinawa gubernatorial election

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Genta Koja meets the press in Naha on Sept. 14, 2026, a day after winning the Okinawa gubernatorial election, becoming the southern island prefecture's first leader in 12 years to back a key U.S. base relocation plan.

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 14, 2026, a day after Genta Koja, a candidate backed by her Liberal Democratic Party, won the Okinawa gubernatorial election, becoming the southern island prefecture's first leader in 12 years to support a key U.S. base relocation plan.

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 14, 2026, a day after Genta Koja, a candidate backed by her Liberal Democratic Party, won the Okinawa gubernatorial election, becoming the southern island prefecture's first leader in 12 years to support a key U.S. base relocation plan.

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Genta Koja reads a newspaper in Naha on Sept. 14, 2026, a day after winning the Okinawa gubernatorial election, becoming the southern island prefecture's first leader in 12 years to back a key U.S. base relocation plan.

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Genta Koja reads a newspaper in Naha on Sept. 14, 2026, a day after winning the Okinawa gubernatorial election, becoming the southern island prefecture's first leader in 12 years to back a key U.S. base relocation plan.

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Genta Koja meets the press in Naha on Sept. 14, 2026, a day after winning the Okinawa gubernatorial election, becoming the southern island prefecture's first leader in 12 years to back a key U.S. base relocation plan.

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Genta Koja meets the press in Naha on Sept. 14, 2026, a day after winning the Okinawa gubernatorial election, becoming the southern island prefecture's first leader in 12 years to back a key U.S. base relocation plan.

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Liberal Democratic Pary Secretary General Shunichi Suzuki meets the press at the ruling party's headquarters in Tokyo on Sept. 13, 2026, after LDP-backed Genta Koja won the Okinawa gubernatorial election, becoming the southern island prefecture's first leader in 12 years to support a key U.S. base relocation plan.

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Liberal Democratic Pary Secretary General Shunichi Suzuki meets the press at the ruling party's headquarters in Tokyo on Sept. 13, 2026, after LDP-backed Genta Koja won the Okinawa gubernatorial election, becoming the southern island prefecture's first leader in 12 years to support a key U.S. base relocation plan.

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Genta Koja meets the press after winning the Okinawa gubernatorial election in Naha on Sept. 13, 2026, becoming the southern island prefecture's first leader in 12 years to back a key U.S. base relocation plan.

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Genta Koja (back, L) meets the press after winning the Okinawa gubernatorial election in Naha on Sept. 13, 2026, becoming the southern island prefecture's first leader in 12 years to back a key U.S. base relocation plan.

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Genta Koja celebrates after winning the Okinawa gubernatorial election in Naha on Sept. 13, 2026, becoming the southern island prefecture's first leader in 12 years to back a key U.S. base relocation plan.

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Genta Koja receives a bouquet after winning the Okinawa gubernatorial election in Naha on Sept. 13, 2026, becoming the southern island prefecture's first leader in 12 years to back a key U.S. base relocation plan.

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Genta Koja receives a bouquet after winning the Okinawa gubernatorial election in Naha on Sept. 13, 2026, becoming the southern island prefecture's first leader in 12 years to back a key U.S. base relocation plan.

Centrist Reform Alliance breakup

Centrist Reform Alliance breakup

Centrist Reform Alliance leader Junya Ogawa holds a press conference in a Diet building in Tokyo on Sept. 9, 2026, after the opposition party formalized its plan to split.

Centrist Reform Alliance breakup

Centrist Reform Alliance breakup

Centrist Reform Alliance leader Junya Ogawa holds a press conference in a Diet building in Tokyo on Sept. 9, 2026, after the opposition party formalized its plan to split.

CORRECTED: Centrist Reform Alliance breakup

CORRECTED: Centrist Reform Alliance breakup

Centrist Reform Alliance leader Junya Ogawa holds a press conference in a Diet building in Tokyo on Sept. 9, 2026, after the opposition party formalized its plan to split.

Internal affairs minister in quake-hit Kumamoto

Internal affairs minister in quake-hit Kumamoto

Japanese Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi on Aug. 16, 2026, meets with a resident of Uki, a Kumamoto Prefecture city devastated by a powerful earthquake on July 28. The minister unveiled a plan during his visit to use proceeds from municipality-sponsored lottery ticket sales to support victims of the disaster.

Internal affairs minister in quake-hit Kumamoto

Internal affairs minister in quake-hit Kumamoto

Japanese Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi (C) visits a disaster-stricken site in Uki, Kumamoto Prefecture, on Aug. 16, 2026, as he unveils a plan to use proceeds from municipalities-sponsored lottery ticket sales to support the victims of the powerful disaster that struck the southwestern Japan prefecture on July 28.

[Breaking News]Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

KOCHI, Japan, Aug. 10 Kyodo - Dancers perform during the Yosakoi dance festival on Aug. 10, 2026, in Kochi, western Japan. About 18,000 people from 197 teams plan to dance during the annual event that began in 1954, running through Aug. 12. (Kyodo)

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform during the Yosakoi dance festival on Aug. 10, 2026, in Kochi, western Japan. About 18,000 people from 197 teams plan to dance during the annual event that began in 1954, running through Aug. 12.

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform during the Yosakoi dance festival on Aug. 10, 2026, in Kochi, western Japan. About 18,000 people from 197 teams plan to dance during the annual event that began in 1954, running through Aug. 12.

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform during the Yosakoi dance festival on Aug. 10, 2026, in Kochi, western Japan. About 18,000 people from 197 teams plan to dance during the annual event that began in 1954, running through Aug. 12.

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 speaks to reporters at the prime minister'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 speaks to reporters at the prime minister'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 speaks to reporters at the prime minister'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 speaks to reporters at the prime minister'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 speaks to reporters at the prime minister'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 speaks to reporters at the prime minister'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 speaks to reporters at the prime minister'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 speaks to reporters at the prime minister'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 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.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's 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 to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's 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 to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's 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 to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's 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 to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's 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 to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's 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 to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's 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 to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's 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.

Australian PM Albanese

Australian PM Albanese

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks about his government's plan for new national standards for artificial intelligence at Sydney University on July 15, 2026.

Spain: Evacuations Forced as Wildfire Breaks Out in Ezkabarte, Navarra

A large wildfire broke out on Thursday, June 25, near Makirriain in the Ezkabarte area of Navarra, Spain, after a fire started in agricultural land at the foot of Monte Ezkaba. The blaze rapidly spread into surrounding pine forests, prompting authorities to activate the region's emergency wildfire response plan and evacuate nearby villages.

Albania: Kushner-Backed Resort Plan Sparks Days of Protests in Tirana 3

Protesters took to the streets of Tirana again on Thursday, June 4, to protest a controversial luxury resort development planned for the protected Vjosa-Narta landscape on Albania's southern coast by Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners.

Albania: Kushner-Backed Resort Plan Sparks Days of Protests in Tirana 2

Protesters took to the streets of Tirana again on Thursday, June 4, to protest a controversial luxury resort development planned for the protected Vjosa-Narta landscape on Albania's southern coast by Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners.

Albania: Kushner-Backed Resort Plan Sparks Days of Protests in Tirana

Protesters took to the streets of Tirana again on Thursday, June 4, to protest a controversial luxury resort development planned for the protected Vjosa-Narta landscape on Albania's southern coast by Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners.

Lower house passes FY2026 supplementary budget plan

Lower house passes FY2026 supplementary budget plan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (far R) bows after the House of Representatives passed a fiscal 2026 supplementary budget plan during a plenary session in Tokyo on June 4, 2026.

Lower house passes FY2026 supplementary budget plan

Lower house passes FY2026 supplementary budget plan

Japan's House of Representatives passes a fiscal 2026 supplementary budget plan during a plenary session in Tokyo on June 4, 2026.