Japan: Baby Macaque “Punch” Wins Hearts After Finding Comfort in Plush Surrogacy 3

A six-month-old Japanese macaque named Punch at Ichikawa City Zoo has gained attention in Japan and abroad. After being rejected by his first-time mother, he was hand-raised by staff and often clung to an orangutan plush toy as a surrogate comfort, touching many hearts. Even after rejoining the troop, he kept the toy for a while, but he is gradually bonding with other monkeys and growing stronger. On social media, the hashtag “#GoPunch” has spread, with visitors continuing to cheer him on.

Japan, U.S. intervene in currency market to strengthen yen

Japan, U.S. intervene in currency market to strengthen yen

A financial data monitor in Tokyo shows the U.S. dollar plunging to the lower 155 yen zone on the morning of Aug. 3, 2026, after Japan and the United States conducted a coordinated yen-buying intervention in the currency market to strengthen the Japanese currency.

CORRECTED: Japan, U.S. intervene in currency market to strengthen yen

CORRECTED: Japan, U.S. intervene in currency market to strengthen yen

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama speaks to reporters at the Finance Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 3, 2026, commenting on a coordinated yen-buying intervention by Japan and the United States in the currency market to strengthen the Japanese currency.

CORRECTED: Japan, U.S. intervene in currency market to stem yen's fall

CORRECTED: Japan, U.S. intervene in currency market to stem yen's fall

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama (C) speaks to reporters at the Finance Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 3, 2026, commenting on a coordinated yen-buying intervention by Japan and the United States in the currency market to strengthen the Japanese currency.

CORRECTED: Japan, U.S. intervene in currency market to strengthen yen

CORRECTED: Japan, U.S. intervene in currency market to strengthen yen

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama speaks to reporters at the Finance Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 3, 2026, commenting on a coordinated yen-buying intervention by Japan and the United States in the currency market to strengthen the Japanese currency.

CORRECTED: Japan, U.S. intervene in currency market to strengthen yen

CORRECTED: Japan, U.S. intervene in currency market to strengthen yen

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama speaks to reporters at the Finance Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 3, 2026, commenting on a coordinated yen-buying intervention by Japan and the United States in the currency market to strengthen the Japanese currency.

CORRECTED: Japan, U.S. intervene in currency market to strengthen yen

CORRECTED: Japan, U.S. intervene in currency market to strengthen yen

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama speaks to reporters at the Finance Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 3, 2026, commenting on a coordinated yen-buying intervention by Japan and the United States in the currency market to strengthen the Japanese currency.

CORRECTED: Japan, U.S. intervene in currency market to strengthen yen

CORRECTED: Japan, U.S. intervene in currency market to strengthen yen

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama speaks to reporters at the Finance Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 3, 2026, commenting on a coordinated yen-buying intervention by Japan and the United States in the currency market to strengthen the Japanese currency.

American Football: Raiders' Matsuzawa

American Football: Raiders' Matsuzawa

Japanese-born kicker Kansei Matsuzawa (R) works out during training camp for NFL's Las Vegas Raiders in Henderson, Nevada, on Aug. 2, 2026. Matsuzawa earlier signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent following an impressive college season for the University of Hawaii.

American Football: Raiders' Matsuzawa

American Football: Raiders' Matsuzawa

Japanese-born kicker Kansei Matsuzawa (38) is pictured during training camp for the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders in Henderson, Nevada, on Aug. 2, 2026. Matsuzawa earlier signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent following an impressive college season for the University of Hawaii.

American Football: Raiders' Matsuzawa

American Football: Raiders' Matsuzawa

Japanese-born kicker Kansei Matsuzawa meets the press during training camp for NFL's Las Vegas Raiders in Henderson, Nevada, on Aug. 2, 2026. Matsuzawa earlier signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent following an impressive college season for the University of Hawaii.

American Football: Raiders' Matsuzawa

American Football: Raiders' Matsuzawa

Japanese-born kicker Kansei Matsuzawa meets the press during training camp for NFL's Las Vegas Raiders in Henderson, Nevada, on Aug. 2, 2026. Matsuzawa earlier signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent following an impressive college season for the University of Hawaii.

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Princess Aiko visits a museum at Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Princess Aiko visits a museum at Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Princess Aiko (C) visits Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026.

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Princess Aiko (C) joins others in pulling a rope to move a sacred tree trunk during a visit to Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026, as part of the rites for the "Shikinen Sengu" shrine building reconstruction, conducted every 20 years. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Princess Aiko (C) joins others in pulling a rope to move a sacred tree trunk during a visit to Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026, as part of the rites for the "Shikinen Sengu" shrine building reconstruction, conducted every 20 years. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Princess Aiko (C) joins others in pulling a rope to move a sacred tree trunk during a visit to Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026, as part of the rites for the "Shikinen Sengu" shrine building reconstruction, conducted every 20 years. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Princess Aiko visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Princess Aiko (C) joins others in pulling a rope to move a sacred tree trunk during a visit to Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026, as part of the rites for the "Shikinen Sengu" shrine building reconstruction, conducted every 20 years. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Mie Pref.

Princess Aiko visits Mie Pref.

Japanese Princess Aiko visits a lumbermill in Ise in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. The princess will visit Ise Jingu shrine the following day to watch a rite for the "Shikinen Sengu" shrine building reconstruction, which is conducted every 20 years. The rite will be performed using trees processed at the workshop. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Mie Pref.

Princess Aiko visits Mie Pref.

Japanese Princess Aiko watches a dugong during a visit to Toba Aquarium in Toba in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Mie Pref.

Princess Aiko visits Mie Pref.

Japanese Princess Aiko watches a sea otter during a visit to Toba Aquarium in Toba in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Mie Pref.

Princess Aiko visits Mie Pref.

Japanese Princess Aiko watches a dugong during a visit to Toba Aquarium in Toba in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Mie Pref.

Princess Aiko visits Mie Pref.

Japanese Princess Aiko waves upon arriving at Kintetsu Railway's Uji Yamada Station in Ise in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Mie Pref.

Princess Aiko visits Mie Pref.

Japanese Princess Aiko watches a sea otter during a visit to Toba Aquarium in Toba in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko visits Mie Pref.

Princess Aiko visits Mie Pref.

Japanese Princess Aiko arrives at Kintetsu Railway's Uji Yamada Station in Ise in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026.

Finance Minister Katayama

Finance Minister Katayama

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama (front) speaks to reporters at the Finance Ministry in Tokyo on July 31, 2026, following an abrupt surge in the yen against the U.S. dollar.

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.

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.

Japanese-made components found in Russian cruise missile

Japanese-made components found in Russian cruise missile

Photo taken in Kyiv on July 29, 2026, shows wreckage of a new Russian S8000 Banderol cruise missile that was used to attack Ukraine. Ukraine said the same day that foreign-made components, including those manufactured by a Japanese company in May 2021, have been found in a Russian missile.

Japanese-made components found in Russian cruise missile

Japanese-made components found in Russian cruise missile

Photo taken in Kyiv on July 29, 2026, shows wreckage of a new Russian S8000 Banderol cruise missile that was used to attack Ukraine. Ukraine said the same day that foreign-made components, including those manufactured by a Japanese company in May 2021, have been found in a Russian missile.

Basketball: Yamamoto makes WNBA debut

Basketball: Yamamoto makes WNBA debut

Las Vegas Aces guard Mai Yamamoto speaks to reporters in Las Vegas on July 28, 2026, after becoming the fifth Japanese to compete in the WNBA. Yamamoto entered a game against the Portland Fire in the fourth quarter.

BYD's electric minivehicle for Japan market

TOKYO, Japan, July 28 Kyodo - BYD Co.'s RACCO electric minivehicle, developed specifically for the Japanese market, is pictured in Tokyo on July 28, 2026, its launch day. (Kyodo)

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.