[Breaking News]Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

TOKYO, Japan, Oct. 23 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures. (Kyodo)

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken on Oct. 23, 2025, from the town of Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan, shows the season's first snow-capped Mt. Fuji, the country's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken on Oct. 23, 2025, from the town of Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan, shows the season's first snow-capped Mt. Fuji, the country's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken on Oct. 23, 2025, from the town of Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan, shows the season's first snow-capped Mt. Fuji, the country's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken on Oct. 23, 2025, from Fujikawaguchiko town in Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan, shows the season's first snow-capped Mt. Fuji, the country's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Fireworks at Osaka expo

Fireworks at Osaka expo

Fireworks are seen through the World Exposition's iconic Grand Ring in Osaka on Aug. 23, 2025. The fireworks were originally intended to be used at canceled festivals this summer in seven prefectures.

Fireworks at Osaka expo

Fireworks at Osaka expo

Fireworks are seen through the World Exposition's iconic Grand Ring in Osaka on Aug. 23, 2025. The fireworks were originally intended to be used at canceled festivals this summer in seven prefectures.

Fireworks at Osaka expo

Fireworks at Osaka expo

Fireworks are seen through the World Exposition's iconic Grand Ring in Osaka on Aug. 23, 2025. The fireworks were originally intended to be used at canceled festivals this summer in seven prefectures.

Japan: Wildfires Rage in Okayama and Ehime Prefectures, Evacuations Ordered 7

Wildfires are raging in Ehime and Okayama prefectures in western Japan. In Okayama Prefecture, a forest fire broke out in Minami Ward, Okayama City, on Sunday, March 23. Despite the lifting of all evacuation orders, the burned area expanded to approximately 300 hectares as of Tuesday. 6 buildings were damaged, but no injuries have been reported. Also on Sunday, March 23, a fire broke out in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, on northwestern Shikoku Island, and spread to more than 150 hectares by Tuesday morning. Evacuation orders have been issued for 1300 homes. Local reports indicate a firefighter sustained a minor injury.

Japan: Wildfires Rage in Okayama and Ehime Prefectures, Evacuations Ordered 6

Wildfires are raging in Ehime and Okayama prefectures in western Japan. In Okayama Prefecture, a forest fire broke out in Minami Ward, Okayama City, on Sunday, March 23. Despite the lifting of all evacuation orders, the burned area expanded to approximately 300 hectares as of Tuesday. 6 buildings were damaged, but no injuries have been reported. Also on Sunday, March 23, a fire broke out in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, on northwestern Shikoku Island, and spread to more than 150 hectares by Tuesday morning. Evacuation orders have been issued for 1300 homes. Local reports indicate a firefighter sustained a minor injury.

Japan: Wildfires Rage in Okayama and Ehime Prefectures, Evacuations Ordered 5

Wildfires are raging in Ehime and Okayama prefectures in western Japan. In Okayama Prefecture, a forest fire broke out in Minami Ward, Okayama City, on Sunday, March 23. Evacuation orders were issued, and the burned area expanded to approximately 250 hectares as of Monday, 7:00 a.m. local time. No injuries have been reported. Also on Sunday, March 23, a fire broke out in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, on northwestern Shikoku Island, and spread to 128 hectares by Monday morning. Local reports indicate a firefighter sustained a minor injury.

Japan: Wildfires Rage in Okayama and Ehime Prefectures, Evacuations Ordered 4

Wildfires are raging in Ehime and Okayama prefectures in western Japan. In Okayama Prefecture, a forest fire broke out in Minami Ward, Okayama City, on Sunday, March 23. Evacuation orders were issued, and the burned area expanded to approximately 250 hectares as of Monday, 7:00 a.m. local time. No injuries have been reported. Also on Sunday, March 23, a fire broke out in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, on northwestern Shikoku Island, and spread to 128 hectares by Monday morning. Local reports indicate a firefighter sustained a minor injury.

Japan: Wildfires Rage in Okayama and Ehime Prefectures, Evacuations Ordered 3

Wildfires are raging in Ehime and Okayama prefectures in western Japan. In Okayama Prefecture, a forest fire broke out in Minami Ward, Okayama City, on Sunday, March 23. Evacuation orders were issued, and the burned area expanded to approximately 250 hectares as of Monday, 7:00 a.m. local time. No injuries have been reported. Also on Sunday, March 23, a fire broke out in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, on northwestern Shikoku Island, and spread to 128 hectares by Monday morning. Local reports indicate a firefighter sustained a minor injury.

Japan: Wildfires Rage in Okayama and Ehime Prefectures, Evacuations Ordered

Wildfires have raged in Okayama and Ehime prefectures in western Japan, prompting evacuations in some areas. In Okayama Prefecture, a forest fire broke out in Minami Ward, Okayama City, on Sunday, March 23. Evacuation orders were issued, and the burned area expanded to approximately 250 hectares as of Monday, 7:00 a.m. local time. No injuries have been reported.

Japan: Wildfires Rage in Okayama and Ehime Prefectures, Evacuations Ordered 2

Wildfires have raged in Okayama and Ehime prefectures in western Japan, prompting evacuations in some areas. In Okayama Prefecture, a forest fire broke out in Minami Ward, Okayama City, on Sunday, March 23. Evacuation orders were issued, and the burned area expanded to approximately 250 hectares as of Monday, 7:00 a.m. local time. No injuries have been reported.

World Exposition in Osaka

World Exposition in Osaka

The opening ceremony is held on March 23, 2025, at Kansai Pavilion at the 2025 World Exposition site in Osaka ahead of the event's start in April. The pavilion will showcase exhibitions from nine western Japan prefectures.

World Exposition in Osaka

World Exposition in Osaka

Photo taken on March 23, 2025, shows Kansai Pavilion at the 2025 World Exposition site in Osaka ahead of the event's start in April. The pavilion will showcase exhibitions from nine western Japan prefectures.

World Exposition in Osaka

World Exposition in Osaka

Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai (R) visits the area earmarked for the western Japan prefecture, home to the Tottori Sand Dunes, in the Kansai Pavilion at the 2025 World Exposition site in Osaka on March 23, 2025, ahead of the expo's start in April. The Kansai Pavilion will showcase exhibitions from nine prefectures in the western Japan region.

Osaka Expo pavilion

Osaka Expo pavilion

The Kansai Pavilion, a showcase by nine prefectures from the Kansai region in western Japan for the 2025 World Exposition, is lit up during a press preview on Oct. 23, 2024, ahead of the Expo's six-month run starting in April 2025, on an artificial island in Osaka, western Japan.

Osaka Expo pavilion

Osaka Expo pavilion

Shiga Gov. Taizo Mikazuki (C) speaks to reporters during a press preview of the Kansai Pavilion, a showcase by nine prefectures, including Shiga Prefecture, from the Kansai region in western Japan for the 2025 World Exposition, on Oct. 23, 2024, ahead of the Expo's six-month run starting in April 2025, on an artificial island in Osaka, western Japan.

Osaka Expo pavilion

Osaka Expo pavilion

The Kansai Pavilion, a showcase by nine prefectures from the Kansai region in western Japan for the 2025 World Exposition, is lit up during a press preview on Oct. 23, 2024, ahead of the Expo's six-month run starting in April 2025, on an artificial island in Osaka, western Japan.

Osaka Expo pavilion

Osaka Expo pavilion

Photo shows the Kansai Pavilion, a showcase by nine prefectures from the Kansai region in western Japan for the 2025 World Exposition, on an artificial island in Osaka, western Japan, unveiled to the media on Oct. 23, 2024, ahead of the Expo's six-month run starting in April 2025.

1st anniv. of bullet train Kamome

1st anniv. of bullet train Kamome

A Kamome bullet train painted like a human face is pictured at a depot in the Nagasaki Prefecture city of Omura, southwestern Japan, on Sept. 23, 2023, marking the first anniversary of the start of its commercial services on the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen Line in Saga and Nagasaki prefectures.

1st anniv. of bullet train Kamome

1st anniv. of bullet train Kamome

A Kamome bullet train painted like a human face is pictured at a depot in the Nagasaki Prefecture city of Omura, southwestern Japan, on Sept. 23, 2023, marking the first anniversary of the start of its commercial services on the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen Line in Saga and Nagasaki prefectures.

1st anniv. of bullet train Kamome

1st anniv. of bullet train Kamome

A Kamome bullet train departs JR Nagasaki Station in the southwestern Japan city of Nagasaki on Sept. 23, 2023, marking the first anniversary of the start of its commercial services on the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen Line in Saga and Nagasaki prefectures.

1st anniv. of bullet train Kamome

1st anniv. of bullet train Kamome

A Kamome bullet train departs JR Nagasaki Station in the southwestern Japan city of Nagasaki on Sept. 23, 2023, marking the first anniversary of the start of its commercial services on the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen Line in Saga and Nagasaki prefectures.

1st anniv. of bullet train Kamome

1st anniv. of bullet train Kamome

A Kamome bullet train departs JR Nagasaki Station in the southwestern Japan city of Nagasaki on Sept. 23, 2023, marking the first anniversary of the start of its commercial services on the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen Line in Saga and Nagasaki prefectures.

1st anniv. of bullet train Kamome

1st anniv. of bullet train Kamome

A Kamome bullet train prepares to depart JR Nagasaki Station in the southwestern Japan city of Nagasaki on Sept. 23, 2023, marking the first anniversary of the start of its commercial services on the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen Line in Saga and Nagasaki prefectures.

Meeting on National Strategic Special Zone in Kansai

Meeting on National Strategic Special Zone in Kansai

OSAKA, Japan - Hyogo Gov. Toshizo Ido, Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui and Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Yoshitaka Shindo (from L) give a press conference in Osaka on June 23, 2014, after a meeting on establishing a National Strategic Special Zone covering Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures, western Japan, as a base for medical innovation.

Michelin guide Kansai 2015

Michelin guide Kansai 2015

OSAKA, Japan - Michelin announces in Osaka, western Japan, on Oct. 20, 2014, the restaurants listed on the 2015 Michelin Guide Kansai, which covers the western Japanese prefectures of Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Nara. The guide went on sale in Japan on Oct. 23.

M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

AWAJI, Japan - A woman stands in a room of her house, where a sliding door of a closet came off, in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, following a strong earthquake on April 13, 2013. The 5:33 a.m. quake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.3 struck western Japan, injuring at least 23 people in five prefectures.

M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

AWAJI, Japan - A phenomenon believed to be liquefaction is seen on a sidewalk in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, following a strong earthquake on April 13, 2013. The 5:33 a.m. quake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.3 struck western Japan, injuring at least 23 people in five prefectures.

M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

SUMOTO, Japan - Photo shows an electronics retail store in Sumoto, Hyogo Prefecture, following a strong earthquake on April 13, 2013. The 5:33 a.m. quake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.3 struck western Japan, injuring at least 23 people in five prefectures.

M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

SUMOTO, Japan - A "torii" gate to a shrine in Sumoto, Hyogo Prefecture, is broken following a strong earthquake on April 13, 2013. The 5:33 a.m. quake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.3 struck western Japan, injuring at least 23 people in five prefectures.

M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

AWAJI, Japan - A public library in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, is scattered with books on the floor following a strong earthquake on April 13, 2013. The 5:33 a.m. quake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.3 struck western Japan, injuring at least 23 people in five prefectures.

M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

SUMOTO, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a house whose roof tiles fell off in Sumoto, Hyogo Prefecture, following a strong earthquake on April 13, 2013. The 5:33 a.m. quake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.3 struck western Japan, injuring at least 23 people in five prefectures.

M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

SUMOTO, Japan - A crack is made on the ground of an elementary school in Sumoto, Hyogo Prefecture, following a strong earthquake on April 13, 2013. The 5:33 a.m. quake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.3 struck western Japan, injuring at least 23 people in five prefectures.

M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

AWAJI, Japan - A fence of a house leans heavily in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, following a strong earthquake on April 13, 2013. The 5:33 a.m. quake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.3 struck western Japan, injuring at least 23 people in five prefectures.

M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

AWAJI, Japan - A rental video store in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, is scattered with DVDs on the floor following a strong earthquake on April 13, 2013. The 5:33 a.m. quake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.3 struck western Japan, injuring at least 23 people in five prefectures.

Admission fee mulled for Mt. Fuji

Admission fee mulled for Mt. Fuji

TOKYO, Japan - An August 2012 file photo shows alpinists climbing Mt. Fuji west of Tokyo. The governors of Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures straddled by the highest mountain in Japan said on Feb. 23, 2013, that they are considering introducing an admission fee for Mt. Fuji to finance efforts for environmental protection.

Disaster-hit kids' photo album

Disaster-hit kids' photo album

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken on Feb. 23, 2012, shows ''3/11 Kids Photo Journal,'' a photo album of pictures taken by 33 elementary and junior high school students in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures hit by March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which was published the same day by Kodansha Ltd.

Eruption of Shinmoe Peak

Eruption of Shinmoe Peak

KIRISHIMA, Japan - Photo taken from Kirishima, Kagoshima Prefecture, shows Shinmoe Peak, a volcano on the border of Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures in southwestern Japan, erupting on June 29, 2011. The volcano last erupted on June 23.

Miyagi Gov. Murai

Miyagi Gov. Murai

TOKYO, Japan - Miyagi Gov. Yoshihiro Murai enters the prime minister's office in Tokyo on April 23, 2011, to attend a meeting of the central government's panel on reconstruction in tsunami-hit areas. At the meeting, he proposed establishing a new institution linking the state and three prefectures devastated by the March 11 mega earthquake and tsunami, as well as disaster-hit municipalities in the region, to promote integrated post-quake reconstruction.