Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Performers march through the streets on the opening day of the Morioka Sansa dance festival in Morioka in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. About 26,600 people are expected to take part in the four-day event.

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Performers march through the streets on the opening day of the Morioka Sansa dance festival in Morioka in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. About 26,600 people are expected to take part in the four-day event.

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Performers march through the streets on the opening day of the Morioka Sansa dance festival in Morioka in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. About 26,600 people are expected to take part in the four-day event.

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Performers march through the streets on the opening day of the Morioka Sansa dance festival in Morioka in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. About 26,600 people are expected to take part in the four-day event.

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Performers march through the streets on the opening day of the Morioka Sansa dance festival in Morioka in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. About 26,600 people are expected to take part in the four-day event.

Day after car crash into LGBT parade in Berlin

Day after car crash into LGBT parade in Berlin

People stand in front of flowers and candles placed at a makeshift memorial in central Berlin on July 26, 2026, a day after a vehicle driven by a man plowed through a crowd of revelers taking part in a nearby parade for sexual minorities, leaving one person dead and about 30 injured.

Day after car crash into LGBT parade in Berlin

Day after car crash into LGBT parade in Berlin

People stand in front of flowers and candles placed at a makeshift memorial in central Berlin on July 26, 2026, a day after a vehicle driven by a man plowed through a crowd of revelers taking part in a nearby parade for sexual minorities, leaving one person dead and about 30 injured.

Eel-eating day in Japan

Eel-eating day in Japan

People queue at an eel restaurant in Narita near Tokyo on July 26, 2026, known as a day for eating eel in Japan.

Eel-eating day in Japan

Eel-eating day in Japan

People queue at an eel restaurant in Tokyo on July 26, 2026, known as a day for eating eel in Japan.

Japan's Asuka-Fujiwara sites added to World Heritage list

Japan's Asuka-Fujiwara sites added to World Heritage list

People celebrate at a public viewing site in Kashihara in Nara Prefecture on July 26, 2026, after UNESCO decided earlier in the day in Busan, South Korea, to add a group of ancient sites in the western Japan prefecture's Asuka-Fujiwara area, including Kashihara, to its World Heritage list.

Japan's Asuka-Fujiwara sites added to World Heritage list

Japan's Asuka-Fujiwara sites added to World Heritage list

People celebrate at a public viewing site in Kashihara in Nara Prefecture on July 26, 2026, after UNESCO decided earlier in the day in Busan, South Korea, to add a group of ancient sites in the western Japan prefecture's Asuka-Fujiwara area, including Kashihara, to its World Heritage list.

Japan's Asuka-Fujiwara sites added to World Heritage list

Japan's Asuka-Fujiwara sites added to World Heritage list

People celebrate at a public viewing site in Kashihara in Nara Prefecture on July 26, 2026, after UNESCO decided earlier in the day in Busan, South Korea, to add a group of ancient sites in the western Japan prefecture's Asuka-Fujiwara area, including Kashihara, to its World Heritage list.

Japan's Asuka-Fujiwara sites added to World Heritage list

Japan's Asuka-Fujiwara sites added to World Heritage list

People celebrate at a public viewing site in Kashihara in Nara Prefecture on July 26, 2026, after UNESCO decided earlier in the day in Busan, South Korea, to add a group of ancient sites in the western Japan prefecture's Asuka-Fujiwara area, including Kashihara, to its World Heritage list.

Japan's Asuka-Fujiwara sites added to World Heritage list

Japan's Asuka-Fujiwara sites added to World Heritage list

People celebrate at a public viewing site in Kashihara in Nara Prefecture on July 26, 2026, after UNESCO decided earlier in the day in Busan, South Korea, to add a group of ancient sites in the western Japan prefecture's Asuka-Fujiwara area, including Kashihara, to its World Heritage list.

China: Typhoon Noul Makes Landfall, Bringing Strong Wind and Rain

Typhoon Noul brought destructive winds and heavy rains to South China, and made landfall in Guangdong Province on Sunday, July 26, knocking down trees and cutting power. Trains were stopped, schools were halted and residents were evacuated as the storm approached the coast. More than 715,000 people were evacuated across Guangdong, and over 700 flights were canceled in Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

China-Bangladesh summit

China-Bangladesh summit

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman (front, L) is pictured before his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 26, 2026. (Pool photo)

China-Bangladesh summit

China-Bangladesh summit

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman (2nd from R) holds talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 26, 2026. (Pool photo)

[Breaking News]Last performance at 103-year-old Osaka theater

OSAKA, Japan, May 26 Kyodo - People visit the Osaka Shochikuza Theatre in Osaka on May 26, 2026, when the final kabuki performance is held before the closure of the 103-year-old theater. (Kyodo)

Last performance at 103-year-old Osaka theater

Last performance at 103-year-old Osaka theater

People visit the Osaka Shochikuza Theatre in Osaka on May 26, 2026, when the final kabuki performance is held before the closure of the 103-year-old theater.

Last performance at 103-year-old Osaka theater

Last performance at 103-year-old Osaka theater

People visit the Osaka Shochikuza Theatre in Osaka on May 26, 2026, when the final kabuki performance is held before the closure of the 103-year-old theater.

Last performance at 103-year-old Osaka theater

Last performance at 103-year-old Osaka theater

People visit the Osaka Shochikuza Theatre in Osaka on May 26, 2026, when the final kabuki performance is held before the closure of the 103-year-old theater.

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito (L) and former Empress Michiko (C) chat with people while taking a walk around an imperial villa in Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo)

Ex-Emperor Akihito to stay at villa in Hayama

Ex-Emperor Akihito to stay at villa in Hayama

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito (front, 2nd from R) and former Empress Michiko (front, R) chat with people while taking a walk around an imperial villa in Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo)

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito (2nd from L) and former Empress Michiko (3rd from L) chat with people while taking a walk around an imperial villa in Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo)

Japan: Wildfires Grow in Iwate’s Otsuchi as Evacuation Orders Widen 5

Two wildfires, which broke out on the afternoon of April 22 in forested areas of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, in northeast Japan, have scorched more than 1,600 hectares of land as of Friday, April 24, with at least eight structures — including a home — reported destroyed. Authorities have issued evacuation orders for more than 3,000 people as firefighting efforts continue. This video was shot at near Otsuchi Fire Station on April 26.

Boao Forum for Asia

Boao Forum for Asia

Zhao Leji, chairperson of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, is pictured after addressing the annual Boao Forum for Asia on March 26, 2026, in Boao, Hainan Province, China.

Boao Forum for Asia

Boao Forum for Asia

Zhao Leji, chairperson of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, is pictured after addressing the annual Boao Forum for Asia on March 26, 2026, in Boao, Hainan Province, China.

Boao Forum for Asia

Boao Forum for Asia

Zhao Leji, chairperson of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, is pictured after addressing the annual Boao Forum for Asia on March 26, 2026, in Boao, Hainan Province, China.

Boao Forum for Asia

Boao Forum for Asia

Zhao Leji, chairperson of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, addresses the annual Boao Forum for Asia on March 26, 2026, in Boao, Hainan Province.

Boao Forum for Asia

Boao Forum for Asia

Zhao Leji, chairperson of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, addresses the annual Boao Forum for Asia on March 26, 2026, in Boao, Hainan Province.

Australia: Tens of Thousands Join Invasion Day Rallies

Invasion Day rallies were held across multiple cities and regions in Australia on Monday, Januar 26, 2026, drawing tens of thousands of participants nationwide. In Sydney, several thousand people took part in rallies calling for Indigenous rights, truth-telling about history, and reconciliation. In Melbourne, large crowds gathered for mostly peaceful demonstrations, with speeches urging action on injustices faced by Indigenous communities and reforms to history education.

Debate by leaders of Japanese political parties

Debate by leaders of Japanese political parties

(from L) Japanese Communist Party leader Tomoko Tamura, Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki, Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda, Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi, Japan Innovation Party co-leader Fumitake Fujita, Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya and Reiwa Shinsengumi co-leader Akiko Oishi attend a debate session at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026, a day before official campaigning for the Feb. 8 general election starts.

Debate by leaders of Japanese political parties

Debate by leaders of Japanese political parties

(from L) Japanese Communist Party leader Tomoko Tamura, Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki, Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda, Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi, Japan Innovation Party co-leader Fumitake Fujita, Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya and Reiwa Shinsengumi co-leader Akiko Oishi attend a debate session at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026, a day before official campaigning for the Feb. 8 general election starts.

Japanese political parties' leaders

Japanese political parties' leaders

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C), who heads the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, attends a debate with leaders of other political parties at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026. Participants of the debate session set prior to a general election on Feb. 8 are (from L) Japanese Communist Party leader Tomoko Tamura, Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki, Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda, (from 5th from L) Japan Innovation Party co-leader Fumitake Fujita, Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya and Reiwa Shinsengumi co-leader Akiko Oishi.

Japanese political parties' leaders

Japanese political parties' leaders

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C), who heads the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, poses with leaders of other political parties before a debate session at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026. Participants of the debate session set prior to a general election on Feb. 8 are (from L) Japanese Communist Party leader Tomoko Tamura, Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki, Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda, (from 5th from L) Japan Innovation Party co-leader Fumitake Fujita, Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya and Reiwa Shinsengumi co-leader Akiko Oishi.

Japanese political parties' leaders

Japanese political parties' leaders

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C), who heads the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, poses with leaders of other political parties before a debate session at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026. Participants of the debate session set prior to a general election on Feb. 8 are (from L) Japanese Communist Party leader Tomoko Tamura, Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki, Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda, (from 5th from L) Japan Innovation Party co-leader Fumitake Fujita, Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya and Reiwa Shinsengumi co-leader Akiko Oishi.

Japanese political parties' leaders

Japanese political parties' leaders

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C), who heads the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, poses with leaders of other political parties before a debate session at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026. Participants of the debate session set prior to a general election on Feb. 8 are (from L) Japanese Communist Party leader Tomoko Tamura, Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki, Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda, (from 5th from L) Japan Innovation Party co-leader Fumitake Fujita, Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya and Reiwa Shinsengumi co-leader Akiko Oishi.

Japanese political parties' leaders

Japanese political parties' leaders

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C), who heads the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, poses with leaders of other political parties before a debate session at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026. Participants of the debate session set prior to a general election on Feb. 8 are (from L) Japanese Communist Party leader Tomoko Tamura, Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki, Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda, (from 5th from L) Japan Innovation Party co-leader Fumitake Fujita, Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya and Reiwa Shinsengumi co-leader Akiko Oishi.

Heavy snow in Hokkaido

Heavy snow in Hokkaido

People walk near the Sapporo Clock Tower in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026, following heavy snowfall.

Heavy snow in Hokkaido

Heavy snow in Hokkaido

People cross a street in a downtown area of Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026, following heavy snowfall.

Heavy snow in Hokkaido

Heavy snow in Hokkaido

People walk on a street in a downtown area of Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026, following heavy snowfall.

10 years after deadly bus crash in central Japan

10 years after deadly bus crash in central Japan

Photo taken Jan. 15, 2026, shows a cenotaph for the victims of a 2016 ski trip charter bus crash near the accident site in the mountain resort town of Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture, central Japan, with flowers offered on its 10th anniversary the same day. The accident left 15 people dead and 26 injured, mostly college students.

10 years after deadly bus crash in central Japan

10 years after deadly bus crash in central Japan

Photo taken Jan. 15, 2026, shows a cenotaph for the victims of a 2016 ski trip charter bus crash near the accident site in the mountain resort town of Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture, central Japan, with flowers offered on its 10th anniversary the same day. The accident left 15 people dead and 26 injured, mostly college students.

10 years after deadly bus crash in central Japan

10 years after deadly bus crash in central Japan

Photo taken Jan. 15, 2026, shows a cenotaph for the victims of a 2016 ski trip charter bus crash near the accident site in the mountain resort town of Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture, central Japan, with flowers offered on its 10th anniversary the same day. The accident left 15 people dead and 26 injured, mostly college students.

Heavy Rains that Have Been Impacting Madagascar Since Late November Last Year

Heavy Rains that Have Been Impacting Madagascar Since Late November Last Year

Vendors sell fruits alongside a flooded street in a neighborhood in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, on January 7, 2026. Heavy rains that have been impacting Madagascar since late November last year have caused the deaths of 11 people and left six others injured, according to a report released Tuesday by the country's disaster management agency. The capital, Antananarivo, is among the areas hardest hit. A total of 274 people have been affected, with 26 residential houses damaged or destroyed, said the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management. Located in the western Indian Ocean, Madagascar typically experiences its rainy season from November to March. The accompanying severe weather often causes loss of life, displaces residents, and floods vast areas of agricultural land. Photo by Sitraka Rajaonarison/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Heavy Rains that Have Been Impacting Madagascar Since Late November Last Year

Heavy Rains that Have Been Impacting Madagascar Since Late November Last Year

Vendors sell fruits alongside a flooded street in a neighborhood in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, on January 7, 2026. Heavy rains that have been impacting Madagascar since late November last year have caused the deaths of 11 people and left six others injured, according to a report released Tuesday by the country's disaster management agency. The capital, Antananarivo, is among the areas hardest hit. A total of 274 people have been affected, with 26 residential houses damaged or destroyed, said the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management. Located in the western Indian Ocean, Madagascar typically experiences its rainy season from November to March. The accompanying severe weather often causes loss of life, displaces residents, and floods vast areas of agricultural land. Photo by Sitraka Rajaonarison/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Heavy Rains that Have Been Impacting Madagascar Since Late November Last Year

Heavy Rains that Have Been Impacting Madagascar Since Late November Last Year

Vendors sell fruits alongside a flooded street in a neighborhood in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, on January 7, 2026. Heavy rains that have been impacting Madagascar since late November last year have caused the deaths of 11 people and left six others injured, according to a report released Tuesday by the country's disaster management agency. The capital, Antananarivo, is among the areas hardest hit. A total of 274 people have been affected, with 26 residential houses damaged or destroyed, said the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management. Located in the western Indian Ocean, Madagascar typically experiences its rainy season from November to March. The accompanying severe weather often causes loss of life, displaces residents, and floods vast areas of agricultural land. Photo by Sitraka Rajaonarison/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Heavy Rains that Have Been Impacting Madagascar Since Late November Last Year

Heavy Rains that Have Been Impacting Madagascar Since Late November Last Year

People cross a flooded street in a neighborhood in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, on January 7, 2026. Heavy rains that have been impacting Madagascar since late November last year have caused the deaths of 11 people and left six others injured, according to a report released Tuesday by the country's disaster management agency. The capital, Antananarivo, is among the areas hardest hit. A total of 274 people have been affected, with 26 residential houses damaged or destroyed, said the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management. Located in the western Indian Ocean, Madagascar typically experiences its rainy season from November to March. The accompanying severe weather often causes loss of life, displaces residents, and floods vast areas of agricultural land. Photo by Sitraka Rajaonarison/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Heavy Rains that Have Been Impacting Madagascar Since Late November Last Year

Heavy Rains that Have Been Impacting Madagascar Since Late November Last Year

People walk through floodwaters in a neighborhood in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, on January 7, 2026. Heavy rains that have been impacting Madagascar since late November last year have caused the deaths of 11 people and left six others injured, according to a report released Tuesday by the country's disaster management agency. The capital, Antananarivo, is among the areas hardest hit. A total of 274 people have been affected, with 26 residential houses damaged or destroyed, said the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management. Located in the western Indian Ocean, Madagascar typically experiences its rainy season from November to March. The accompanying severe weather often causes loss of life, displaces residents, and floods vast areas of agricultural land. Photo by Sitraka Rajaonarison/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Heavy Rains that Have Been Impacting Madagascar Since Late November Last Year

Heavy Rains that Have Been Impacting Madagascar Since Late November Last Year

People travel by cart to wade through floodwaters in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, on January 7, 2026. Heavy rains that have been impacting Madagascar since late November last year have caused the deaths of 11 people and left six others injured, according to a report released Tuesday by the country's disaster management agency. The capital, Antananarivo, is among the areas hardest hit. A total of 274 people have been affected, with 26 residential houses damaged or destroyed, said the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management. Located in the western Indian Ocean, Madagascar typically experiences its rainy season from November to March. The accompanying severe weather often causes loss of life, displaces residents, and floods vast areas of agricultural land. Photo by Sitraka Rajaonarison/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM