Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

Work to set up a cauldron is underway at Piazza Angelo Dibona, a central square in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on Jan. 26, 2026, ahead of the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

Work to set up a cauldron is underway at Piazza Angelo Dibona, a central square in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on Jan. 26, 2026, ahead of the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

Work to set up a cauldron is underway at Piazza Angelo Dibona, a central square in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on Jan. 26, 2026, ahead of the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

Snowboarding: Kokomo Murase

Snowboarding: Kokomo Murase

Japan's Kokomo Murase performs en route to winning the women's big air at the snowboard world championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland, on March 26, 2025.

Snowboarding: Kokomo Murase

Snowboarding: Kokomo Murase

Japan's Kokomo Murase performs en route to winning the women's big air at the snowboard world championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland, on March 26, 2025.

Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

Photo taken on Jan. 26, 2026, shows Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, which will host Alpine skiing competitions at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, opening on Feb. 6.

Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

Photo taken on Jan. 26, 2026, shows Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, which will host Alpine skiing competitions at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, opening on Feb. 6.

Interview with ex-PM Suga

Interview with ex-PM Suga

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga speaks during an interview in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026. He recently retired from politics.

Interview with ex-PM Suga

Interview with ex-PM Suga

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga speaks during an interview in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026. He recently retired from politics.

Debate by leaders of Japanese political parties

Debate by leaders of Japanese political parties

Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi speaks at a debate session with the leaders of six other political parties 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

Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi speaks at a debate session with the leaders of six other political parties 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

Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi speaks at a debate session with the leaders of six other political parties 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

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi attend a debate session with the leaders of five other political parties 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.

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.

Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics torch relay

Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics torch relay

The torch relay for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics is held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on Jan. 26, 2026.

Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics torch relay

Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics torch relay

The torch relay for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics is held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on Jan. 26, 2026.

Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics torch relay

Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics torch relay

The torch relay for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics is held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on Jan. 26, 2026.

Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics torch relay

Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics torch relay

The torch relay for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics is held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on Jan. 26, 2026.

Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics torch relay

Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics torch relay

The torch relay for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics is held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on Jan. 26, 2026.

Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics torch relay

Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics torch relay

The torch relay for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics is held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on Jan. 26, 2026.

Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics torch relay

Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics torch relay

The torch relay for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics is held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on Jan. 26, 2026.

Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics torch relay

Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics torch relay

The torch relay for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics is held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on Jan. 26, 2026.

Pokemon-themed park

Pokemon-themed park

Photo taken on Jan. 26, 2026, shows a Pokemon-themed park in Tokyo, which was unveiled to the media before its public opening on Feb. 5. Visitors can encounter about 600 Pokemon at PokePark Kanto, situated within Yomiuri Land amusement park.

Pokemon-themed park

Pokemon-themed park

Photo taken on Jan. 26, 2026, shows a Pokemon-themed park in Tokyo, which was unveiled to the media before its public opening on Feb. 5. Visitors can encounter about 600 Pokemon at PokePark Kanto, situated within Yomiuri Land amusement park.

Pokemon-themed park

Pokemon-themed park

Photo taken on Jan. 26, 2026, shows a Pokemon-themed park in Tokyo, which was unveiled to the media before its public opening on Feb. 5. Visitors can encounter about 600 Pokemon at PokePark Kanto, situated within Yomiuri Land amusement park.

Pokemon-themed park

Pokemon-themed park

Photo taken on Jan. 26, 2026, shows a Pokemon-themed park in Tokyo, which was unveiled to the media before its public opening on Feb. 5. Visitors can encounter about 600 Pokemon at PokePark Kanto, situated within Yomiuri Land amusement park.

Pokemon-themed park

Pokemon-themed park

Photo taken on Jan. 26, 2026, shows a Pokemon-themed park in Tokyo, which was unveiled to the media before its public opening on Feb. 5. Visitors can encounter about 600 Pokemon at PokePark Kanto, situated within Yomiuri Land amusement park.

Pokemon-themed park

Pokemon-themed park

Photo taken on Jan. 26, 2026, shows a Pokemon-themed park in Tokyo, which was unveiled to the media before its public opening on Feb. 5. Visitors can encounter about 600 Pokemon at PokePark Kanto, situated within Yomiuri Land amusement park.

Pokemon-themed park

Pokemon-themed park

Photo taken on Jan. 26, 2026, shows a Pokemon-themed park in Tokyo, which was unveiled to the media before its public opening on Feb. 5. Visitors can encounter about 600 Pokemon at PokePark Kanto, situated within Yomiuri Land amusement park.

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.

Sumo: Ozeki Aonishiki

Sumo: Ozeki Aonishiki

Ozeki Aonishiki holds up a newspaper reporting his victory at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament as he meets the press in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026.

World Baseball Classic Japan squad members

World Baseball Classic Japan squad members

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata speaks to journalists in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026, after announcing an additional 10 members for defending champion Japan's 2026 World Baseball Classic roster, including Los Angeles Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

World Baseball Classic Japan squad members

World Baseball Classic Japan squad members

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata poses for a photo in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026, after announcing an additional 10 members for defending champion Japan's 2026 World Baseball Classic roster, including Los Angeles Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

World Baseball Classic Japan squad members

World Baseball Classic Japan squad members

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata speaks to journalists in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026, after announcing an additional 10 members for defending champion Japan's 2026 World Baseball Classic roster, including Los Angeles Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

World Baseball Classic Japan squad members

World Baseball Classic Japan squad members

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata poses for a photo in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026, after announcing an additional 10 members for defending champion Japan's 2026 World Baseball Classic roster, including Los Angeles Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

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.

Making of lucky charms at western Japan shrine

Making of lucky charms at western Japan shrine

Making of "kiccho" lucky willow branch decorations for upcoming Setsubun celebration reaches its peak at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Hayatama Taisha shrine in Shingu in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026.

Making of lucky charms at western Japan shrine

Making of lucky charms at western Japan shrine

Making of "kiccho" lucky willow branch decorations for upcoming Setsubun celebration reaches its peak at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Hayatama Taisha shrine in Shingu in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda makes a stump speech in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026, ahead of the general election on Feb. 8.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda makes a stump speech in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026, ahead of the general election on Feb. 8.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Jan. 26, 2026.

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.

Fire drill at Horyu-ji temple

Fire drill at Horyu-ji temple

Monks and firefighters participate in an annual fire drill at the World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026. The date was designated in 1955 as a day for raising awareness about protecting cultural assets from fire after one of Horyu-ji temple buildings burned down on the same day in 1949.