Search｜Photos & Images & Videos｜KYODO NEWS IMAGES INC

Rare Blue Moon Closes Out May, Doubling as Micromoon 3

The second full moon of May, known as a Blue Moon, reached peak illumination on Sunday, May 31, the only Blue Moon of 2026. The celestial event, which occurs roughly every two to three years, also qualified as a micromoon, as the moon was farther from Earth than average, making it appear slightly smaller than usual.

E

Rare Blue Moon Closes Out May, Doubling as Micromoon 2

The second full moon of May, known as a Blue Moon, reached peak illumination on Sunday, May 31, the only Blue Moon of 2026. The celestial event, which occurs roughly every two to three years, also qualified as a micromoon, as the moon was farther from Earth than average, making it appear slightly smaller than usual.

E

Economy minister Akazawa visits Kagoshima oil reserve facility

Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa (2nd from R) visits Eneos Corp.'s Kiire crude oil reserve terminal in the city of Kagoshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, on May 31, 2026.

E

Economy minister Akazawa visits Kagoshima oil reserve facility

Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa (2nd from L) talks with an official of Eneos Corp. during his visit to the oil distributor's Kiire crude oil reserve terminal in the city of Kagoshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, on May 31, 2026.

E

Rare Blue Moon Closes Out May, Doubling as Micromoon

The second full moon of May, known as a Blue Moon, reached peak illumination on Sunday, May 31, the only Blue Moon of 2026. The celestial event, which occurs roughly every two to three years, also qualified as a micromoon, as the moon was farther from Earth than average, making it appear slightly smaller than usual.

E

Horse racing: Japanese Derby

Jockey Kohei Matsuyama (2nd from R) poses for a photo after riding Lovcen to victory in the 93rd Japanese Derby at Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu, western Tokyo, on May 31, 2026.

E

Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito (2nd from R) and Crown Princess Kiko (far R) release Japanese crested ibises into the wild in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on May 31, 2026, marking the first presence of the birds, designated as natural treasures, on the country's main island in 56 years. The number of wild crested ibises had tumbled due to overhunting, with the last one on the main island of Honshu captured in 1970.

E

Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito (2nd from R) and Crown Princess Kiko (far R) release Japanese crested ibises into the wild in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on May 31, 2026, marking the first presence of the birds, designated as natural treasures, on the country's main island in 56 years. The number of wild crested ibises had tumbled due to overhunting, with the last one on the main island of Honshu captured in 1970. (Pool photo)

E

Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito (2nd from R) and Crown Princess Kiko (far R) release Japanese crested ibises into the wild in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on May 31, 2026, marking the first presence of the birds, designated as natural treasures, on the country's main island in 56 years. The number of wild crested ibises had tumbled due to overhunting, with the last one on the main island of Honshu captured in 1970.

E

Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito (2nd from R) and Crown Princess Kiko (far R) release Japanese crested ibises into the wild in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on May 31, 2026, marking the first presence of the birds, designated as natural treasures, on the country's main island in 56 years. The number of wild crested ibises had tumbled due to overhunting, with the last one on the main island of Honshu captured in 1970. (Pool photo)

E

Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito (2nd from R) and Crown Princess Kiko (far R) release Japanese crested ibises into the wild in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on May 31, 2026, marking the first presence of the birds, designated as natural treasures, on the country's main island in 56 years. The number of wild crested ibises had tumbled due to overhunting, with the last one on the main island of Honshu captured in 1970. (Pool photo)

E

Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito (2nd from R) and Crown Princess Kiko (far R) release Japanese crested ibises into the wild in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on May 31, 2026, marking the first presence of the birds, designated as natural treasures, on the country's main island in 56 years. The number of wild crested ibises had tumbled due to overhunting, with the last one on the main island of Honshu captured in 1970.

E

Philippine President Marcos Jr. in Japan

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (2nd from L) and his wife, Louise Araneta-Marcos (far L), visit the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 29, 2026, to say farewell to Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako following a state visit to Japan.

E

Philippine President Marcos Jr. in Japan

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (2nd from L) and his wife, Louise Araneta-Marcos (far L), visit the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 29, 2026, to say farewell to Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako following a state visit to Japan.

E

Philippine President Marcos Jr. in Japan

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (2nd from L) and his wife, Louise Araneta-Marcos (far L), visit the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 29, 2026, to say farewell to Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako following a state visit to Japan.

E

Philippine President Marcos Jr. in Japan

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (3rd from R) introduces Crown Prince Akishino (2nd from R) and Crown Princess Kiko (far R) to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (4th from R) at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2026. Beside them are the Philippine president's wife, Louise Araneta-Marcos (far L), and Japan's Empress Masako. (Pool photo)

E

Philippine President Marcos Jr. in Japan

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R) and Empress Masako (far R) greet Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his wife Louise Araneta-Marcos at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2026. (Pool photo)

E

Welcome ceremony for Philippine President Marcos Jr.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (on dais, 2nd from R) and Empress Masako (on dais, far R) attend a welcome ceremony for Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (on dais, 3rd from R) and his wife Louise Araneta-Marcos at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2026. (Pool photo)

E

Welcome ceremony for Philippine President Marcos Jr.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R) and Empress Masako (far R) attend a welcome ceremony for Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (on red carpet) and his wife Louise Araneta-Marcos at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2026. (Pool photo)

E

Philippine president in Japan's parliament

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (2nd from L) is greeted by Japanese House of Councillors President Masakazu Sekiguchi (2nd from R) and other members of the chamber upon arriving at Japan's parliament building in Tokyo on May 28, 2026.

E

Japan's state banquet for Philippine President Marcos Jr.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R) and Empress Masako (far R) see off Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his wife Louise Araneta-Marcos after a state banquet at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2026. (pool photo)

E

Japan's state banquet for Philippine President Marcos Jr.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (far R) and Empress Masako (2nd from R) see off Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his wife Louise Araneta-Marcos after a state banquet at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2026. (pool photo)

E

Japan-Philippines summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (far R) holds talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (2nd from L) at the State Guest House in Tokyo on May 28, 2026. (Pool photo)

E

Philippine president in Japan's parliament

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (2nd from L) arrives at Japan's parliament in Tokyo on May 28, 2026, to make a speech in the plenary chamber of the House of Councillors.

E

Japan's state banquet for Philippine President Marcos Jr.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (3rd from L) and Empress Masako (far R) welcome Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (2nd from L) and his wife Louise Araneta-Marcos for a state banquet at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2026. (Pool photo)

E

Japan's state banquet for Philippine President Marcos Jr.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (far R) and Empress Masako (2nd from R) welcome Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (far L) and his wife Louise Araneta-Marcos for a state banquet at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2026. (Pool photo)

E

Japan's state banquet for Philippine President Marcos Jr.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (3rd from L) and Empress Masako (far R) welcome Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (2nd from L) and his wife Louise Araneta-Marcos for a state banquet at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2026. (Pool photo)

E

Japan's state banquet for Philippine President Marcos Jr.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (front, 2nd from R) and Empress Masako (far R) see off Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (far L) and his wife Louise Araneta-Marcos following a state banquet in their honor at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2026. (Pool photo)

E

Japan's state banquet for Philippine President Marcos Jr.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (4th from L) welcomes Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (2nd from L) and his wife Louise Araneta-Marcos (far R) during a state banquet at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2026. (Pool photo)

E

Philippine President Marcos Jr. in Japan

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (far R) and Empress Masako (2nd from L) escort Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his wife Louise Araneta-Marcos at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2026. (Pool photo)

E

Philippine President Marcos Jr. in Japan

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (far R) chats with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (2nd from R) while walking at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2026. Walking behind them are Japanese Empress Masako (3rd from R) and the Philippine president's wife, Louise Araneta-Marcos. (Pool photo)

E

Philippine President Marcos Jr. in Japan

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (far L) and his wife Louise Araneta-Marcos (2nd from L) are greeted by Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2026. (Pool photo)

E

Philippine President Marcos Jr. in Japan

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R) and Empress Masako (far R) meet with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his wife Louise Araneta-Marcos at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2026. (Pool photo)

E

Welcome ceremony for Philippine President Marcos Jr.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (2nd from L) and his wife Louise Araneta-Marcos (L) attend a welcome ceremony with Japanese Emperor Naruhito (3rd from L) and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2026, after arriving in Japan the previous day for a four-day state visit. (Pool photo)

E

Japan-India foreign ministerial talks

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (3rd from R) and his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (2nd from L) hold talks in New Delhi on May 25, 2026.

E

Horse racing: female jockey wins Japanese Oaks

Seina Imamura steers 3-year-old mare Juryoku Pierrot (2nd from L) to victory at the Japanese Oaks horse race at Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu, western Tokyo, on May 24, 2026, becoming the first female jockey from the Japan Racing Association to win a Grade 1 race.

E

Film director Koreeda in Cannes

Japanese film director Hirokazu Koreeda (2nd from L) holds a press conference at the Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 17, 2026, a day after the screening of his latest film "Sheep in the Box." Haruka Ayase (far L), Rimu Kuwaki (2nd from R) and Daigo star in the film.

E

China-Russia summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping (far L) holds talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin (2nd from R) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 20, 2026. (Pool photo)

E

China-Russia summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping (far L) holds talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin (2nd from R) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 20, 2026. (Pool photo)

E

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)

E

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)

E

Japan-S. Korea summit

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (2nd from R) holds talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (not seen) in Andong, South Korea, on May 19, 2026.

E

Japan-S. Korea summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (far L) is greeted by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (2nd from L) before their summit meeting in Andong, South Korea, on May 19, 2026.

E

Brazilian foreign minister in Tokyo

Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa (2nd from R) holds talks with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira (2nd from L) in Tokyo on May 18, 2026.

E

Reception for heads of U.N. agencies

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front row, 2nd from R) poses for a photo with U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres (front row, 3rd from R) and the heads and officials of other U.N. agencies ahead of a welcome reception at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 18, 2026.

E

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Angels

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (R) celebrates with manager Dave Roberts (back, 2nd from L) and teammates after scoring on a single by Andy Pages (44) in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, on May 17, 2026.

E

U.S. President Trump in Beijing

Chinese President Xi Jinping (front, R) attends a welcome ceremony for U.S. President Donald Trump (not seen) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (front, L), Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook (2nd row, L), Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk (2nd row, C) and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (2nd row, R) also attended the ceremony. (Pool photo)

E

Baseball: Giants vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto (L) is pulled from the mound by manager Dave Roberts (2nd from L) during the seventh inning in a baseball game against San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on May 12, 2026.

E

Japan-Philippines defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (2nd from R) holds talks with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro (2nd from L) in Manila on May 5, 2026.

E

Japan-Australia summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (back, 2nd from R) holds talks with her Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese (front, 2nd from L) in Canberra on May 4, 2026.