Scenic route reopens in World Heritage Shiretoko area

Scenic route reopens in World Heritage Shiretoko area

Cars and motorcycles travel on the Shiretoko crossing road in Shari in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on April 28, 2026, as the scenic route in the World Heritage-listed Shiretoko region resumes operation for the spring tourist season after being closed for about six months due to snowfall.

Wife of ousted S. Korean president Yoon sentenced to 4 years

Wife of ousted S. Korean president Yoon sentenced to 4 years

People watch a televised Seoul High Court ruling on Kim Keon Hee, wife of South Korea's ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, in Seoul on April 28, 2026. The appeals court increased her sentence from 20 months to four years in prison on corruption charges.

Wife of ousted S. Korean president Yoon sentenced to 4 years

Wife of ousted S. Korean president Yoon sentenced to 4 years

People watch a televised Seoul High Court ruling on Kim Keon Hee, wife of South Korea's ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, in Seoul on April 28, 2026. The appeals court increased her sentence from 20 months to four years in prison on corruption charges.

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, when she marked six months in office.

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, when she marked six months in office.

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, when she marked six months in office.

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, when she marked six months in office.

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, when she marked six months in office.

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, when she marked six months in office.

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, when she marked six months in office.

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japan PM Takaichi marks 6 months in office

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, when she marked six months in office.

Wooden Grand Ring at expo venue in Osaka

Wooden Grand Ring at expo venue in Osaka

The 2025 World Exposition's iconic Grand Ring wooden roof structure is being dismantled in Osaka on March 5, 2026, about five months after the event's six-month run came to a close.

Wooden Grand Ring at expo venue in Osaka

Wooden Grand Ring at expo venue in Osaka

The 2025 World Exposition's iconic Grand Ring wooden roof structure is being dismantled in Osaka on March 5, 2026, about five months after the event's six-month run came to a close.

Wooden Grand Ring at expo venue in Osaka

Wooden Grand Ring at expo venue in Osaka

The 2025 World Exposition's iconic Grand Ring wooden roof structure is being dismantled in Osaka on March 5, 2026, about five months after the event's six-month run came to a close.

Wooden Grand Ring at expo venue in Osaka

Wooden Grand Ring at expo venue in Osaka

The 2025 World Exposition's iconic Grand Ring wooden roof structure is being dismantled in Osaka on March 5, 2026, about five months after the event's six-month run came to a close.

Wooden Grand Ring at expo venue in Osaka

Wooden Grand Ring at expo venue in Osaka

The 2025 World Exposition's iconic Grand Ring wooden roof structure is being dismantled in Osaka on March 5, 2026, about five months after the event's six-month run came to a close.

Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

Retired pro shogi player Hifumi Kato (R) chats with young player Sota Fujii in Tokyo in November 2018. The former holder of the most prestigious Meijin title, Kato died of pneumonia on Jan. 22, 2026, aged 86. He had held the record for becoming the youngest pro shogi player at 14 years and seven months in 1954 until Fujii broke it at 14 years and two months in 2016, while he played to the age of 77 years and five months, the oldest on record.

Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

Retiring pro shogi player Hifumi Kato waves after his retirement press conference in Tokyo in June 2017. The former holder of the most prestigious Meijin title, Kato died of pneumonia on Jan. 22, 2026, aged 86. He had held the record for becoming the youngest pro shogi player at 14 years and seven months in 1954 until Sota Fujii broke it at 14 years and two months in 2016, while he played to the age of 77 years and five months, the oldest on record.

Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

Retired pro shogi player Hifumi Kato gives an interview in Tokyo in November 2018. The former holder of the most prestigious Meijin title, Kato died of pneumonia on Jan. 22, 2026, aged 86. He had held the record for becoming the youngest pro shogi player at 14 years and seven months in 1954 until Sota Fujii broke it at 14 years and two months in 2016, while he played to the age of 77 years and five months, the oldest on record.

Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

Retired shogi player Hifumi Kato dies at 86

Pro shogi player Hifumi Kato (R) reviews his match against debutant Sota Fujii after being beaten by him in Tokyo in December 2016. The former holder of the most prestigious Meijin title, Kato died of pneumonia on Jan. 22, 2026, aged 86. He had held the record for becoming the youngest pro shogi player at 14 years and seven months in 1954 until Fujii broke it at 14 years and two months in 2016, while he played to the age of 77 years and five months, the oldest on record.

Russian trips to Japan surge in 2025

Russian trips to Japan surge in 2025

People queue at the Japanese Embassy in Moscow for procedures to obtain visas to Japan on Dec. 23, 2025. The number of trips from Russia to Japan doubled to a record 186,000 in the first 11 months of 2025, due to visa procedures remaining easy even after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, compared with stricter requirements imposed by European Union nations.

Russian trips to Japan surge in 2025

Russian trips to Japan surge in 2025

People queue at the Japanese Embassy in Moscow for procedures to obtain visas to Japan on Dec. 23, 2025. The number of trips from Russia to Japan doubled to a record 186,000 in the first 11 months of 2025, due to visa procedures remaining easy even after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, compared with stricter requirements imposed by European Union nations.

Russian trips to Japan surge in 2025

Russian trips to Japan surge in 2025

People queue at the Japanese Embassy in Moscow for procedures to obtain visas to Japan on Dec. 23, 2025. The number of trips from Russia to Japan doubled to a record 186,000 in the first 11 months of 2025, due to visa procedures remaining easy even after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, compared with stricter requirements imposed by European Union nations.

Japan Golf Tour record winner Jumbo Ozaki dies at 78

Japan Golf Tour record winner Jumbo Ozaki dies at 78

Masashi Ozaki lifts the victor's trophy after winning the ANA Open golf tournament at Sapporo Golf Club in Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Sept. 22, 2002, becoming the oldest winner on the Japan Golf Tour at 55 years and 7 months. Nicknamed Jumbo Ozaki, he died of sigmoid colon cancer aged 78 on Dec. 23, 2025, after scoring 112 wins, the most for a Japanese player, including 94 on the Japan Golf Tour.

Benchmark bond yield hits 26-year high

Benchmark bond yield hits 26-year high

A financial monitor in Tokyo shows the yield on the newly issued benchmark 10-year government bond rising to 2.015 percent, its highest in about 26 years and four months, on Dec. 19, 2025, following a Bank of Japan raise earlier in the day in its key interest rate to a 30-year high of around 0.75 percent.

Benchmark bond yield hits 26-year high

Benchmark bond yield hits 26-year high

A financial monitor in Tokyo shows the yield on the newly issued benchmark 10-year government bond rising to 2.015 percent, its highest in about 26 years and four months, on Dec. 19, 2025, following a Bank of Japan raise earlier in the day in its key interest rate to a 30-year high of around 0.75 percent.

Benchmark bond yield hits 26-year high

Benchmark bond yield hits 26-year high

A financial monitor in Tokyo shows the yield on the newly issued benchmark 10-year government bond rising to 2.015 percent, its highest in about 26 years and four months, on Dec. 19, 2025, following a Bank of Japan raise earlier in the day in its key interest rate to a 30-year high of around 0.75 percent.

Benchmark bond yield hits 26-year high

Benchmark bond yield hits 26-year high

A financial monitor in Tokyo shows the yield on the newly issued benchmark 10-year government bond rising to 2.015 percent, its highest in about 26 years and four months, on Dec. 19, 2025, following a Bank of Japan raise earlier in the day in its key interest rate to a 30-year high of around 0.75 percent.

Benchmark bond yield hits 26-year high

Benchmark bond yield hits 26-year high

A financial monitor in Tokyo shows the yield on the newly issued benchmark 10-year government bond rising to 2.015 percent, its highest in about 26 years and four months, on Dec. 19, 2025, following a Bank of Japan raise earlier in the day in its key interest rate to a 30-year high of around 0.75 percent.

Tennis: Nishikori

Tennis: Nishikori

Former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori of Japan plays against compatriot Kaichi Uchida in the quarterfinals of the men's singles at the Yokohama Keio Challenger tennis tournament in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Nov. 21, 2025. Nishikori returned to competition after a hiatus of about three months due to a back injury.

Tennis: Nishikori

Tennis: Nishikori

Former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori of Japan plays against compatriot Kaichi Uchida in the quarterfinals of the men's singles at the Yokohama Keio Challenger tennis tournament in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Nov. 21, 2025. Nishikori returned to competition after a hiatus of about three months due to a back injury.

Tennis: Nishikori

Tennis: Nishikori

Former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori of Japan plays against compatriot Kaichi Uchida in the quarterfinals of the men's singles at the Yokohama Keio Challenger tennis tournament in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Nov. 21, 2025. Nishikori returned to competition after a hiatus of about three months due to a back injury.

Tennis: Nishikori

Tennis: Nishikori

Former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori of Japan plays against South Korea's Shin San Hui in the second round of the men's singles at the Yokohama Keio Challenger tennis tournament in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Nov. 20, 2025. Nishikori returned to competition after a hiatus of about three months due to a back injury.

Tennis: Nishikori

Tennis: Nishikori

Former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori of Japan plays against South Korea's Shin San Hui in the second round of the men's singles at the Yokohama Keio Challenger tennis tournament in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Nov. 20, 2025. Nishikori returned to competition after a hiatus of about three months due to a back injury.

Tennis: Nishikori returns to competition

Tennis: Nishikori returns to competition

Former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori of Japan plays against compatriot Taisei Ichikawa in the first round of the men's singles at the Yokohama Keio Challenger tennis tournament in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Nov. 18, 2025, returning to competition after a hiatus of about three months due to a back injury.

Tennis: Nishikori returns to competition

Tennis: Nishikori returns to competition

Former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori of Japan plays against compatriot Taisei Ichikawa in the first round of the men's singles at the Yokohama Keio Challenger tennis tournament in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Nov. 18, 2025, returning to competition after a hiatus of about three months due to a back injury.

Tennis: Nishikori returns to competition

Tennis: Nishikori returns to competition

Former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori of Japan plays against compatriot Taisei Ichikawa in the first round of the men's singles at the Yokohama Keio Challenger tennis tournament in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Nov. 18, 2025, returning to competition after a hiatus of about three months due to a back injury.

Tennis: Nishikori returns to competition

Tennis: Nishikori returns to competition

Former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori of Japan plays against compatriot Taisei Ichikawa in the first round of the men's singles at the Yokohama Keio Challenger tennis tournament in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Nov. 18, 2025, returning to competition after a hiatus of about three months due to a back injury.

Chinese manned space mission

Chinese manned space mission

A rocket carrying three Chinese astronauts lifts off at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center near Jiuquan, Gansu Province, on Oct. 31, 2025. Three and a half hours later, the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft docked with China's Tiangong space station, where the three astronauts will stay for six months.

Chinese manned space mission

Chinese manned space mission

A rocket carrying three Chinese astronauts lifts off at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center near Jiuquan, Gansu Province, on Oct. 31, 2025. Three and a half hours later, the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft docked with China's Tiangong space station, where the three astronauts will stay for six months.

Chinese manned space mission

Chinese manned space mission

A rocket carrying three Chinese astronauts lifts off at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center near Jiuquan, Gansu Province, on Oct. 31, 2025. Three and a half hours later, the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft docked with China's Tiangong space station, where the three astronauts will stay for six months.

Chinese manned space mission

Chinese manned space mission

A rocket carrying three Chinese astronauts lifts off at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center near Jiuquan, Gansu Province, on Oct. 31, 2025. Three and a half hours later, the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft docked with China's Tiangong space station, where the three astronauts will stay for six months.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki meets the press after pitching a scoreless seventh inning in a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sept. 24, 2025. The 23-year-old right-hander, returning after spending four months on the injured list, made his first appearance as a reliever in the Major Leagues, delivering a scoreless and hitless inning.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks

Roki Sasaki of the Los Angeles Dodgers is congratulated by teammates, including compatriot Shohei Ohtani (R), after pitching a scoreless seventh inning in a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sept. 24, 2025. The 23-year-old right-hander, returning after spending four months on the injured list, made his first appearance as a reliever in the Major Leagues, delivering a scoreless and hitless inning.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks

Roki Sasaki of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sept. 24, 2025. The 23-year-old right-hander, returning after spending four months on the injured list, made his first appearance as a reliever in the Major Leagues, delivering a scoreless and hitless inning.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks

Roki Sasaki of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sept. 24, 2025. The 23-year-old right-hander, returning after spending four months on the injured list, made his first appearance as a reliever in the Major Leagues, delivering a scoreless and hitless inning.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks

Roki Sasaki (11) of the Los Angeles Dodgers is congratulated by teammates, including compatriot Shohei Ohtani, after pitching a scoreless seventh inning in a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sept. 24, 2025. The 23-year-old right-hander, returning after spending four months on the injured list, made his first appearance as a reliever in the Major Leagues, delivering a scoreless and hitless inning.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks

Roki Sasaki (R) of the Los Angeles Dodgers exchanges a fist bump with catcher Ben Rortvedt after pitching a scoreless seventh inning in a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sept. 24, 2025. The 23-year-old right-hander, returning after spending four months on the injured list, made his first appearance as a reliever in the Major Leagues, delivering a scoreless and hitless inning.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks

Roki Sasaki of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sept. 24, 2025. The 23-year-old right-hander, returning after spending four months on the injured list, made his first appearance as a reliever in the Major Leagues, delivering a scoreless and hitless inning.

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks

Baseball: Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks

Roki Sasaki of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sept. 24, 2025. The 23-year-old right-hander, returning after spending four months on the injured list, made his first appearance as a reliever in the Major Leagues, delivering a scoreless and hitless inning.