Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

People visit a square facing the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. Japan enacted the revised Imperial House Law the same day, permitting the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and allowing female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

People visit a square facing the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. Japan enacted the revised Imperial House Law the same day, permitting the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and allowing female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

People visit a square facing the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. Japan enacted the revised Imperial House Law the same day, permitting the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and allowing female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Protests in Ukraine

Protests in Ukraine

People gather in Kyiv on July 16, 2026, to protest Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to dismiss Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

Protests in Ukraine

Protests in Ukraine

People gather in Kyiv on July 16, 2026, to protest Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to dismiss Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

Protest against Japan PM Takaichi

Protest against Japan PM Takaichi

People protest against the administration of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on July 16, 2026, ahead of parliament's enactment of a law introducing criminal penalties for desecrating the national flag, a key legislative goal of the prime minister.

Protest against Japan PM Takaichi

Protest against Japan PM Takaichi

People protest against the administration of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on July 16, 2026, ahead of parliament's enactment of a law introducing criminal penalties for desecrating the national flag, a key legislative goal of the prime minister.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (standing) speaks to Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the opposition Democratic Party for the People, during one-on-one debates with opposition party leaders in parliament in Tokyo on July 15, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (standing) speaks to Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the opposition Democratic Party for the People, during one-on-one debates with opposition party leaders in parliament in Tokyo on July 15, 2026.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

People run while carrying a "yamakasa" decorated float along a 5-kilometer course during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in the early morning of July 15, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

People run while carrying a "yamakasa" decorated float along a 5-kilometer course during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in the early morning of July 15, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

People run while carrying a "yamakasa" decorated float along a 5-kilometer course during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in the early morning of July 15, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

People run while carrying a "yamakasa" decorated float along a 5-kilometer course during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in the early morning of July 15, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People stroll by a decorated float illuminated by lanterns in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 14, 2026, ahead of a parade three days later, a highlight of the month-long Gion Festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People stroll by a decorated float illuminated by lanterns in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 14, 2026, ahead of a parade three days later, a highlight of the month-long Gion Festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People stroll by a decorated float illuminated by lanterns in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 14, 2026, ahead of a parade three days later, a highlight of the month-long Gion Festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People stroll by a decorated float illuminated by lanterns in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 14, 2026, ahead of a parade three days later, a highlight of the month-long Gion Festival.

Lavender fields in northern Japan

Lavender fields in northern Japan

People take photos as they stroll through lavender fields at a farm in Nakafurano, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 13, 2026.

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

People carry a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 13, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

People run while carrying a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 13, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

People carry a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 13, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

People carry a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 13, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

People carry a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 13, 2026, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Japan festival opens in Sao Paulo

Japan festival opens in Sao Paulo

A festival featuring Japanese cuisine, anime, games and music as well as industrial goods opens in Sao Paulo on July 10, 2026. About 200,000 people are expected to visit the three-day Festival do Japao, according to organizers.

Japan festival opens in Sao Paulo

Japan festival opens in Sao Paulo

A festival featuring Japanese cuisine, anime, games and music as well as industrial goods opens in Sao Paulo on July 10, 2026. About 200,000 people are expected to visit the three-day Festival do Japao, according to organizers.

Japan festival opens in Sao Paulo

Japan festival opens in Sao Paulo

A festival featuring Japanese cuisine, anime, games and music as well as industrial goods opens in Sao Paulo on July 10, 2026. About 200,000 people are expected to visit the three-day Festival do Japao, according to organizers.

Crown Princess Kiko attends blood donation event

Crown Princess Kiko attends blood donation event

Japan's Crown Princess Kiko chats with people awarded for contributing to blood donation promotion after the award ceremony in Yonago in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on July 10, 2026.

Crown Princess Kiko attends blood donation event

Crown Princess Kiko attends blood donation event

Japan's Crown Princess Kiko chats with people awarded for contributing to blood donation promotion after the award ceremony in Yonago in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on July 10, 2026.

Crown Princess Kiko visits facility for disabled in western Japan

Crown Princess Kiko visits facility for disabled in western Japan

Japan's Crown Princess Kiko (L) visits a facility run by a nonprofit organization for disabled people in Hoki in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2026. (Pool photo)

Crown Princess Kiko visits facility for disabled in western Japan

Crown Princess Kiko visits facility for disabled in western Japan

Japan's Crown Princess Kiko (back, L) visits a facility run by a nonprofit organization for disabled people in Hoki in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2026. (Pool photo)

Crown Princess Kiko visits facility for disabled in western Japan

Crown Princess Kiko visits facility for disabled in western Japan

Japan's Crown Princess Kiko (back, L) visits a facility run by a nonprofit organization for disabled people in Hoki in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2026. (Pool photo)

Crown Princess Kiko visits facility for disabled in western Japan

Crown Princess Kiko visits facility for disabled in western Japan

Japan's Crown Princess Kiko (L) visits a facility run by a nonprofit organization for disabled people in Hoki in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on July 9, 2026. (Pool photo)

U.S. marks 250 yrs of independence

U.S. marks 250 yrs of independence

People watch fireworks in Washington in the small hours of July 5, 2026, a day after the 250th anniversary of American independence.

U.S. marks 250 yrs of independence

U.S. marks 250 yrs of independence

People celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence on July 4, 2026, in Philadelphia -- known as the site of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

U.S. marks 250 yrs of independence

U.S. marks 250 yrs of independence

People celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence on July 4, 2026, in Philadelphia -- known as the site of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

U.S. marks 250 yrs of independence

U.S. marks 250 yrs of independence

People who oppose U.S. President Donald Trump's policies rally in Philadelphia -- known as the site of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 -- on July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of American independence.

U.S. marks 250 yrs of independence

U.S. marks 250 yrs of independence

People who oppose U.S. President Donald Trump's policies rally in Philadelphia -- known as the site of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 -- on July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of American independence.

U.S. marks 250 yrs of independence

U.S. marks 250 yrs of independence

People who oppose U.S. President Donald Trump's policies rally in Philadelphia -- known as the site of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 -- on July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of American independence.

U.S. marks 250 yrs of independence

U.S. marks 250 yrs of independence

People dance while waving U.S. flags in central Washington in celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence on July 4, 2026.

Lantern festival in central Japan town

Lantern festival in central Japan town

People carry giant lantern floats called kiriko on the opening day of the two-day Abare festival, dating back to the Edo era (1603-1868), in Noto in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa on July 3, 2026.

Japanese Princess Kako visit school for blind

Japanese Princess Kako visit school for blind

Japanese Princess Kako (back, L) plays tambourine during a visit to a school for blind people in Yokohama near Tokyo on July 3, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japanese Princess Kako visit school for blind

Japanese Princess Kako visit school for blind

Japanese Princess Kako visits a school for blind people in Yokohama near Tokyo on July 3, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japanese Princess Kako visit school for blind

Japanese Princess Kako visit school for blind

Japanese Princess Kako (C) visits a school for blind people in Yokohama near Tokyo on July 3, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japanese Princess Kako visit school for blind

Japanese Princess Kako visit school for blind

Japanese Princess Kako (C) visits a school for blind people in Yokohama near Tokyo on July 3, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japanese Princess Kako visit school for blind

Japanese Princess Kako visit school for blind

Japanese Princess Kako (back, L) visits a school for blind people in Yokohama near Tokyo on July 3, 2026. (Pool photo)