M7.7 quake jolts northeastern, northern Japan

HACHINOHE, Japan, April 21 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News plane on April 20, 2026, shows a night view of the coastal city of Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, following the issuance of a tsunami warning after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake jolted northeastern and northern Japan. (Kyodo)

Cherry blossoms in northeastern Japan

AOMORI, Japan, April 17 Kyodo - Cherry blossoms are lit up at Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 15, 2026. (Kyodo)

F-35A stealth fighters deployed at U.S base in Aomori Pref.

F-35A stealth fighters deployed at U.S base in Aomori Pref.

Photo taken on April 24, 2026, shows an F-35A stealth fighter jet deployed at the U.S. Air Force's base in Misawa in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan.

F-35A stealth fighters deployed at U.S base in Aomori Pref.

F-35A stealth fighters deployed at U.S base in Aomori Pref.

A ceremony marking the deployment of F-35A stealth fighter jets is held at the U.S. Air Force's base in Misawa in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 24, 2026.

Japan: Shaking Felt in Tokyo as Powerful 7.7 Earthquake Strikes Sanriku Coast

Shaking was felt as far as Saitama Prefecture and Tokyo as a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region on Monday, April 20, with tsunami warnings issued for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Photo shows a building with damaged tiles in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture on April 21, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake struck the northeastern Japan region.

M7.7 quake jolts northeastern, northern Japan

M7.7 quake jolts northeastern, northern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News plane on April 20, 2026, shows a night view of the coastal city of Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, following the issuance of a tsunami warning after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake jolted northeastern and northern Japan.

Japan: Passenger Captures Moment Bullet Train Grinds to Halt as Powerful Earthquake Hits 2

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate. The footage was shot on a Shinkansen bullet train bound for Tokyo between Ichinoseki Station and Kurikoma-Kogen Station.

Japan: Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake Hits Tohoku, Tsunami Warning Issued 7

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate. The footage captures the moment an earthquake alert sounds, as rails hum and vibrate and overhead wires sway in the tremor in Hakodate, Hokkaido.

Japan: Passenger Captures Moment Bullet Train Grinds to Halt as Powerful Earthquake Hits

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region on Monday, April 20, with tsunami warnings of up to three meters issued for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate. This video shows the moment a Shinkansen bullet train makes an emergency stop in Miyagi Prefecture as the earthquake struck.

Japan: Shoppers Evacuate to Rooftop Amid Tsunami Warnings Following Major Earthquake

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate. The footage captures people at a shopping mall in Hachinohe evacuating to the rooftop amid tsunami warnings.

Japan: Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake Hits Tohoku, Tsunami Warning Issued 8

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate. The footage was shot in the food court of the CiiNA CiiNA Aomori shopping center in Aomori City.

Japan: Sirens Blare as Tsunami Warning Issued After Powerful Earthquake 2

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.

Japan: Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake Hits Tohoku, Tsunami Warning Issued 2

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.

Japan: Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake Hits Tohoku, Tsunami Warning Issued 4

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.

Japan: Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake Hits Tohoku, Tsunami Warning Issued 3

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.

Japan: Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake Hits Tohoku, Tsunami Warning Issued 6

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.

Japan: Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake Hits Tohoku, Tsunami Warning Issued 5

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.

Japan: Sirens Blare as Tsunami Warning Issued After Powerful Earthquake

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.

Japan: Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake Hits Tohoku, Tsunami Warning Issued

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast in the Tohoku region Monday afternoon, April 20, triggering a tsunami warning of up to three meters for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.

Cherry blossoms in northeastern Japan

Cherry blossoms in northeastern Japan

Cherry blossoms are in bloom at Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 15, 2026.

Cherry blossoms in northeastern Japan

Cherry blossoms in northeastern Japan

Cherry blossoms are lit up at Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 15, 2026.

Cherry blossoms in northeastern Japan

Cherry blossoms in northeastern Japan

Cherry blossoms are lit up at Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 15, 2026.

Cherry blossoms in northeastern Japan

Cherry blossoms in northeastern Japan

Cherry blossoms are lit up at Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 15, 2026.

Cherry blossoms in northeastern Japan

Cherry blossoms in northeastern Japan

Cherry blossoms are lit up at Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 15, 2026.

Cherry blossoms in northeastern Japan

Cherry blossoms in northeastern Japan

Cherry blossoms are lit up at Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 15, 2026.

4 unconscious after vessels collide off northeastern Japan

4 unconscious after vessels collide off northeastern Japan

An ambulance arrives at a port in Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture on March 17, 2026, after a fishing vessel with 13 aboard capsized following a collision with a cargo ship about 20 kilometers off the northeastern Japan prefecture. All 13 were rescued, with four left unconscious.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

People walk after visiting a polling station for the House of Representatives election in the northeastern Japan city of Aomori on Feb. 8, 2026.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

People walk after visiting a polling station for the House of Representatives election in the northeastern Japan city of Aomori on Feb. 8, 2026.

[Breaking News]Campaigning for general election in Japan

HIROSAKI, Japan, Jan. 28 Kyodo - Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda waves his hand in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026, as official campaigning began across Japan the same day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8. (Kyodo)

Japan: Heavy Snow Paralyzes Aomori as Record Accumulation Piles Up

A series of strong cold air masses brought heavy snowfall to northern Japan from January 21 through February 2. According to authorities, a total of 30 people have died across the region since January 20 due to snow-related incidents. In Aomori City, numerous vehicles were left stranded by the snow, causing traffic congestion in many areas. Snow accumulation reached 178 centimeters on February 2—about 2.6 times the seasonal average—prompting the closure of all public elementary and junior high schools in the city.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

A candidate waves to people gathering to listen to a stump speech in snowy Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Feb. 2, 2026, ahead of the House of Representatives election on Feb 8.

Heavy snow in Aomori

Heavy snow in Aomori

People remove snow near a house in Aomori, northeastern Japan, on Feb. 2, 2026, as heavy snow continues to hit the region.

Heavy snow in Aomori

Heavy snow in Aomori

People remove snow near a house in Aomori, northeastern Japan, on Feb. 2, 2026, as heavy snow continues to hit the region.

Japan: Record January Snowfall Hits Aomori, Disrupting Traffic and Trains

On January 28, Aomori City recorded 150 centimeters of snowfall for the first time in 40 years, causing traffic congestion across the city and a series of train service suspensions. Snow depth reached 154 centimeters by 9 p.m., tying for the second-highest January total on record, last seen on January 30, 1986. According to Aomori Prefecture, as of 2 p.m. on January 29, two people had died and 85 others were injured, while damage was confirmed at four residential properties. The video captures conditions in Aomori City on the morning of January 29, showing the extent of the heavy snowfall.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda makes a stump speech in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026, as official campaigning begins across Japan for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda makes a stump speech in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026, as official campaigning begins across Japan for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda makes a stump speech in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026, as official campaigning begins across Japan for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda makes a stump speech in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026, as official campaigning begins across Japan for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda makes a stump speech in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026, as official campaigning begins across Japan the same day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda (C) waves his hand in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026, as official campaigning began across Japan the same day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda is pictured in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026. He delivered a stump speech there as official campaigning began across Japan for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Voters undergo security checks before listening to a stump speech in Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026, the first day of official campaigning for the Feb. 8 House of Representatives election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

People listen to a stump speech in Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026, as official campaigning begins across Japan for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

People listen to a stump speech in Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026, as official campaigning begins across Japan for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda makes a stump speech in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026, as official campaigning begins across Japan for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda makes a stump speech in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026, as official campaigning begins across the country for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda makes a stump speech in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Jan. 27, 2026, as official campaigning begins across the country for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8

Japan: Strongest Cold Wave of Season Brings Heavy Snow to Wide Areas

A cold wave described as the strongest of the season has brought heavy snowfall to wide areas of Japan, particularly along the Sea of Japan coast. The snow is expected to persist through around Sunday, January 25.

New Year tuna auction in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 5 Kyodo - Video taken on Jan. 5, 2026, shows a 243-kilogram bluefin tuna caught off Oma in Aomori Prefecture that fetched 510.3 million yen ($3.25 million) at the year's first tuna auction at Tokyo's Toyosu market. (Kyodo)