[Breaking News]Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

KOCHI, Japan, Aug. 10 Kyodo - Dancers perform during the Yosakoi dance festival on Aug. 10, 2026, in Kochi, western Japan. About 18,000 people from 197 teams plan to dance during the annual event that began in 1954, running through Aug. 12. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Military exercise in Taiwan

TAIPEI, Taiwan, Aug. 13 Kyodo - A Taiwanese soldier hides behind a motorcycle during the annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taipei in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, simulating a Chinese attack. (Kyodo)

Candle festival on Mt. Koya

Candle festival on Mt. Koya

People light candles during the annual candle festival at Okunoin cemetery on Mt. Koya in Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 13, 2026.

Candle festival on Mt. Koya

Candle festival on Mt. Koya

About 100,000 candles are lit during the annual candle festival at Okunoin cemetery on Mt. Koya in Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 13, 2026.

Military exercise in Taiwan

Military exercise in Taiwan

Taiwanese soldiers set up a barricade during the annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taipei on Aug. 12, 2026, simulating a Chinese attack.

Military exercise in Taiwan

Military exercise in Taiwan

Taiwanese soldiers set up a barricade during the annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taipei on Aug. 12, 2026, simulating a Chinese attack.

Military exercise in Taiwan

Military exercise in Taiwan

Taiwanese soldiers set up a barricade during the annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taipei on Aug. 12, 2026, simulating a Chinese attack.

Military exercise in Taiwan

Military exercise in Taiwan

A Taiwanese soldier aims a gun during the annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taipei in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, simulating a Chinese attack.

Military exercise in Taiwan

Military exercise in Taiwan

An armored vehicle takes part in the annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taipei in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, simulating a Chinese attack.

Military exercise in Taiwan

Military exercise in Taiwan

An armored vehicle takes part in the annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taipei in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, simulating a Chinese attack.

Military exercise in Taiwan

Military exercise in Taiwan

A Taiwanese soldier hides behind a motorcycle during the annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taipei in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, simulating a Chinese attack.

Military exercise in Taiwan

Military exercise in Taiwan

A Taiwanese soldier takes part in the annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taipei in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, simulating a Chinese attack.

Military exercise in Taiwan

Military exercise in Taiwan

Taiwanese soldiers run through streets during the annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taipei in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, simulating a Chinese attack.

Military exercise in Taiwan

Military exercise in Taiwan

Taiwanese soldiers run through streets during the annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taipei in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, simulating a Chinese attack.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the sky over Sado in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2026, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

[Breaking News]Annual cleaning of Great Buddha of Nara

NARA, Japan, Aug. 7 Kyodo - Monks at the Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara, sweeps dust off the Great Buddha, designated as a national treasure in Japan, on Aug. 7, 2026, in an annual cleaning event. (Kyodo)

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform during the Yosakoi dance festival on Aug. 10, 2026, in Kochi, western Japan. About 18,000 people from 197 teams plan to dance during the annual event that began in 1954, running through Aug. 12.

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform during the Yosakoi dance festival on Aug. 10, 2026, in Kochi, western Japan. About 18,000 people from 197 teams plan to dance during the annual event that began in 1954, running through Aug. 12.

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Yosakoi dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform during the Yosakoi dance festival on Aug. 10, 2026, in Kochi, western Japan. About 18,000 people from 197 teams plan to dance during the annual event that began in 1954, running through Aug. 12.

Taiwan holds drill to repel China landing

Taiwan holds drill to repel China landing

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te (C) observes an annual military exercise in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, on Aug. 8, 2026, simulating an attempted amphibious landing by Chinese forces.

Military drill in Taiwan

Military drill in Taiwan

A Taiwanese Coast Guard patrol vessel (back) and a Navy missile ship (front L), take part in an annual military exercise in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, on Aug. 8, 2026, simulating an attempted amphibious landing by Chinese forces.

Military drill in Taiwan

Military drill in Taiwan

A Taiwanese Coast Guard patrol vessel (back) and a Navy missile ship (front L), take part in an annual military exercise in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, on Aug. 8, 2026, simulating an attempted amphibious landing by Chinese forces.

US: Thousands of Rubber Ducks Fill Chicago River for Annual Ducky Derby

The Chicago River filled with thousands of rubber ducks on Thursday, August 6, as the annual Ducky Derby raised money for Special Olympics Illinois.

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha of Nara

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha of Nara

Monks at the Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara, sweeps dust off the Great Buddha, designated as a national treasure in Japan, on Aug. 7, 2026, in an annual cleaning event.

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha of Nara

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha of Nara

Monks at the Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara, sweeps dust off the Great Buddha, designated as a national treasure in Japan, on Aug. 7, 2026, in an annual cleaning event.

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha of Nara

Annual cleaning of Great Buddha of Nara

Monks at the Todai-ji temple in the western Japan city of Nara, sweeps dust off the Great Buddha, designated as a national treasure in Japan, on Aug. 7, 2026, in an annual cleaning event.

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Colorful streamers decorate a shopping arcade in Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 6, 2026, as the annual Sendai Tanabata Festival begins for a three-day run.

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Colorful streamers decorate a shopping arcade in Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 6, 2026, as the annual Sendai Tanabata Festival begins for a three-day run.

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Colorful streamers decorate a shopping arcade in Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 6, 2026, as the annual Sendai Tanabata Festival begins for a three-day run.

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Colorful streamers decorate a shopping arcade in Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 6, 2026, as the annual Sendai Tanabata Festival begins for a three-day run.

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Colorful streamers decorate a shopping arcade in Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 6, 2026, as the annual Sendai Tanabata Festival begins for a three-day run.

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Colorful streamers decorate a shopping arcade in Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 6, 2026, as the annual Sendai Tanabata Festival begins for a three-day run.

Tenjin festival in Osaka

Tenjin festival in Osaka

Local children take part in the "hokonagashi" spear-floating ritual that opens the annual Tenjin festival in Osaka, western Japan, on July 24, 2026.

Tenjin festival in Osaka

Tenjin festival in Osaka

Local children take part in the "hokonagashi" spear-floating ritual that opens the annual Tenjin festival in Osaka, western Japan, on July 24, 2026.

Tenjin festival in Osaka

Tenjin festival in Osaka

Local children take part in the "hokonagashi" spear-floating ritual that opens the annual Tenjin festival in Osaka, western Japan, on July 24, 2026.

Taiwanese president addresses party convention

Taiwanese president addresses party convention

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te makes a speech during the annual convention of his Democratic Progressive Party in Taipei on July 19, 2026.

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.

[Breaking news]Fire festival in western Japan

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan, July 15 Kyodo - White-robed men carry giant flaming torches during an annual fire festival at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on July 14, 2026. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival in Fukuoka

FUKUOKA, Japan, July 15 Kyodo - A "yamakasa" decorated float is carried 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. (Kyodo)

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.