Velo D'or Award Ceremony - Paris

Velo D'or Award Ceremony - Paris

President of the Amaury Sport Organisation ASO Jean-Etienne Amaury with his wife during the Velo d'Or award ceremony at the Pavillon Gabriel on December 5, 2025 in Paris, France. Photo by Victor Joly/ABACAPRESS.COM

Velo D'or Award Ceremony - Paris

Velo D'or Award Ceremony - Paris

President of the Amaury Sport Organisation ASO Jean-Etienne Amaury with his wife during the Velo d'Or award ceremony at the Pavillon Gabriel on December 5, 2025 in Paris, France. Photo by Victor Joly/ABACAPRESS.COM

Velo D'or Award Ceremony - Paris

Velo D'or Award Ceremony - Paris

President of the Amaury Sport Organisation ASO Jean-Etienne Amaury with his wife during the Velo d'Or award ceremony at the Pavillon Gabriel on December 5, 2025 in Paris, France. Photo by Victor Joly/ABACAPRESS.COM

Velo D'or Award Ceremony - Paris

Velo D'or Award Ceremony - Paris

President of the Amaury Sport Organisation ASO Jean-Etienne Amaury with his wife during the Velo d'Or award ceremony at the Pavillon Gabriel on December 5, 2025 in Paris, France. Photo by Victor Joly/ABACAPRESS.COM

LDP Vice President Aso

LDP Vice President Aso

Taro Aso, vice president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Nov. 27, 2025.

LDP Vice President Aso

LDP Vice President Aso

Taro Aso (L), vice president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Nov. 27, 2025.

LDP Vice President Aso

LDP Vice President Aso

Taro Aso (L), vice president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Nov. 27, 2025.

Japan: Strong Earthquake Hits Kumamoto

A strong earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture at around 6:01 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25, registering a maximum intensity of 5+ on the Japanese seismic scale. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the epicenter was in the Aso region of Kumamoto Prefecture, at a depth of approximately 10 km. The quake is estimated to have had a magnitude of 5.7. A video shows a ceiling light shaking in neighboring Saga Prefecture.

Japan: Strong Earthquake Hits Kumamoto 2

A strong earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture at around 6:01 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25, registering a maximum intensity of 5+ on the Japanese seismic scale. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the epicenter was in the Aso region of Kumamoto Prefecture, at a depth of approximately 10 km. The quake is estimated to have had a magnitude of 5.7. A video shows overhead wires shaking at Kumamoto Station right after the earthquake.

Parliamentary election to choose Japan's next PM

Parliamentary election to choose Japan's next PM

Liberal Democratic Party Vice President Taro Aso (C) casts a vote in an election to choose Japan's next prime minister during a House of Representatives plenary session in Tokyo on Oct. 21, 2025, after the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned en masse earlier in the day.

Executives of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party

TOKYO, Japan, Oct. 7 Kyodo - New executives of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party --election strategy chief Keiji Furuya, General Council chair Haruko Arimura, Vice President Taro Aso, President Sanae Takaichi, Secretary General Shunichi Suzuki and policy council chief Takayuki Kobayashi -- pose for a photo at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Oct. 7, 2025.(Kyodo)

Executives of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party

Executives of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party

New executives of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party -- (from L) election strategy chief Keiji Furuya, General Council chair Haruko Arimura, Vice President Taro Aso, President Sanae Takaichi, Secretary General Shunichi Suzuki and policy council chief Takayuki Kobayashi -- pose for a photo at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Oct. 7, 2025.

New LDP President Takaichi

New LDP President Takaichi

New Japanese Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Oct. 5, 2025, after holding talks with former Prime Minister Taro Aso.

New LDP President Takaichi

New LDP President Takaichi

New Japanese Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Oct. 5, 2025, after holding talks with former Prime Minister Taro Aso.

New LDP President Takaichi

New LDP President Takaichi

New Japanese Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi (C) meets the press at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Oct. 5, 2025, after holding talks with former Prime Minister Taro Aso.

Ex-Japan PM Aso

Ex-Japan PM Aso

Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, currently serving as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's supreme advisor, speaks at a meeting of his intraparty faction on Sept. 3, 2025, in Yokohama, near Tokyo.

Ex-Japan PM Aso

Ex-Japan PM Aso

Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, currently serving as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's supreme advisor, speaks at a meeting of his intraparty faction on Sept. 3, 2025, in Yokohama, near Tokyo.

Ex-Japan PM Aso

Ex-Japan PM Aso

Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, currently serving as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's supreme advisor, speaks at a meeting of his intraparty faction on Sept. 3, 2025, in Yokohama, near Tokyo.

Ex-Japan PM Aso

Ex-Japan PM Aso

Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, currently serving as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's supreme advisor, speaks at a meeting of his intraparty faction on Sept. 3, 2025, in Yokohama, near Tokyo.

Ex-Japan PM Aso

Ex-Japan PM Aso

Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, currently serving as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's supreme advisor, speaks at a meeting of his intraparty faction on Sept. 3, 2025, in Yokohama, near Tokyo.

Japan PM Ishiba

Japan PM Ishiba

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, speaks to reporters after a meeting with former prime ministers Taro Aso, Yoshihide Suga and Fumio Kishida at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo on July 23, 2025.

Japan PM Ishiba

Japan PM Ishiba

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, speaks to reporters after a meeting with former prime ministers Taro Aso, Yoshihide Suga and Fumio Kishida at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo on July 23, 2025.

CORRECTED: Japan ex-PM Aso

CORRECTED: Japan ex-PM Aso

Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso heads for a meeting with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, and other party executives at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo on July 23, 2025.

9th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

9th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

Photo taken on April 15, 2025, shows Aso Ohashi bridge in Minamiaso, southwestern Japan, which collapsed in a landslide triggered by a pair of massive earthquakes that hit Kumamoto Prefecture in April 2016. The bridge is preserved as a reminder of the disaster.

9th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

9th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

Photo taken on April 15, 2025, shows Aso Ohashi bridge in Minamiaso, southwestern Japan, which collapsed in a landslide triggered by a pair of massive earthquakes that hit Kumamoto Prefecture in April 2016. The bridge is preserved as a reminder of the disaster.

Controlled grassland burn on Mt. Aso

Controlled grassland burn on Mt. Aso

Photo taken on Feb. 22, 2025, shows a controlled burn at tourist spot Kusasenri grasslands on Mt. Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

Controlled grassland burn on Mt. Aso

Controlled grassland burn on Mt. Aso

Photo taken on Feb. 22, 2025, shows a controlled burn at tourist spot Kusasenri grasslands on Mt. Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

Controlled grassland burn on Mt. Aso

Controlled grassland burn on Mt. Aso

Photo taken on Feb. 22, 2025, shows a controlled burn at tourist spot Kusasenri grasslands on Mt. Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

Japan PM Ishiba and ex-PM Aso

Japan PM Ishiba and ex-PM Aso

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (R) who heads the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, and former prime minister Taro Aso, who is the party's supreme adviser, shake hands at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Oct. 9, 2024. Ishiba dissolved the lower house earlier in the day for a general election.

Ex-PM Aso calls Taiwan important "country" for Japan in ceremony

Ex-PM Aso calls Taiwan important "country" for Japan in ceremony

Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso addresses a ceremony in Tokyo on Oct. 8, 2024, at which he described Taiwan as an important "country" for Japan.

Parliamentary election to choose Japan's next PM

Parliamentary election to choose Japan's next PM

Former Prime Minister Taro Aso casts a vote in an election to choose Japan's next prime minister during a House of Representatives plenary session in Tokyo on Oct. 1, 2024, after the Cabinet of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida resigned en masse earlier in the day.

Japan ruling party vice president Aso

Japan ruling party vice president Aso

Taro Aso, vice president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, arrives at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Sept. 30, 2024.

Japan ruling party vice president Aso

Japan ruling party vice president Aso

Taro Aso, vice president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, arrives at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Sept. 30, 2024.

Harvest moon

Harvest moon

A harvest moon is seen through Japanese silver grass in Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Sept. 17, 2024.

Harvest moon

Harvest moon

A harvest moon is seen through Japanese silver grass in Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Sept. 17, 2024.

Meeting of LDP executives

Meeting of LDP executives

Japanese Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party President Fumio Kishida (C), LDP Vice President Taro Aso (R) and LDP Secretary General Toshimitsu Motegi attend a meeting of the ruling party's executives at its headquarters in Tokyo on Aug. 20, 2024, ahead of the LDP's leadership election in September.

Japan ruling party vice president Aso

Japan ruling party vice president Aso

Taro Aso, vice president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, heads for a meeting with Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an at the party's head office in Tokyo on May 15, 2024.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an in Tokyo

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an in Tokyo

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an is pictured at Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party's head office in Tokyo on May 15, 2024, prior to his meeting with the party's vice president Taro Aso.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an in Tokyo

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an in Tokyo

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an meets the media at Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party's head office in Tokyo on May 15, 2024, following his meeting with the party's vice president Taro Aso.

(SP)INDONESIA-BALI-FOOTBALL-AFC U17 WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP-JPN VS CHN

(SP)INDONESIA-BALI-FOOTBALL-AFC U17 WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP-JPN VS CHN

(240513) -- BALI, May 13, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Zhang Jie (L) of China vies with Aso Tamami of Japan during the Group B match of the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup 2024 between Japan and China in Bali, Indonesia, May 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Agung Kuncahya B.)

Ex-Japan PM Aso in New York

Ex-Japan PM Aso in New York

Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso (L), vice president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, returns to his hotel in New York on April 23, 2024, after meeting with Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Ex-Japan PM Aso in New York

Ex-Japan PM Aso in New York

Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso (2nd from L), vice president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, comes out of Trump Tower in New York on April 23, 2024, after meeting with Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Controlled grassland burning at Mt. Aso

ASO, Japan, March 9 Kyodo - Video taken on March 9, 2024, shows a controlled burn at tourist spot Kusasenri grasslands on Mt. Aso in Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, in an event heralding the arrival of spring. (Kyodo)

Controlled grassland burning at Mt. Aso

Controlled grassland burning at Mt. Aso

Photo taken on March 9, 2024, shows a controlled burn at tourist spot Kusasenri grasslands on Mt. Aso in Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, in an event heralding the arrival of spring.

Controlled grassland burning at Mt. Aso

Controlled grassland burning at Mt. Aso

Photo taken on March 9, 2024, shows a controlled burn at tourist spot Kusasenri grasslands on Mt. Aso in Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, in an event heralding the arrival of spring.

Controlled grassland burning at Mt. Aso

Controlled grassland burning at Mt. Aso

Photo taken on March 9, 2024, shows a controlled burn at tourist spot Kusasenri grasslands on Mt. Aso in Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, in an event heralding the arrival of spring.

Vice LDP President Aso

Vice LDP President Aso

Taro Aso, vice president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, makes a speech in Ashiya in Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2024.

Taro Aso, vice president of Japan's ruling party

Taro Aso, vice president of Japan's ruling party

Taro Aso, vice president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, gives a speech at an event in Washington on Jan. 10, 2024, organized by the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, a U.S. think tank.

Taro Aso, vice president of Japan's ruling party

Taro Aso, vice president of Japan's ruling party

Taro Aso, vice president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, gives a speech at an event in Washington on Jan. 10, 2024, organized by the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, a U.S. think tank.

Taro Aso, vice president of Japan's ruling party

Taro Aso, vice president of Japan's ruling party

Taro Aso, vice president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, gives a speech at an event in Washington on Jan. 10, 2024, organized by the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, a U.S. think tank.