Flower garden in Hokkaido

Flower garden in Hokkaido

About 350,000 flowers in 15 kinds including sunflowers and marigolds are in full bloom at the Shikisai-no-oka flower garden in Biei, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Aug. 24, 2026.

Flower garden in Hokkaido

Flower garden in Hokkaido

About 350,000 flowers in 15 kinds including sunflowers and marigolds are in full bloom at the Shikisai-no-oka flower garden in Biei, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Aug. 24, 2026.

Flower garden in Hokkaido

Flower garden in Hokkaido

About 350,000 flowers in 15 kinds including sunflowers and marigolds are in full bloom at the Shikisai-no-oka flower garden in Biei, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Aug. 24, 2026.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

Photo shows abandoned vehicles on an inundated road in Sakura, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Aug. 15, 2026, following torrential rain on Aug. 13.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

CHIBA, Japan, Aug. 17 Kyodo - Police officers search for missing persons near a swollen river in Chiba on Aug. 15, 2026, following the torrential rain that hit the eastern Japan prefecture on Aug. 13. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

TOKYO, Japan, Aug. 18 Kyodo - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi walks past Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako after delivering her speech at a memorial ceremony for the war dead at Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Yasukuni shrine on 81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

TOKYO, Japan, Aug. 18 Kyodo - Sohei Kamiya, head of the opposition Sanseito party, meets the press during a visit to Tokyo's war-linked Yasukuni shrine on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. (Kyodo)

F-15 fighter stranded at Okinawa airport

F-15 fighter stranded at Okinawa airport

Photo taken on Aug. 18, 2026, shows a stranded Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15 fighter jet on a runway of Naha Airport in Naha in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa. The left main landing gear was found broken after the F-15 became immobilized following landing, leaving the runway, one of the two at the airport, closed. No one was injured in the incident.

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Members of the Japan team take the floor for their three hoops and two pairs of clubs routine in the group all-around event at the rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Frankfurt on Aug. 15, 2026.

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Members of Japan's team celebrate on the podium after winning silver in the group all-around event at the rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Frankfurt on Aug. 15, 2026.

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Members of Japan's team pose on the podium after winning silver in the group all-around event at the rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Frankfurt on Aug. 15, 2026.

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Members of Japan's team perform their five balls routine in the group all-around event at the rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Frankfurt on Aug. 15, 2026.

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Members of Japan's team perform their three hoops and two pairs of clubs routine in the group all-around event at the rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Frankfurt on Aug. 15, 2026.

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Members of Japan's team perform their three hoops and two pairs of clubs routine in the group all-around event at the rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Frankfurt on Aug. 15, 2026.

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Members of Japan's team perform their three hoops and two pairs of clubs routine in the group all-around event at the rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Frankfurt on Aug. 15, 2026.

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Members of Japan's team perform their five balls routine in the group all-around event at the rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Frankfurt on Aug. 15, 2026.

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Members of Japan's team perform their three hoops and two pairs of clubs routine in the group all-around event at the rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Frankfurt on Aug. 15, 2026.

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Members of Japan's team pose for a photo after winning silver in the group all-around event at the rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Frankfurt on Aug. 15, 2026.

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Members of Japan's team wave from the podium after winning silver in the group all-around event at the rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Frankfurt on Aug. 15, 2026.

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

(From L) Members of Japan's silver medal-winning team, Spain's gold medal-winning team and Brazil's bronze medal-winning team are pictured on the podium during the medal ceremony for the group all-around event at the rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Frankfurt on Aug. 15, 2026.

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

(From L) Members of Japan's silver medal-winning team, Spain's gold medal-winning team and Brazil's bronze medal-winning team are pictured on the podium during the medal ceremony for the group all-around event at the rhythmic gymnastics world championships in Frankfurt on Aug. 15, 2026.

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Rhythmic gymnastics: World championships

Russian team members perform their ball routine in the group all-around event at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Frankfurt on Aug. 15, 2026.

Yasukuni shrine on 81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

Yasukuni shrine on 81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

Shunichi Suzuki (C), secretary general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, visits Tokyo's war-linked Yasukuni shrine on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

Yasukuni shrine on 81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

Yasukuni shrine on 81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

Sohei Kamiya, head of the opposition Sanseito party, meets the press during a visit to Tokyo's war-linked Yasukuni shrine on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

File photo shows Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

File photo shows Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

File photo shows Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

File photo shows Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

File photo shows Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

File photo shows Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

File photo shows Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

File photo shows Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

File photo shows Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) walks past Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako after delivering her speech at a memorial ceremony for the war dead at Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) walks past Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako after delivering her speech at a memorial ceremony for the war dead at Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) walks past Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako after delivering her speech at a memorial ceremony for the war dead at Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) walks past Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako after delivering her speech at a memorial ceremony for the war dead at Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

Baseball: White Sox vs. Tigers

Baseball: White Sox vs. Tigers

Munetaka Murakami (5) of the Chicago White Sox celebrates his team's run with teammates in the third inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Aug. 15, 2026.

Baseball: White Sox vs. Tigers

Baseball: White Sox vs. Tigers

Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox heads to third base on a single by teammate Andrew Benintendi in the third inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Aug. 15, 2026.

Baseball: White Sox vs. Tigers

Baseball: White Sox vs. Tigers

Munetaka Murakami (5) of the Chicago White Sox reacts after the team's victory over the Detroit Tigers in a baseball game at Comerica Park in Detroit on Aug. 15, 2026.

Baseball: White Sox vs. Tigers

Baseball: White Sox vs. Tigers

Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox tagged out at home by Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (R) in the third inning of a baseball game at Comerica Park in Detroit on Aug. 15, 2026.

Baseball: White Sox vs. Tigers

Baseball: White Sox vs. Tigers

Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox heads for second base after hitting a double in the third inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Aug. 15, 2026.

Baseball: White Sox vs. Tigers

Baseball: White Sox vs. Tigers

Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox hits a double in the third inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Aug. 15, 2026.

Baseball: White Sox vs. Tigers

Baseball: White Sox vs. Tigers

Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox hits a double in the third inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Aug. 15, 2026.

Baseball: White Sox vs. Tigers

Baseball: White Sox vs. Tigers

Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox hits a double in the third inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Aug. 15, 2026.

Baseball: White Sox vs. Tigers

Baseball: White Sox vs. Tigers

Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox hits a double in the third inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Aug. 15, 2026.

Baseball: Brewers vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Brewers vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani strikes out swinging in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Aug. 15, 2026.

Baseball: Brewers vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Brewers vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani strikes out swinging in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Aug. 15, 2026.

Baseball: Brewers vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Brewers vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (L) watches from the dugout during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Aug. 15, 2026.

Baseball: Brewers vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Brewers vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (L) watches from the dugout during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Aug. 15, 2026.