Search｜Photos & Images & Videos｜KYODO NEWS IMAGES INC

Japan: Baby Macaque “Punch” Wins Hearts After Finding Comfort in Plush Surrogacy 2

A six-month-old Japanese macaque named Punch at Ichikawa City Zoo has gained attention in Japan and abroad. After being rejected by his first-time mother, he was hand-raised by staff and often clung to an orangutan plush toy as a surrogate comfort, touching many hearts. Even after rejoining the troop, he kept the toy for a while, but he is gradually bonding with other monkeys and growing stronger. On social media, the hashtag “#GoPunch” has spread, with visitors continuing to cheer him on.

E

Japan team back home after Milan Cortina Olympics

Japan's Ami Nakai arrives at Narita airport in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Feb. 24, 2026, after winning bronze in the women's figure skating at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

E

Japan team back home after Milan Cortina Olympics

Japan's Ami Nakai (front) arrives at Narita airport in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Feb. 24, 2026, after winning bronze in the women's figure skating at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

E

Japan team back home after Milan Cortina Olympics

Japan's Ami Nakai (front) arrives at Narita airport in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Feb. 24, 2026, after winning bronze in the women's figure skating at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

E

Japan team back home after Milan Cortina Olympics

Japan's Yuma Kagiyama (front) arrives at Narita airport in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Feb. 24, 2026, after winning silver in the men's figure skating at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

E

Japan: Baby Macaque “Punch” Wins Hearts After Finding Comfort in Plush Surrogacy

A six-month-old Japanese macaque named Punch at Ichikawa City Zoo has gained attention in Japan and abroad. After being rejected by his first-time mother, he was hand-raised by staff and often clung to an orangutan plush toy as a surrogate comfort, touching many hearts. Even after rejoining the troop, he kept the toy for a while, but he is gradually bonding with other monkeys and growing stronger. On social media, the hashtag “#GoPunch” has spread, with visitors continuing to cheer him on.

E

Figure skating: Miura and Kihara

Japanese figure skaters Riku Miura (L) and Ryuichi Kihara arrive at Narita airport in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Feb. 24, 2026, after winning gold in the pairs event at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

E

Figure skating: Miura and Kihara

Japanese figure skaters Riku Miura (L) and Ryuichi Kihara arrive at Narita airport in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Feb. 24, 2026, after winning gold in the pairs event at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

E

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Combined photo shows Japanese figure skaters (from top to bottom) Kaori Sakamoto, Ami Nakai and Mone Chiba performing during the free program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026, en route to finishing second, third and fourth, respectively, in the women's figure skating event.

E

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Mone Chiba of Japan is pictured after performing in the women's figure skating free program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026.

E

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Mone Chiba of Japan is pictured after performing in the women's figure skating free program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026.

E

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Mone Chiba of Japan is pictured after performing in the women's figure skating free program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026.

E

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Mone Chiba of Japan is pictured after performing in the women's figure skating free program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026.

E

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Mone Chiba of Japan is pictured after performing in the women's figure skating free program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026.

E

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Mone Chiba of Japan is pictured after performing in the women's figure skating free program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026.

E

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Mone Chiba of Japan is pictured after performing in the women's figure skating free program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026.

E

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Mone Chiba of Japan is pictured after performing in the women's figure skating free program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026.

E

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Mone Chiba of Japan is pictured after performing in the women's figure skating free program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026.

E

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Mone Chiba of Japan acknowledges the crowd after performing in the women's figure skating free program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026.

E

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Mone Chiba of Japan strikes a finishing pose in the women's figure skating free program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026.

E

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Mone Chiba of Japan acknowledges the crowd after performing in the women's figure skating free program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026.

E

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Mone Chiba of Japan acknowledges the crowd after performing in the women's figure skating free program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026.

E

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Mone Chiba of Japan strikes a finishing pose in the women's figure skating free program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026.

E