Emperor meets with disabled awardees

Emperor meets with disabled awardees

Japanese Emperor Naruhito, accompanied by Empress Masako, speaks in front of disabled people at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Dec. 12, 2025, after they received awards from the health minister for their contribution to society. (Pool photo)

Emperor meets with disabled awardees

Emperor meets with disabled awardees

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R) and Empress Masako meet with disabled people at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Dec. 12, 2025, after they received awards from the health minister for their contribution to society. (Pool photo)

Emperor meets with disabled awardees

Emperor meets with disabled awardees

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (3rd from R) and Empress Masako meet with disabled people at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Dec. 12, 2025, after they received awards from the health minister for their contribution to society. (Pool photo)

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Rise Kudo of Japan poses after winning silver in the women's halfpipe at the World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou, China, on Dec. 12, 2025.

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Rise Kudo of Japan performs en route to winning silver in the women's halfpipe at the World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou, China, on Dec. 12, 2025.

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Rise Kudo of Japan poses after winning silver in the women's halfpipe at the World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou, China, on Dec. 12, 2025.

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Rise Kudo of Japan performs en route to winning silver in the women's halfpipe at the World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou, China, on Dec. 12, 2025.

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Ayumu Hirano (C) of Japan celebrates after winning gold in the men's halfpipe at the World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou, China, on Dec. 12, 2025, alongside compatriots Yuto Totsuka (L) and Ruka Hirano, who won silver and bronze, respectively.

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Ayumu Hirano (C) of Japan celebrates after winning gold in the men's halfpipe at the World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou, China, on Dec. 12, 2025, alongside compatriots Yuto Totsuka (L) and Ruka Hirano, who won silver and bronze, respectively.

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Ayumu Hirano of Japan poses after winning gold in the men's halfpipe at the World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou, China, on Dec. 12, 2025.

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Ayumu Hirano of Japan poses after winning gold in the men's halfpipe at the World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou, China, on Dec. 12, 2025.

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Ayumu Hirano of Japan smiles after winning gold in the men's halfpipe at the World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou, China, on Dec. 12, 2025.

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Ayumu Hirano of Japan smiles after winning gold in the men's halfpipe at the World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou, China, on Dec. 12, 2025.

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Ayumu Hirano of Japan celebrates after winning gold in the men's halfpipe at the World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou, China, on Dec. 12, 2025.

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Ayumu Hirano of Japan celebrates after winning gold in the men's halfpipe at the World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou, China, on Dec. 12, 2025.

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Ayumu Hirano of Japan performs en route to winning the men's halfpipe final at the World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou, China, on Dec. 12, 2025.

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Ayumu Hirano of Japan performs en route to winning the men's halfpipe final at the World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou, China, on Dec. 12, 2025.

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Ayumu Hirano of Japan performs en route to winning the men's halfpipe final at the World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou, China, on Dec. 12, 2025.

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Ayumu Hirano of Japan performs en route to winning the men's halfpipe final at the World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou, China, on Dec. 12, 2025.

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Ayumu Hirano of Japan performs en route to winning the men's halfpipe final at the World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou, China, on Dec. 12, 2025.

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Ayumu Hirano of Japan performs en route to winning the men's halfpipe final at the World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou, China, on Dec. 12, 2025.

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Snowboarding: World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou

Ayumu Hirano of Japan performs en route to winning the men's halfpipe final at the World Cup opener in Zhangjiakou, China, on Dec. 12, 2025.

U.S. military parachute drill

U.S. military parachute drill

U.S. Air Force personnel conduct a parachute drill at Kadena air base in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, on Dec. 12, 2025.

U.S. military parachute drill

U.S. military parachute drill

U.S. Air Force personnel conduct a parachute drill at Kadena air base in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, on Dec. 12, 2025.

U.S. military parachute drill

U.S. military parachute drill

U.S. Air Force personnel conduct a parachute drill at Kadena air base in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, on Dec. 12, 2025.

Kanji for "bear" chosen as best to characterize 2025

Kanji for "bear" chosen as best to characterize 2025

Seihan Mori, chief Buddhist priest of Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, writes the kanji character "kuma," meaning bear, with a calligraphy brush during the annual kanji-of-the-year event on Dec. 12, 2025. The character was chosen to symbolize the national mood for the year due to frequent bear sightings and related incidents across Japan, as well as attention to the return of pandas - written with characters meaning "bear" and "cat" - to China.

Kanji for "bear" chosen as best to characterize 2025

Kanji for "bear" chosen as best to characterize 2025

Seihan Mori, chief Buddhist priest of Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, writes the kanji character "kuma," meaning bear, with a calligraphy brush during the annual kanji-of-the-year event on Dec. 12, 2025. The character was chosen to symbolize the national mood for the year due to frequent bear sightings and related incidents across Japan, as well as attention to the return of pandas - written with characters meaning "bear" and "cat" - to China.

Kanji for "bear" chosen as best to characterize 2025

Kanji for "bear" chosen as best to characterize 2025

Seihan Mori, chief Buddhist priest of Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, writes the kanji character "kuma," meaning bear, with a calligraphy brush during the annual kanji-of-the-year event on Dec. 12, 2025. The character was chosen to symbolize the national mood for the year due to frequent bear sightings and related incidents across Japan, as well as attention to the return of pandas - written with characters meaning "bear" and "cat" - to China.

Tsunami advisory issued in Japan

Tsunami advisory issued in Japan

A Japan Meteorological Agency official holds a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 12, 2025, after the agency issued a tsunami advisory for the Pacific coast of northern and northeastern Japan following an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.7 in the Pacific Ocean off Aomori Prefecture.

Tsunami advisory issued in Japan

Tsunami advisory issued in Japan

A Japan Meteorological Agency official holds a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 12, 2025, after the agency issued a tsunami advisory for the Pacific coast of northern and northeastern Japan following an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.7 in the Pacific Ocean off Aomori Prefecture.

Defense Minister Koizumi

Defense Minister Koizumi

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 12, 2025, after talking via telephone with his U.S. counterpart, Pete Hegseth, over the recent radar lock incident involving Japanese and Chinese fighter jets.

Baseball: Seibu Lions' Hirasawa

Baseball: Seibu Lions' Hirasawa

Taiga Hirasawa poses for photos at an introductory press conference in Tokorozawa in the eastern Japan prefecture of Saitama on Dec. 12, 2024, after joining the Seibu Lions from the Lotte Marines.

Memorial service for ex-yokozuna Kitanofuji

Memorial service for ex-yokozuna Kitanofuji

A memorial service is held for former yokozuna Kitanofuji, a 10-time grand sumo tournament champion, whose real name was Katsuaki Takezawa, in Tokyo on Dec. 18, 2024. The former yokozuna, who mentored two grand champions including the legendary Chiyonofuji before becoming a popular TV sumo pundit, died on Nov. 12, 2024, at the age of 82.

Landslide in Ehime Pref.

Landslide in Ehime Pref.

MATSUYAMA, Japan, Dec. 18 Kyodo - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 12, 2024, shows the aftermath of a landslide on a mountainside beneath Matsuyama Castle (top) in Matsuyama in the western Japan prefecture of Ehime, following torrential rain. Three people died when a wooden house at the foot of the mountain was buried.

Syria after Assad government collapse

Syria after Assad government collapse

Photo taken on Dec. 12, 2024, shows a private residence of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, apparently plundered by looters following the collapse of his government.

Syria after Assad government collapse

Syria after Assad government collapse

Photo taken on Dec. 12, 2024, shows a private residence of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, apparently plundered by looters following the collapse of his government.

Football: UEFA Conference League

Football: UEFA Conference League

Ryoya Morishita (L) of Legia Warsaw plays in a UEFA Conference League football match against Lugano in Warsaw, Poland, on Dec. 12, 2024.

Football: UEFA Europa League

Football: UEFA Europa League

Koki Machida (R) of Royale Union Saint-Gilloise dribbles the ball during a UEFA Europa League football match against Nice in Brussels, Belgium, on Dec. 12, 2024.

Football: UEFA Europa League

Football: UEFA Europa League

AZ Alkmaar's Seiya Maikuma (front, C) vies for the ball with Ludogorets players during a UEFA Europa League football match in Razgrad, Bulgaria, on Dec. 12, 2024.

Football: UEFA Europa League

Football: UEFA Europa League

Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo (L) dribbles the ball in a UEFA Europa League football match against Dynamo Kyiv in San Sebastian, Spain, on Dec. 12, 2024.

Football: UEFA Europa League

Football: UEFA Europa League

Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo (front) plays in a UEFA Europa League football match against Dynamo Kyiv in San Sebastian, Spain, on Dec. 12, 2024.

Syria after collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime

Syria after collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime

People gather at Umayyad Square in the Syrian capital Damascus on Dec. 12, 2024, to celebrate the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad's regime.

A-bomb survivor Ogura in Norway

A-bomb survivor Ogura in Norway

Keiko Ogura (front), a survivor of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima, speaks about her experiences at a junior high school in a municipality in the greater Oslo region, Norway, on Dec. 12, 2024.

A-bomb survivor Ogura in Norway

A-bomb survivor Ogura in Norway

Keiko Ogura (L), a survivor of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima, speaks about her experiences at a junior high school in a municipality in the greater Oslo region, Norway, on Dec. 12, 2024.

A-bomb survivor Ogura in Norway

A-bomb survivor Ogura in Norway

Keiko Ogura, a survivor of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima, speaks about her experiences at a junior high school in a municipality in the greater Oslo region, Norway, on Dec. 12, 2024.

A-bomb survivor Ogura in Norway

A-bomb survivor Ogura in Norway

Keiko Ogura (C), a survivor of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima, is welcomed as she visits a junior high school in a municipality in the greater Oslo region, Norway, on Dec. 12, 2024, to speak about her experiences.

ECB President Lagarde

ECB President Lagarde

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde holds a press conference in Frankfurt on Dec. 12, 2024, following the ECB policy-setting committee's decision to lower its key interest rate by a quarter percentage point.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto addresses attendees of the opening ceremony for a Tunnel of Friendship connecting Istiqlal Mosque with a cathedral in Jakarta on Dec. 12, 2024.

Crossing border in Syria

Crossing border in Syria

A portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is seen torn on the road to Lebanon near the border crossing in Masnaa, Syria, on Dec. 12, 2024, following the collapse of his government.

Syria after Assad government's collapse

Syria after Assad government's collapse

A tank is discarded on a road leading to Damascus on Dec. 12, 2024, following the collapse of the government of President Bashar al-Assad.