Four giant pandas at western Japan zoo

Four giant pandas at western Japan zoo

Giant pandas, (from top L, clockwise) Rauhin, Yuihin, Fuhin and Saihin, are pictured at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, on May 11, 2025, Sept. 18, 2022, Dec. 24, 2024 and Aug. 14, 2024, respectively. All four giant pandas on loan to the western Japan zoo are set to leave on June 28, 2025, to return to China.

New Year holiday exodus in Japan

New Year holiday exodus in Japan

A shinkansen bullet train platform at JR Tokyo Station is crowded on Dec. 28, 2024, with people heading to their hometowns and resort areas for New Year holidays.

New Year holiday exodus in Japan

New Year holiday exodus in Japan

A shinkansen bullet train platform at JR Tokyo Station is crowded on Dec. 28, 2024, with people heading to their hometowns and resort areas for New Year holidays.

Charm burning ritual at eastern Japan temple

Charm burning ritual at eastern Japan temple

Monks throw charms and amulets onto a fire in appreciation for the granting of worshippers' wishes during a year-end "otakiage" ritual at Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 28, 2024.

Charm burning ritual at eastern Japan temple

Charm burning ritual at eastern Japan temple

Monks throw charms and amulets onto a fire in appreciation for the granting of worshippers' wishes during a year-end "otakiage" ritual at Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 28, 2024.

Japanese astronaut Onishi

Japanese astronaut Onishi

Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi gives an interview in Tokyo on Nov. 28, 2024. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency announced on Dec. 2 that he will serve as commander at the International Space Station when he heads to the ISS aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule in February 2025 at the earliest, becoming the third Japanese to assume the post.

Japanese astronaut Onishi

Japanese astronaut Onishi

Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi gives an interview in Tokyo on Nov. 28, 2024. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency announced on Dec. 2 that he will serve as commander at the International Space Station when he heads to the ISS aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule in February 2025 at the earliest, becoming the third Japanese to assume the post.

Japanese astronaut Onishi

Japanese astronaut Onishi

Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi gives an interview in Tokyo on Nov. 28, 2024. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency announced on Dec. 2 that he will serve as commander at the International Space Station when he heads to the ISS aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule in February 2025 at the earliest, becoming the third Japanese to assume the post.

Japanese astronaut Onishi to assume ISS commander

Japanese astronaut Onishi to assume ISS commander

Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi gives an interview in Tokyo on Nov. 28, 2024. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency announced on Dec. 2 that he will serve as commander at the International Space Station when he heads to the ISS aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule in February 2025 at the earliest, becoming the third Japanese to assume the post.

TSMC to build 2nd Japan plant in Kumamoto

TSMC to build 2nd Japan plant in Kumamoto

File photo taken Dec. 28, 2023, shows Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s chip plant in Kikuyo in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan. TSMC announced on Feb. 6, 2024, that it plans to build a second factory in the same prefecture.

TSMC to build 2nd Japan plant in Kumamoto

TSMC to build 2nd Japan plant in Kumamoto

File photo taken Dec. 28, 2023, shows Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s chip plant in Kikuyo in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan. TSMC announced on Feb. 6, 2024, that it plans to build a second factory in the same prefecture.