Japanese winner of U.S. Lasker Award

TSUKUBA, Japan, Sept. 11 Kyodo - Japanese sleep scientist Masashi Yanagisawa, a professor at the University of Tsukuba, attends a press conference at the university in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Sept. 10, 2026, after receiving the Lasker Award for basic medical research for identifying orexin and linking its deficiency to narcolepsy. (Kyodo)

Japanese winner of U.S. Lasker Award

Japanese winner of U.S. Lasker Award

Japanese sleep scientist Masashi Yanagisawa, a professor at the University of Tsukuba, attends a press conference at the university in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Sept. 10, 2026, after receiving the Lasker Award for basic medical research for identifying orexin and linking its deficiency to narcolepsy.

Japanese winner of U.S. Lasker Award

Japanese winner of U.S. Lasker Award

Japanese sleep scientist Masashi Yanagisawa, a professor at the University of Tsukuba, gives a lecture on his research at the university in Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Sept. 10, 2026, after receiving the Lasker Award for basic medical research for identifying orexin and linking orexin deficiency to narcolepsy.

Japanese winner of U.S. Lasker Award

Japanese winner of U.S. Lasker Award

Japanese sleep scientist Masashi Yanagisawa, a professor at the University of Tsukuba, attends a press conference at the university in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Sept. 10, 2026, after receiving the Lasker Award for basic medical research for identifying orexin and linking its deficiency to narcolepsy.

New Zealand warship makes port call in Yokosuka

New Zealand warship makes port call in Yokosuka

New Zealand navy personnel pose for a photo with members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as the patrol vessel Te Mana makes a port call at the MSDF's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Sept. 8, 2026.

[Breaking News]Heavy rain in eastern Japan

OAMISHIRASATO, Japan, Sept. 7 Kyodo - A road is flooded amid heavy rain in Oamishirasato, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Sept. 7, 2026. (Kyodo)

Heavy rain in eastern Japan

Heavy rain in eastern Japan

A convenience store parking lot is flooded amid heavy rain in Oamishirasato, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Sept. 7, 2026.

Heavy rain in eastern Japan

Heavy rain in eastern Japan

A convenience store parking lot is flooded amid heavy rain in Oamishirasato, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Sept. 7, 2026.

Heavy rain in eastern Japan

Heavy rain in eastern Japan

A convenience store parking lot is flooded amid heavy rain in Oamishirasato, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Sept. 7, 2026.

Heavy rain in eastern Japan

Heavy rain in eastern Japan

A convenience store parking lot is flooded amid heavy rain in Oamishirasato, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Sept. 7, 2026.

Heavy rain in eastern Japan

Heavy rain in eastern Japan

A convenience store parking lot is flooded amid heavy rain in Oamishirasato, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Sept. 7, 2026.

Heavy rain in eastern Japan

Heavy rain in eastern Japan

A convenience store parking lot is flooded amid heavy rain in Oamishirasato, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Sept. 7, 2026.

Heavy rain in eastern Japan

Heavy rain in eastern Japan

A convenience store parking lot is flooded amid heavy rain in Oamishirasato, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Sept. 7, 2026.

Heavy rain in eastern Japan

Heavy rain in eastern Japan

A road is flooded amid heavy rain in Oamishirasato, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Sept. 7, 2026.

Heavy rain in eastern Japan

Heavy rain in eastern Japan

A road is flooded amid heavy rain in Oamishirasato, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Sept. 7, 2026.

Japan: Torrential Rain and Flooding Batter Eastern Pacific Coast

Torrential rain triggered by Typhoon Krovanh and a stalled rain front continued to hit Japan's eastern Pacific coast on Monday, September 7, causing flooding in the area.

2000 Nobel laureate in chemistry Shirakawa dies at 90

2000 Nobel laureate in chemistry Shirakawa dies at 90

Hideki Shirakawa is congratulated by students and staff after being named a 2000 Nobel laureate in chemistry for his discovery and development of conductive polymers at the University of Tsukuba in Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture, eastern Japan, in October 2000. Shirakawa, a professor emeritus at the University of Tsukuba, died at age 90 on Aug. 24, 2026.

Italian Navy vessel docks in Yokosuka

Italian Navy vessel docks in Yokosuka

The Giovanni delle Bande Nere, an Italian Navy multi-purpose offshore patrol vessel, makes a port call at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Sept. 2, 2026.

BOJ Deputy Governor Himino meets press

BOJ Deputy Governor Himino meets press

Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino holds a press conference in Saitama, eastern Japan, on Aug. 27, 2026.

BOJ Deputy Governor Himino meets press

BOJ Deputy Governor Himino meets press

Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino holds a press conference in Saitama, eastern Japan, on Aug. 27, 2026.

Ex-Japan abductee Soga calls for early gov't action

Ex-Japan abductee Soga calls for early gov't action

Former Japanese abductee Hitomi Soga speaks during a rally in Ageo in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Aug. 25, 2026, urging the government to take action to rescue Japanese still in North Korea, in light of the age of their family members. Soga, 67, returned from North Korea in 2002 following a Japan-North Korea summit in Pyongyang.

Ex-Japan abductee Soga calls for early gov't action

Ex-Japan abductee Soga calls for early gov't action

Former Japanese abductee Hitomi Soga speaks during a rally in Ageo in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Aug. 25, 2026, urging the government to take action to rescue Japanese still in North Korea, in light of the age of their family members. Soga, 67, returned from North Korea in 2002 following a Japan-North Korea summit in Pyongyang.

Ex-Japan abductee Soga calls for early gov't action

Ex-Japan abductee Soga calls for early gov't action

Former Japanese abductee Hitomi Soga speaks during a rally in Ageo in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Aug. 25, 2026, urging the government to take action to rescue Japanese still in North Korea, in light of the age of their family members. Soga, 67, returned from North Korea in 2002 following a Japan-North Korea summit in Pyongyang.

Ex-Japan abductee Soga calls for early gov't action

Ex-Japan abductee Soga calls for early gov't action

Former Japanese abductee Hitomi Soga speaks during a rally in Ageo in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Aug. 25, 2026, urging the government to take action to rescue Japanese still in North Korea, in light of the age of their family members. Soga, 67, returned from North Korea in 2002 following a Japan-North Korea summit in Pyongyang.

Japan: Strong Quake Strikes Ibaraki, Shaking Greater Tokyo Before Dawn 5

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck eastern Japan, including the Greater Tokyo Area, early Sunday, August 23. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake occurred around 2:00 a.m. with an epicenter in southern Ibaraki Prefecture, at a depth of 70 kilometers.

Japan: Emergency Alerts Sound in Tokyo as Magnitude 5.9 Quake Hits 3

Alerts sounded across Tokyo as a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck eastern Japan, including the Greater Tokyo Area, early Sunday, August 23. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake occurred around 2:00 a.m. with an epicenter in southern Ibaraki Prefecture, at a depth of 70 kilometers.

Japan: Strong Quake Strikes Ibaraki, Shaking Greater Tokyo Before Dawn 4

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck eastern Japan, including the Greater Tokyo Area, early Sunday, August 23. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake occurred around 2:00 a.m. with an epicenter in southern Ibaraki Prefecture, at a depth of 70 kilometers. This video shows a family at home in Tokyo being awakened as an earthquake hits. The father can be seen covering his son with his body as the shaking begins.

Japan: Strong Quake Strikes Ibaraki, Shaking Greater Tokyo Before Dawn 3

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck eastern Japan, including the Greater Tokyo Area, early Sunday, August 23. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake occurred around 2:00 a.m. with an epicenter in southern Ibaraki Prefecture, at a depth of 70 kilometers.

Japan: Emergency Alerts Sound in Tokyo as Magnitude 5.9 Quake Hits 2

Alerts sounded across Tokyo as a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck eastern Japan, including the Greater Tokyo Area, early Sunday, August 23. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake occurred around 2:00 a.m. with an epicenter in southern Ibaraki Prefecture, at a depth of 70 kilometers.

Japan: Strong Quake Strikes Ibaraki, Shaking Greater Tokyo Before Dawn 2

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck eastern Japan, including the Greater Tokyo Area, early Sunday, August 23. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake occurred around 2:00 a.m. with an epicenter in southern Ibaraki Prefecture, at a depth of 70 kilometers.

Strong earthquake hits Tokyo area

Strong earthquake hits Tokyo area

A street is partially flooded in Tokyo in the early hours of Aug. 23, 2026, following the rupture of a water pipe triggered by a strong earthquake that struck eastern Japan.

Strong earthquake hits Tokyo area

Strong earthquake hits Tokyo area

A street is partially flooded in Tokyo in the early hours of Aug. 23, 2026, following the rupture of a water pipe triggered by a strong earthquake that struck eastern Japan.

Japan: Strong Quake Strikes Ibaraki, Shaking Greater Tokyo Before Dawn

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck eastern Japan, including the Greater Tokyo Area, early Sunday, August 23. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake occurred around 2:00 a.m. with an epicenter in southern Ibaraki Prefecture, at a depth of 70 kilometers.

Japan: Emergency Alerts Sound in Tokyo as Magnitude 5.9 Quake Hits

Alerts sounded across Tokyo as a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck eastern Japan, including the Greater Tokyo Area, early Sunday, August 23. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake occurred around 2:00 a.m. with an epicenter in southern Ibaraki Prefecture, at a depth of 70 kilometers.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

Photo shows an abandoned vehicle in Oamishirasato in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Aug. 18, 2026, with a message on it reading "Arrangement for towing has been already made," following the torrential rain that hit the area on Aug. 13.

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]Aftermath of torrential rain in eastern Japan

OAMISHIRASATO, Japan, Aug. 14 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a residential area submerged in floodwater in Oamishirasato in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, on Aug. 14, 2026, after torrential rain overnight. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Aftermath of torrential rain in eastern Japan

CHIBA, Japan, Aug. 14 Kyodo - People walk by a submerged vehicle on a flooded road in Chiba, east of Tokyo, in the early morning of Aug. 14, 2026, following overnight torrential rain. Japan's weather agency issued its highest Level 5 warning for downpours in parts of Chiba Prefecture. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Torrential rain pounds eastern Japan

CHIBA, Japan, Aug. 14 Kyodo - People wait for buses and other transportation in front of JR Chiba Station in Chiba, east of Tokyo, on the morning of Aug. 14, 2026, as train services remain suspended following torrential rain overnight. Japan's weather agency issued its highest Level 5 warning for downpours in parts of Chiba Prefecture. (Kyodo)

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

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.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

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.

Gunma Pref. mascot serves as conductor for special train

Gunma Pref. mascot serves as conductor for special train

Gunma Prefecture mascot Gunma-chan attends a ceremony at JR Takasaki Station in Takasaki in the eastern Japan prefecture on Aug. 15, 2026, before boarding a special event train as the conductor.

Gunma Pref. mascot serves as conductor for special train

Gunma Pref. mascot serves as conductor for special train

Gunma Prefecture mascot Gunma-chan attends a ceremony at JR Takasaki Station in Takasaki in the eastern Japan prefecture on Aug. 15, 2026, before boarding a special event train as the conductor.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

Stranded travelers rest in sleeping bags at Narita airport in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Aug. 14, 2026, after torrential rain overnight caused flight cancellations and disruption of public transportation.

Aftermath of torrential rain in eastern Japan

Aftermath of torrential rain in eastern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the site of a mudslide in Togane in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, on Aug. 14, 2026, after torrential rain overnight.

Aftermath of torrential rain in eastern Japan

Aftermath of torrential rain in eastern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the site of a mudslide in Togane in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, on Aug. 14, 2026, after torrential rain overnight.

Aftermath of torrential rain in eastern Japan

Aftermath of torrential rain in eastern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the site of a mudslide in Togane in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, on Aug. 14, 2026, after torrential rain overnight.

Aftermath of torrential rain in eastern Japan

Aftermath of torrential rain in eastern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a residential area submerged in floodwater in Oamishirasato in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, on Aug. 14, 2026, after torrential rain overnight.

Aftermath of torrential rain in eastern Japan

Aftermath of torrential rain in eastern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a residential area submerged in floodwater in Oamishirasato in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, on Aug. 14, 2026, after torrential rain overnight.