Crown princess visits Osaka

Crown princess visits Osaka

Japan's Crown Princess Kiko (R) stands in front of a lit-up Osaka Castle during tuberculosis prevention week in Osaka, western Japan, on Sept. 24, 2026.

Crown princess visits Osaka

Crown princess visits Osaka

Japan's Crown Princess Kiko (R) stands in front of a lit-up Osaka Castle during tuberculosis prevention week in Osaka, western Japan, on Sept. 24, 2026.

Japan-Ukraine summit

Japan-Ukraine summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (front) holds talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the U.N. headquarters in New York on Sept. 22, 2026.

Japan-Ukraine summit

Japan-Ukraine summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front) holds talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the U.N. headquarters in New York on Sept. 22, 2026.

N. Korean vice foreign minister to attend U.N. assembly

N. Korean vice foreign minister to attend U.N. assembly

North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son Gyong (front, L) is pictured at an airport in Pyongyang on Sept. 22, 2026, before flying to New York via Beijing for a U.N. General Assembly session.

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Emperor watches basketball match

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Emperor watches basketball match

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (front row, 2nd from L) and Empress Masako (front row, 3rd from L) watch an Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games women's basketball match between Japan and Kazakhstan at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 20, 2026. (Pool photo)

Baseball: Giants vs. Dodgers

Baseball: Giants vs. Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (front) is pictured in the dugout in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants on Sept. 20, 2026, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Opening ceremony

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Opening ceremony

Paris Olympics women's wrestling gold medalist Akari Fujinami (front, R) carries the Japanese delegation's flag during the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 19, 2026.

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Opening ceremony

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Opening ceremony

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (front row, far L) and Empress Masako (front row, 2nd from L) clap while watching the Japanese delegation marching during the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 19, 2026.

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Opening ceremony

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Opening ceremony

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (front row, far L) and Empress Masako (front row, 2nd from L) clap while watching the Japanese delegation marching during the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 19, 2026.

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Opening ceremony

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Opening ceremony

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (front row, 4th from R) declares the opening of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 19, 2026.

Japan PM reshuffles Cabinet

Japan PM reshuffles Cabinet

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front row, C) and her Cabinet members pose for a group photo at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 17, 2026, following the reshuffle of her Cabinet.

Japan PM reshuffles Cabinet

Japan PM reshuffles Cabinet

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front row, C) and her Cabinet members pose for a group photo at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 17, 2026, following the reshuffle of her Cabinet.

Japan PM reshuffles Cabinet

Japan PM reshuffles Cabinet

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front row, C) and her Cabinet members pose for a group photo at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 17, 2026, following the reshuffle of her Cabinet.

Japan PM reshuffles Cabinet

Japan PM reshuffles Cabinet

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front row, C) and her Cabinet members pose for a group photo at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 17, 2026, following the reshuffle of her Cabinet.

Japan PM reshuffles Cabinet

Japan PM reshuffles Cabinet

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front row, C) and her Cabinet members pose for a group photo at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 17, 2026, following the reshuffle of her Cabinet.

Japan PM reshuffles Cabinet

Japan PM reshuffles Cabinet

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front row, C) and her Cabinet members pose for a group photo at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 17, 2026, following the reshuffle of her Cabinet.

Japan PM reshuffles Cabinet

Japan PM reshuffles Cabinet

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front row, C) and her Cabinet members pose for a group photo at the premier's office in Tokyo on Sept. 17, 2026, following the reshuffle of her Cabinet.

Football: UEFA Europa League

Football: UEFA Europa League

Lyon's Keito Nakamura (front, R) celebrates with teammates after scoring in the first half of a UEFA Europa League football match against Anderlecht in Brussels, Belgium, on Sept. 16, 2026.

Football: UEFA Europa League

Football: UEFA Europa League

Lyon's Keito Nakamura (front, R) celebrates with teammates after scoring in the first half of a UEFA Europa League football match against Anderlecht in Brussels, Belgium, on Sept. 16, 2026.

Cross-party parliamentary group for 2027 green expo

Cross-party parliamentary group for 2027 green expo

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front row, 3rd from L) poses for photos with other members at the inaugural meeting of a cross-party parliamentary group formed to promote the International Horticultural Expo 2027, which will be held in Yokohama, on Sept. 16, 2026 in Tokyo.

Xiangshan Forum in Beijing

Xiangshan Forum in Beijing

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun (front, C) attends the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on Sept. 16, 2026.

Figure skating: Miura and Kihara

Figure skating: Miura and Kihara

Japanese Olympic pairs figure skating champions Riku Miura (front) and Ryuichi Kihara pose for photos at a press conference in Tokyo on Sept. 15, 2026. They announced the same day that they will hold a national tour of their ice show next year.

Figure skating: Miura and Kihara

Figure skating: Miura and Kihara

Japanese Olympic pairs figure skating champions Riku Miura (front) and Ryuichi Kihara pose for photos at a press conference in Tokyo on Sept. 15, 2026. They announced the same day that they will hold a national tour of their ice show next year.

N. Korean sports minister off to Japan for Asian Games

N. Korean sports minister off to Japan for Asian Games

North Korean sports minister Kim Il Guk (front, L) arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing on Sept. 15, 2026, en route to Japan for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

IAEA annual meeting

IAEA annual meeting

Iran's Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency Reza Najafi (front) attends the agency's annual General Conference in Vienna on Sept. 14, 2026.

Japan: Weather Front Brings Widespread Downpours, Prompting Rain Alerts

On Monday, September 14, heavy downpours fell across a wide swath of Japan from Tohoku to Kyushu, as weather fronts moved through the area, prompting Level 2 and 3 rain alerts in some areas. In Akita Prefecture, 69.0 millimeters of rain was recorded in an hour.

Crown princess Kiko at musical

Crown princess Kiko at musical

Japanese Crown Princess Kiko (front, C) arrives at Kanagawa Arts Theatre in Yokohama near Tokyo on Sept. 12, 2026, for the musical "Princess Anio," depicting the history of Japan-Vietnam ties. (Pool photo)

Crown princess Kiko at musical

Crown princess Kiko at musical

Japanese Crown Princess Kiko (front, R) shakes hands with Vietnamese actor Do Phan Gia Han, actor starring in the musical "Princess Anio," depicting the history of Japan-Vietnam ties, after watching the performance at Kanagawa Arts Theatre in Yokohama near Tokyo on Sept. 12, 2026. (Pool photo)

Crown princess Kiko at musical

Crown princess Kiko at musical

Japanese Crown Princess Kiko (5th from R, front row) watches the musical "Princess Anio," depicting the history of Japan-Vietnam ties, at Kanagawa Arts Theatre in Yokohama near Tokyo on Sept. 12, 2026. (Pool photo)

Crown princess Kiko at musical

Crown princess Kiko at musical

Japanese Crown Princess Kiko (front, L) arrives at Kanagawa Arts Theatre in Yokohama near Tokyo on Sept. 12, 2026, for the musical "Princess Anio," depicting the history of Japan-Vietnam ties. (Pool photo)

"Resident registration" for statue at northeastern Japan city museum

"Resident registration" for statue at northeastern Japan city museum

Towada Mayor Yuriko Sakurada (L) and Towada Art Center head Yukiko Shikata pose in front of a 4-meter-tall statue while holding the statue's "residency card" at the museum in Towada in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Sept. 11, 2026. The city conferred the status on Standing Woman, created by Australian modern art artist Ron Mueck, as it has been on display at the museum since its opening in 2008.

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Gov. Denny Tamaki performs a traditional folk dance in front of supporters after losing to Genta Koja in the Okinawa gubernatorial election in Naha on Sept. 13, 2026.

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Gov. Denny Tamaki speaks in front of supporters after losing to Genta Koja in the Okinawa gubernatorial election in Naha on Sept. 13, 2026.

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Gov. Denny Tamaki speaks in front of supporters after losing to Genta Koja in the Okinawa gubernatorial election in Naha on Sept. 13, 2026.

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Gov. Denny Tamaki bows in front of supporters after losing to Genta Koja in the Okinawa gubernatorial election in Naha on Sept. 13, 2026.

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Okinawa gubernatorial election

Gov. Denny Tamaki bows in front of supporters after losing to Genta Koja in the Okinawa gubernatorial election in Naha on Sept. 13, 2026.

Spain: Cold Front Moves Into Murcia, Bringing Intense Downpour and Flooding

A cold front swept into Spain's Murcia region on Wednesday, September 9, triggering an intense downpour that dumped up to 44mm/h of rain on the El Reguerón-El Palmar area. The storm flooded streets and stranded vehicles across the city, prompting AEMET to issue orange warnings for heavy rain and thunderstorms in several areas.

Slovenia: Thousands Protest Israeli Embassy Opening in Ljubljana 2

Thousands of protesters marched through Ljubljana as Israel opened a new embassy in the city, accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza and demanding the embassy's closure. The demonstration, organized by the group Iskra, drew an estimated 5,000 people, and coincided with a visit by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sar.

China: Disabled Cat Walks on Front Paws in Handstand

Filmed on July 27, 2025, in Urumqi, Xinjiang, this video captures the unique and inspiring journey of a cat named Nunu. Born with a congenital deformity that left its hind legs unable to function, Nunu was rescued from the streets and has since taught itself to navigate the world in a truly remarkable way. The footage shows Nunu moving down a hallway entirely on its front paws in a perfect handstand. With its hind legs lifted and suspended in the air, Nunu uses its two front paws to bear its entire body weight, alternating them in a steady, rhythmic motion to propel itself forward. Its front legs are visibly strong and muscular, allowing it to maintain a steady balance and walk with surprising agility. The video beautifully highlights Nunu's incredible resilience and optimistic spirit, turning a severe physical challenge into a heartwarming display of strength and determination.

Japanese baseball great Harimoto dies

Japanese baseball great Harimoto dies

Japanese baseball great Isao Harimoto celebrates after being inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in Tokyo in January 1990, in front of the plaque of fellow Hall of Famer Shigeru Mizuhara. Harimoto, who set the Nippon Professional Baseball career hits record with 3,085 hits in 2,752 games, died on Sept. 9, 2026, aged 86.

78th anniversary of N. Korea's founding

78th anniversary of N. Korea's founding

Citizens hold up national flags in front of a monument erected to commemorate the 78th anniversary of North Korea's founding on Sept. 8, 2026, the eve of the anniversary.

Football: Champions League

Football: Champions League

Ayase Ueda (front) of Lille celebrates with his teammates after scoring the opener in the first half of a Champions League football match against Real Betis in Lille, France, on Sept. 8, 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.

U.S. special representatives Witkoff, Kushner in Kyiv

U.S. special representatives Witkoff, Kushner in Kyiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (front, L) greets U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff (front, R) and Jared Kushner (back, C), U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, ahead of talks in Kyiv on Sept. 6, 2026.

U.S. special representatives Witkoff, Kushner in Kyiv

U.S. special representatives Witkoff, Kushner in Kyiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (front, L) greets U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff (front, R) and Jared Kushner (back, C), U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, ahead of talks in Kyiv on Sept. 6, 2026.

Japan: Typhoon Krovanh Brings Heavy Rain, High Waves to Hachijojima

Torrential rain triggered by Typhoon Krovanh and a stalled rain front hit areas across Japan on Sunday, September 6. Rain intensified overnight in the southern Izu Islands, including Hachijojima, where authorities recorded roughly 110 millimeters of rain in one hour and issued a record short-term heavy rain advisory, along with warnings for strong winds and high waves.

Heavy rain in Tokyo

Heavy rain in Tokyo

People wait at a crosswalk in front of JR Shinjuku Station in Tokyo in heavy rain on Sept. 7, 2026.

Japan's opposition party incumbent head Tamaki re-elected

Japan's opposition party incumbent head Tamaki re-elected

Yuichiro Tamaki (front, C) pumps his fist in Tokyo after securing a third term as leader of Japan's opposition Democratic Party for the People in its leadership election on Sept. 6, 2026.

Japan's opposition party incumbent head Tamaki re-elected

Japan's opposition party incumbent head Tamaki re-elected

Yuichiro Tamaki (front, C) pumps his fist in Tokyo after securing a third term as leader of Japan's opposition Democratic Party for the People in its leadership election on Sept. 6, 2026.