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.

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.

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)

Japan to nominate Hikone Castle for 2028 World Heritage listing

Japan to nominate Hikone Castle for 2028 World Heritage listing

Hikone Mayor Issei Tajima (front row, 4th from L) celebrates with the western Japan city's popular mascot Hikonyan at the city government headquarters in Shiga Prefecture on Sept. 3, 2026, after a Japanese government council selected Hikone Castle, a national treasure, as a candidate for nomination for the 2028 UNESCO World Heritage list.

Japan crown prince, crown princess in Paraguay

Japan crown prince, crown princess in Paraguay

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito (front row, 2nd from L) and Crown Princess Kiko visit the Pantheon of Heroes in Asuncion on Aug. 19, 2026, during their official trip to Paraguay to mark 90 years of Japanese emigration to the South American country. (Pool photo)

Japan crown prince, crown princess in Paraguay

Japan crown prince, crown princess in Paraguay

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito (front row, 2nd from L) and Crown Princess Kiko visit the Pantheon of Heroes in Asuncion on Aug. 19, 2026, during their official trip to Paraguay to mark 90 years of Japanese emigration to the South American country. (Pool photo)

Japan crown prince, crown princess in Paraguay

Japan crown prince, crown princess in Paraguay

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito (front row, 2nd from L) and Crown Princess Kiko visit the Pantheon of Heroes in Asuncion on Aug. 19, 2026, during their official trip to Paraguay to mark 90 years of Japanese emigration to the South American country. (Pool photo)

Event to Promote Japan's Physical AI Policy Abroad

Event to Promote Japan's Physical AI Policy Abroad

An event to promote Japan’s physical AI policy to the international community. The photo shows Ryosei Akazawa,Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (third from the left in the front row), and Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA (fourth from the left), among others.=July 16,2026,Tokyo

Event to Promote Japan's Physical AI Policy Abroad

Event to Promote Japan's Physical AI Policy Abroad

An event to promote Japan’s physical AI policy to the international community. The photo shows Ryosei Akazawa,Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (third from the left in the front row), and Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA (fourth from the left), among others.=July 16,2026,Tokyo

Emperor meets Japan Academy Prize winners

Emperor meets Japan Academy Prize winners

One of the recipients of the Japan Academy Prize gives a presentation about her research to Japan's Emperor Naruhito (front row, foreground), Empress Masako and other members of the imperial family at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on June 13, 2026.

105th founding anniversary of Chinese Communist Party

105th founding anniversary of Chinese Communist Party

Chinese President Xi Jinping (front row, 2nd from L) attends a ceremony marking the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 1, 2026.

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (front row, 2nd from R) and Empress Masako (front row, 2nd from L) pose for a photo with Belgium's King Philippe (front row, far L) and Queen Mathilde (front row, far R) at the Royal Castle of Ciergnon in Houyet, southern Belgium, a residence and summer retreat of the Belgian royal family, on June 21, 2026. Standing behind them are (from R to L) Prince Gabriel, Princess Elisabeth, Princess Eleonore and Prince Emmanuel. (Pool photo)

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (front row, 2nd from R) and Empress Masako (front row, 2nd from L) pose for a photo with Belgium's King Philippe (front row, far L) and Queen Mathilde (front row, far R) at the Royal Castle of Ciergnon in Houyet, southern Belgium, a residence and summer retreat of the Belgian royal family, on June 21, 2026. Standing behind them are (from R to L) Prince Gabriel, Princess Elisabeth, Princess Eleonore and Prince Emmanuel. (Pool photo)

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (front row, 2nd from R) and Empress Masako (front row, 2nd from L) pose for a photo with Belgium's King Philippe (front row, far L) and Queen Mathilde (front row, far R) at the Royal Castle of Ciergnon in Houyet, southern Belgium, a residence and summer retreat of the Belgian royal family, on June 21, 2026. Standing behind them are (from R to L) Prince Gabriel, Princess Elisabeth, Princess Eleonore and Prince Emmanuel. (Pool photo)

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan emperor, empress in Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (front row, 2nd from R) and Empress Masako (front row, 2nd from L) pose for a photo with Belgium's King Philippe (front row, far L) and Queen Mathilde (front row, far R) at the Royal Castle of Ciergnon in Houyet, southern Belgium, a residence and summer retreat of the Belgian royal family, on June 21, 2026. Standing behind them are (from R to L) Prince Gabriel, Princess Elisabeth, Princess Eleonore and Prince Emmanuel. (Pool photo)

Princess Kako watches Belgian dance performance

Princess Kako watches Belgian dance performance

Japanese Princess Kako (front row, C) watches a performance by Belgian dance company Rosas at Saitama Arts Theater in Saitama near Tokyo on June 19, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Kako watches Belgian dance performance

Princess Kako watches Belgian dance performance

Japanese Princess Kako (front row, C) watches a performance by Belgian dance company Rosas at Saitama Arts Theater in Saitama near Tokyo on June 19, 2026. (Pool photo)

G7 summit in France

G7 summit in France

(From L on front row) U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, (from L on back row) Kenyan President William Ruto, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pose during a Group of Seven summit photo session in Evian-les-Bains, France, on June 16, 2026.

G7 summit in France

G7 summit in France

(from L to R on front row) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, (from L to R on back row) European Council President Antonio Costa, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Kenyan President William Ruto, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pose during a Group of Seven summit photo session in Evian-les-Bains, France, on June 16, 2026.

G7 summit in France

G7 summit in France

(from L to R on front row) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, (from L to R on back row) European Council President Antonio Costa, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Kenyan President William Ruto, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pose during a Group of Seven summit photo session in Evian-les-Bains, France, on June 16, 2026.

35th anniversary of Japan mountain disaster

35th anniversary of Japan mountain disaster

Shimabara Mayor Ryuzaburo Furukawa (front row, far L) lays flowers at a monument on June 3, 2026, as the city in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Nagasaki marked the 35th anniversary of a huge pyroclastic flow from Mt. Unzen's Fugen Peak that claimed the lives of 43 people, including firefighters, police officers and reporters.

Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo

Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo

Leaders and representatives of island nations and relevant organizations pose for a photo as they attend the Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo on June 3, 2026. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C, front row) delivered a speech on the first day of the two-day summit, pledging that Japan will continue to assist nations and regions facing challenges stemming from climate change and rising sea levels.

Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo

Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo

Leaders and representatives of island nations and relevant organizations pose for a photo as they attend the Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo on June 3, 2026. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C, front row) delivered a speech on the first day of the two-day summit, pledging that Japan will continue to assist nations and regions facing challenges stemming from climate change and rising sea levels.

Reception for heads of U.N. agencies

Reception for heads of U.N. agencies

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front row, 2nd from R) poses for a photo with U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres (front row, 3rd from R) and the heads and officials of other U.N. agencies ahead of a welcome reception at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 18, 2026.

U.S. President Trump in Beijing

U.S. President Trump in Beijing

Chinese President Xi Jinping (front, R) attends a welcome ceremony for U.S. President Donald Trump (not seen) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (front, L), Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook (2nd row, L), Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk (2nd row, C) and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (2nd row, R) also attended the ceremony. (Pool photo)

Magyar sworn in as Hungary's prime minister

Magyar sworn in as Hungary's prime minister

Tisza party leader Peter Magyar (3rd from R, front row) stands in the Hungarian parliament in Budapest on May 9, 2026. He was sworn in as the country's new prime minister the same day.

The Japan Association of Corporate Executives: April 2026 Regular General Meeting

The Japan Association of Corporate Executives: April 2026 Regular General Meeting

The Japan Association of Corporate Executives’ April 2026 Annual General Meeting. The photo shows Representative Director Akio Yamaguchi (center front row) with the incoming and outgoing Deputy Representative Directors.=April 21,2026,Tokyo

150-meter-tall fountain completed in Tokyo

150-meter-tall fountain completed in Tokyo

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike (front row, 3rd from L) poses for a photo during the opening ceremony of Tokyo Aqua Symphony, one of the world's largest fountains, at Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo on March 28, 2026. The 150-meter-tall, 250-meter-wide fountain is expected to generate about 9.8 billion yen ($61 million) in annual economic activity, as around 30 million people are expected to visit.

Roundtable Discussion Between the Japan Association of Corporate Executives and the Japanese Trade Union Confederation

Roundtable Discussion Between the Japan Association of Corporate Executives and the Japanese Trade Union Confederation

A meeting between the Japan Association of Corporate Executives and the Japanese Trade Union Confederation. The photo shows Tomoko Yoshino, President of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (second from the left in the front row at the back).=March 25,2026,Tokyo

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Members of Japan's national baseball team, including Shohei Ohtani (3rd from L, front row), attend a photo session at Tokyo Dome in the Japanese capital on March 4, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Members of Japan's national baseball team, including Shohei Ohtani (3rd from L, front row), attend a photo session at Tokyo Dome in the Japanese capital on March 4, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Members of Japan's national baseball team, including Shohei Ohtani (4th from L, front row), attend a photo session at Tokyo Dome in the Japanese capital on March 4, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Members of Japan's national baseball team, including Shohei Ohtani (4th from L, front row), attend a photo session at Tokyo Dome in the Japanese capital on March 4, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic. (For editorial use only)

Japan gov't economic, fiscal policy meeting

Japan gov't economic, fiscal policy meeting

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from L, front row) attends a Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Feb. 24, 2026.

Athletes' press conference after Milan Cortina Olympics

Athletes' press conference after Milan Cortina Olympics

Japan's Riku Miura (L, front row) and Ryuichi Kihara (R, front row) attend a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 24, 2026, upon their return from the Milan Cortina Olympics. They won gold in the figure skating pairs and silver in the team event.

Athletes' press conference after Milan Cortina Olympics

Athletes' press conference after Milan Cortina Olympics

Japan's Riku Miura (L, front row) and Ryuichi Kihara (R, front row) attend a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 24, 2026, upon their return from the Milan Cortina Olympics. They won gold in the figure skating pairs and silver in the team event.

Athletes' press conference after Milan Cortina Olympics

Athletes' press conference after Milan Cortina Olympics

Japan's Riku Miura (L, front row) and Ryuichi Kihara (R, front row) attend a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 24, 2026, upon their return from the Milan Cortina Olympics. They won gold in the figure skating pairs and silver in the team event.

Athletes' press conference after Milan Cortina Olympics

Athletes' press conference after Milan Cortina Olympics

Japan's Kaori Sakamoto (L, front row) hands the microphone to athletes in the back row during a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 24, 2026, upon her return from the Milan Cortina Olympics. She won silver in the women's figure skating and silver in the team event.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Freestyle skiing

Milan Cortina Olympics: Freestyle skiing

Japanese freestyle skier Satoshi Furuno (front row, C) poses for a photo after placing fourth in the men's ski cross final at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 21, 2026, at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy.

New Takaichi Cabinet inaugurated

New Takaichi Cabinet inaugurated

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front row, C) poses for a photo at the premier's office in Tokyo with her Cabinet members after her new Cabinet was inaugurated following her reelection as Japan's prime minister in parliament on Feb. 18, 2026.

New Takaichi Cabinet inaugurated

New Takaichi Cabinet inaugurated

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front row, C) poses for a photo at the premier's office in Tokyo with her Cabinet members after her new Cabinet was inaugurated following her reelection as Japan's prime minister in parliament on Feb. 18, 2026.