[Breaking News]Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

KOBE, Japan, Jan. 30 Kyodo - The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people. (Kyodo)

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 30, 2026, in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, an avid fan of the Hanshin Tigers pro baseball team, holds a tiger-shaped charm during a campaign rally in Nishinomiya in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 29, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

KOBE, Japan, Jan. 19 Kyodo - People light lanterns during a memorial at a park in Kobe, western Japan, on Jan. 17, 2026, the 31st anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake that killed over 6,400 people. (Kyodo)

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Forty-nine candles are lit at a park in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, on Jan. 17, 2026, creating a Japanese "kanji" character meaning "life" as the western Japan city and its surrounding areas mark the 31st anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake that killed over 6,400 people, including 49 in the city.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

People pray during a memorial at a park in Kobe, western Japan, on Jan. 17, 2026, the 31st anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake that killed over 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

People pray during a memorial at a park in Kobe, western Japan, on Jan. 17, 2026, the 31st anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake that killed over 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

People light lanterns during a memorial at a park in Kobe, western Japan, on Jan. 17, 2026, the 31st anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake that killed over 6,400 people.

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Bamboo lanterns are lit at a park in Kobe on Jan. 17, 2026, to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Bamboo lanterns are lit at a park in Kobe on Jan. 17, 2026, to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Bamboo lanterns are lit at a park in Kobe on Jan. 17, 2026, to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

People observe a moment of silence at a park in Kobe on at 5:46 a.m. on Jan. 17, 2026, the exact time when the deadly Great Hanshin Earthquake struck 31 years ago.

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

People observe a moment of silence at a park in Kobe at 5:46 a.m. on Jan. 17, 2026, the exact time when the deadly Great Hanshin Earthquake struck 31 years ago.

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

People observe a moment of silence at a park in Kobe at 5:46 a.m. on Jan. 17, 2026, the exact time when the deadly Great Hanshin Earthquake struck 31 years ago.

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Lanterns are lit at a park in Kobe on Jan. 17, 2026, to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Lanterns are lit at a park in Kobe on Jan. 17, 2026, to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

People pray around lit candles at a park in Itami in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 16, 2026, the eve of the 31st anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake that killed over 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Paper lanterns are lit at a park in Kobe, western Japan, on Jan. 16, 2026, the eve of the 31st anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake that killed over 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Paper lanterns are lit at a park in Kobe, western Japan, on Jan. 16, 2026, the eve of the 31st anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake that killed over 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

People pray in front of lit lanterns at a park in Kobe, western Japan, on Jan. 16, 2026, the eve of the 31st anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake that killed over 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

People pray in front of lit candles at a park in Kobe, western Japan, on Jan. 16, 2026, the eve of the 31st anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake that killed over 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

People pray in front of lit candles at a park in Kobe, western Japan, on Jan. 16, 2026, the eve of the 31st anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake that killed over 6,400 people.

[Breaking News]Artwork collapses before illumination event in Kobe

KOBE, Japan, Jan. 11 Kyodo - Video taken on Jan. 11, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a fallen artwork following a gale at a park in Kobe ahead of the opening on Jan. 30 of the "Luminarie" illumination event in memory of the victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people. (Kyodo)

Artwork collapses before illumination event in Kobe

Artwork collapses before illumination event in Kobe

Photo taken on Jan. 11, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a fallen artwork following a gale at a park in Kobe ahead of the opening on Jan. 30 of the "Luminarie" illumination event in memory of the victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Artwork collapses before illumination event in Kobe

Artwork collapses before illumination event in Kobe

Photo taken on Jan. 11, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a fallen artwork following a gale at a park in Kobe ahead of the opening on Jan. 30 of the "Luminarie" illumination event in memory of the victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Artwork collapses before illumination event in Kobe

Artwork collapses before illumination event in Kobe

Photo taken on Jan. 11, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a fallen artwork following a gale at a park in Kobe ahead of the opening on Jan. 30 of the "Luminarie" illumination event in memory of the victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Memorial flame for Great Hanshin Earthquake

Memorial flame for Great Hanshin Earthquake

Photo taken on Jan. 10, 2026, shows a flame transferred to a lantern from a gas lamp burning "Light of Hope" flame at a park in Kobe, western Japan, to be used for various events marking the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, killing over 6,400 people.

Memorial flame for Great Hanshin Earthquake

Memorial flame for Great Hanshin Earthquake

Photo taken on Jan. 10, 2026, shows a flame transferred to a candle from a gas lamp burning "Light of Hope" flame at a park in Kobe, western Japan, to be used for various events marking the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, killing over 6,400 people.

Memorial flame for Great Hanshin Earthquake

Memorial flame for Great Hanshin Earthquake

Photo taken on Jan. 10, 2026, shows a flame transferred to a candle from a gas lamp burning "Light of Hope" flame at a park in Kobe, western Japan, to be used for various events marking the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, killing over 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

An illumination reading "Kobe 1. 17" is observed on Mt. Dotoku in Kobe on Jan. 9, 2026, ahead of the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity in 1995, killing more than 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

An illumination reading "Kobe 1. 17" is observed on Mt. Dotoku in Kobe on Jan. 9, 2026, ahead of the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity in 1995, killing more than 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

An illumination reading "Kobe 1. 17" is observed on Mt. Dotoku in Kobe on Jan. 9, 2026, ahead of the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity in 1995, killing more than 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

An illumination reading "Kobe 1. 17" is observed on Mt. Dotoku in Kobe on Jan. 9, 2026, ahead of the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity in 1995, killing more than 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

An illumination reading "Kobe 1. 17" is observed on Mt. Dotoku in Kobe on Jan. 9, 2026, ahead of the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity in 1995, killing more than 6,400 people.

Baseball: Hanshin Tigers' victory parade

OSAKA, Japan, Nov. 22 Kyodo - The Hanshin Tigers hold a parade along Osaka's Midosuji street in western Japan on Nov. 22, 2025, to celebrate their Central League baseball title.(Kyodo)

Baseball: Hanshin Tigers' victory parade

Baseball: Hanshin Tigers' victory parade

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Hanshin Tigers holding a parade along Osaka's Midosuji street in western Japan on Nov. 22, 2025, to celebrate their Central League baseball title.

Baseball: Hanshin Tigers' victory parade

Baseball: Hanshin Tigers' victory parade

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Hanshin Tigers holding a parade along Osaka's Midosuji street in western Japan on Nov. 22, 2025, to celebrate their Central League baseball title.

Baseball: Hanshin Tigers' victory parade

Baseball: Hanshin Tigers' victory parade

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Hanshin Tigers holding a parade along Osaka's Midosuji street in western Japan on Nov. 22, 2025, to celebrate their Central League baseball title.

Baseball: Hanshin Tigers' victory parade

Baseball: Hanshin Tigers' victory parade

The Hanshin Tigers hold a parade along Osaka's Midosuji street in western Japan on Nov. 22, 2025, to celebrate their Central League baseball title.

Baseball: Hanshin Tigers' victory parade

Baseball: Hanshin Tigers' victory parade

The Hanshin Tigers hold a parade along Osaka's Midosuji street in western Japan on Nov. 22, 2025, to celebrate their Central League baseball title.

Baseball: Hanshin Tigers' victory parade

Baseball: Hanshin Tigers' victory parade

The Hanshin Tigers hold a parade along Osaka's Midosuji street in western Japan on Nov. 22, 2025, to celebrate their Central League baseball title.

Baseball: Hanshin Tigers' victory parade

Baseball: Hanshin Tigers' victory parade

The Hanshin Tigers hold a parade along Osaka's Midosuji street in western Japan on Nov. 22, 2025, to celebrate their Central League baseball title.

Baseball: Hanshin Tigers' victory parade

Baseball: Hanshin Tigers' victory parade

The Hanshin Tigers hold a parade along Osaka's Midosuji street in western Japan on Nov. 22, 2025, to celebrate their Central League baseball title.

Baseball: Hanshin Tigers' victory parade

Baseball: Hanshin Tigers' victory parade

The Hanshin Tigers hold a parade along Osaka's Midosuji street in western Japan on Nov. 22, 2025, to celebrate their Central League baseball title.