Heavy snow in Aomori

Heavy snow in Aomori

People remove snow near a house in Aomori, northeastern Japan, on Feb. 2, 2026, as heavy snow continues to hit the region.

Heavy snow in Aomori

Heavy snow in Aomori

People remove snow near a house in Aomori, northeastern Japan, on Feb. 2, 2026, as heavy snow continues to hit the region.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Kaori Sakamoto of Japan takes part in an official training session for figure skating in Milan on Feb. 2, 2026, ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Kaori Sakamoto of Japan takes part in an official training session for figure skating in Milan on Feb. 2, 2026, ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Kaori Sakamoto of Japan takes part in an official training session for figure skating in Milan on Feb. 2, 2026, ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Kaori Sakamoto of Japan takes part in an official training session for figure skating in Milan on Feb. 2, 2026, ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Kaori Sakamoto of Japan takes part in an official training session for figure skating in Milan on Feb. 2, 2026, ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Kaori Sakamoto of Japan takes part in an official training session for figure skating in Milan on Feb. 2, 2026, ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Milan Cortina Olympics

Milan Cortina Olympics

Kaori Sakamoto of Japan is pictured during an official training session for figure skating in Milan on Feb. 2, 2026, ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Bean-throwing event in Kyoto

Bean-throwing event in Kyoto

Maiko traditional Japanese entertainers scatter roasted beans during a Setsubun bean-throwing event at Yasaka shrine in Kyoto, western Japan, on Feb. 2, 2026.

Bean-throwing event in Kyoto

Bean-throwing event in Kyoto

Maiko traditional Japanese entertainers scatter roasted beans during a Setsubun bean-throwing event at Yasaka shrine in Kyoto, western Japan, on Feb. 2, 2026.

Japan: Smoke Fills Hatchobori Station in Tokyo, Trains Suspended

Smoke was reported at JR Hatchobori Station on the Keiyo Line in Tokyo on Monday evening, February 2, prompting a suspension of services between Tokyo and Shin-Kiba stations. Passengers were guided outside after smoke was seen rising from an escalator connecting the platform and concourse, and entry to the station was restricted as smoke filled the premises.

Golf: Farmers Insurance Open

Golf: Farmers Insurance Open

Ryo Hisatsune of Japan makes a birdie putt on the first hole during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament on Feb. 1, 2026, at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California.

Golf: Farmers Insurance Open

Golf: Farmers Insurance Open

Ryo Hisatsune of Japan makes a birdie putt on the first hole during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament on Feb. 1, 2026, at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California.

Golf: Farmers Insurance Open

Golf: Farmers Insurance Open

Ryo Hisatsune of Japan makes a birdie putt on the first hole during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament on Feb. 1, 2026, at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California.

Golf: Farmers Insurance Open

Golf: Farmers Insurance Open

Ryo Hisatsune of Japan hits the second tee during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament on Feb. 1, 2026, at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California.

Golf: Farmers Insurance Open

Golf: Farmers Insurance Open

Ryo Hisatsune of Japan hits out of a bunker on the 18th hole during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament on Feb. 1, 2026, at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California.

Golf: Farmers Insurance Open

Golf: Farmers Insurance Open

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan hits off the second tee during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament on Feb. 1, 2026, at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California.

Golf: Farmers Insurance Open

Golf: Farmers Insurance Open

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan hits off the second tee during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament on Feb. 1, 2026, at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California.

Emergency contraceptive pills

Emergency contraceptive pills

Photo taken on Feb. 2, 2026, shows a card placed on a pharmacy shelf in Tokyo for women to buy NorLevo emergency contraceptive pills as Japan begins over-the-counter sales of them without age restrictions.

Emergency contraceptive pills

Emergency contraceptive pills

Photo taken on Feb. 2, 2026, at a pharmacy in Tokyo shows a package (L) containing a single NorLevo emergency contraceptive pill and cards for buying them as Japan begins over-the-counter sales of the pill without age restrictions.

Emergency contraceptive pills

Emergency contraceptive pills

Photo taken on Feb. 2, 2026, at a pharmacy in Tokyo shows a package (L) containing a single NorLevo emergency contraceptive pill and cards for buying them as Japan begins over-the-counter sales of the pill without age restrictions.

Emergency contraceptive pills

Emergency contraceptive pills

Photo taken on Feb. 2, 2026, at a pharmacy in Tokyo shows a package of NorLevo emergency contraceptive pills as Japan begins over-the-counter sales of them without age restrictions.

Snowboarding: Kokomo Murase

Snowboarding: Kokomo Murase

Kokomo Murase of Japan poses with the bronze medal she won in the women's snowboard big air event at the Beijing Olympics during a medal ceremony in Beijing on Feb. 15, 2022.

Snowboarding: Kokomo Murase

Snowboarding: Kokomo Murase

Japan's Kokomo Murase performs en route to winning the women's big air at the snowboard world championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland, on March 26, 2025.

Snowboarding: Kokomo Murase

Snowboarding: Kokomo Murase

Japan's Kokomo Murase performs en route to winning the women's big air at the snowboard world championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland, on March 26, 2025.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan is pictured after finishing her second jump at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan poses for a photo after winning silver at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama (C) of Japan poses for a photo with members of the Japanese team, after winning silver at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

(From L) Nozomi Maruyama of Japan, Eirin Maria Kvandal of Norway and Nika Prevc of Slovakia pose on the podium after respectively winning silver, gold and bronze at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan competes en route to winning silver at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan poses for a photo after winning silver at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan is pictured after finishing his second jump at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan is pictured after finishing his second jump at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan (L) embraces teammate Yukiya Sato after finishing his second jump at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan poses after winning a second straight silver at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Domen Prevc of Slovenia (C) poses after winning a World Cup men's ski jumping gold in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026, alongside silver medalist Ren Nikaido (L) of Japan and bronze medalist Philipp Raimund of Germany.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan is pictured after finishing his second jump at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan poses after winning a second straight silver at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ren Nikaido of Japan competes en route to winning a second straight silver at a World Cup men's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan competes en route to winning bronze at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Jan. 31, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan competes en route to winning silver at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Feb. 1, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan poses for a photo after winning bronze at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Jan. 31, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan acknowledges the crowd after winning bronze at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Jan. 31, 2026.

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Ski jumping: World Cup in Germany

Nozomi Maruyama of Japan acknowledges the crowd after winning bronze at a World Cup women's ski jumping event in Willingen, Germany, on Jan. 31, 2026.

Israeli ambassador to Japan

Israeli ambassador to Japan

Israeli Ambassador to Japan Gilad Cohen speaks during an interview in Tokyo on Jan. 16, 2026.

Israeli ambassador to Japan

Israeli ambassador to Japan

Israeli Ambassador to Japan Gilad Cohen speaks during an interview in Tokyo on Jan. 16, 2026.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi makes a stump speech in Ichinomiya in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Feb. 1, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi makes a stump speech in Ichinomiya in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Feb. 1, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Voters gather for a stump speech by a politician in Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on Feb. 1, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.