Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

The annual Geminid meteor shower peaks over Cape Toi in Kushima, Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, in the early hours of Dec. 15, 2025, with shooting stars lighting up the night sky.

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

The annual Geminid meteor shower peaks over Cape Toi in Kushima, Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 14, 2025, with shooting stars lighting up the night sky.

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

The annual Geminid meteor shower peaks over Cape Toi in Kushima, Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 14, 2025, with shooting stars lighting up the night sky.

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

The annual Geminid meteor shower peaks over Cape Toi in Kushima, Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 14, 2025, with shooting stars lighting up the night sky.

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

The annual Geminid meteor shower peaks over Cape Toi in Kushima, Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 14, 2025, with shooting stars lighting up the night sky.

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

Composite photo shows shooting stars lighting up the night sky over Minamiboso, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 14, 2025, as the annual Geminid meteor shower peaks.

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

Composite photo shows shooting stars lighting up the night sky over Cape Toi in Kushima, Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 14, 2025, as the annual Geminid meteor shower peaks.

Star Explosion Reveals New Space Ingredients

Star Explosion Reveals New Space Ingredients

Handout - Scientists have spotted chlorine and potassium hiding inside the remains of a blown-up star for the first time. Using Japan’s XRISM space telescope, they found these elements inside the giant cloud of debris left behind by the supernova called Cassiopeia A. The explosion happened about 11,000 light-years from Earth, but it is still giving up new secrets today. The find shows how stars don’t just light up the sky, they also make many of the elements that help build planets and life. Even long after a star explodes, it can still teach us something new about the universe. This discovery was published in a scientific paper on December 4 this year, and the image was released on January 28, 2024, using data from NASA’s Chandra telescope along with Hubble, Webb and Spitzer. Photo by Image credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Optical: NASA/ESA/STScI; IR: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI/Milisavljevic et al., NASA/JPL/CalTech; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/J. Schmidt and K. Arcand via ABACAPRESS.COM

Trump in Japan

Trump in Japan

Tokyo Tower is lit in the colors of the stars and stripes on Oct. 27, 2025, to mark U.S. President Donald Trump's arrival in the capital for a three-day trip to Japan.

Trump in Japan

Trump in Japan

Tokyo Tower is lit in the colors of the stars and stripes on Oct. 27, 2025, to mark U.S. President Donald Trump's arrival in the capital for a three-day trip to Japan.

Trump in Japan

Trump in Japan

Tokyo Tower is lit up in red, white and blue -- the colors of the Stars and Stripes flag -- on Oct. 27, 2025, as U.S. President Donald Trump arrives in Tokyo, on the second leg of his nearly weeklong, three-nation trip to Asia, which began in Malaysia.

Comet Lemmon

Comet Lemmon

Comet Lemmon shines among the stars in the night sky over the town of Urahoro in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Oct. 19, 2025.

Comet Lemmon

Comet Lemmon

Comet Lemmon shines among the stars in the night sky over the town of Urahoro in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Oct. 19, 2025.

Comet Lemmon

Comet Lemmon

Comet Lemmon shines among the stars in the night sky over the town of Urahoro in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Oct. 19, 2025.

Comet Lemmon

Comet Lemmon

Comet Lemmon shines among the stars in the night sky over the town of Urahoro in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Oct. 19, 2025.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

Composite photo taken on the night of Aug. 12, 2025, into the early hours of the following day shows multiple shooting stars observed in the sky over Tomamae in Hokkaido, northern Japan, as the annual summer Perseid meteor shower peaks.

Japan: Annual Geminid Meteor Shower Reaches Its Peak 5

The Geminid meteor shower peaks annually around mid-December, and this year, the best viewing time is expected to be around Friday, December 13.

Japan: Annual Geminid Meteor Shower Reaches Its Peak 2

The Geminid meteor shower peaks annually around mid-December, and this year, the best viewing time is expected to be around Friday, December 13.

Japan: Annual Geminid Meteor Shower Reaches Its Peak 3

The Geminid meteor shower peaks annually around mid-December, and this year, the best viewing time is expected to be around Friday, December 13.

Japan: Annual Geminid Meteor Shower Reaches Its Peak 4

The Geminid meteor shower peaks annually around mid-December, and this year, the best viewing time is expected to be around Friday, December 13.

Japan: Annual Geminid Meteor Shower Reaches Its Peak

The Geminid meteor shower peaks annually around mid-December, and this year, the best viewing time is expected to be around Friday, December 13.

Japan: Perseid Meteor Shower Observed Across Country 3

The Perseid meteor shower reached its peak on Monday night, August 12, and many shooting stars were observed across Japan.

Japan: Perseid Meteor Shower Observed Across Country 2

The Perseid meteor shower reached its peak on Monday night, August 12, and many shooting stars were observed across Japan.

Japan: Perseid Meteor Shower Observed Across Country

The Perseid meteor shower reached its peak on Monday night, August 12, and many shooting stars were observed across Japan.

Perseid meteor shower

Perseid meteor shower

Composite photo taken from the night of Aug. 12, 2024, to the early hours of the following day shows shooting stars during the Perseid meteor shower as observed in Nagato in the western Japan prefecture of Yamaguchi.

10th anniv. of luxury excursion train Seven Stars in Kyushu

10th anniv. of luxury excursion train Seven Stars in Kyushu

Kyushu Railway Co. adviser Koji Karaike speaks during a ceremony held at JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 14, 2023, ahead of a commemorative ride of the Seven Stars in Kyushu luxury sleeping car excursion train marking the 10th anniversary of the start of its commercial service.

10th anniv. of luxury excursion train "Seven Stars in Kyushu"

10th anniv. of luxury excursion train "Seven Stars in Kyushu"

A ceremony is held at JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 14, 2023, ahead of a commemorative ride of the Seven Stars in Kyushu luxury sleeping car excursion train to mark the 10th anniversary of the start of its commercial service.

Gay draped in flag after claiming gold double with title in 200

Gay draped in flag after claiming gold double with title in 200

OSAKA, Japan - American Tyson Gay drapes himself with the Stars and Stripes after snatching a second gold medal with a victory in the men's 200 meters at the athletics world championships in Osaka on Aug. 30. Gay, who clocked 19.76 seconds in the 200, won the 100 title in 9.85 on Aug. 26. (Pool photo)

'King Kazu' bags 2 goals in Kobe charity match

'King Kazu' bags 2 goals in Kobe charity match

KOBE, Japan - Former Japan international Kazuyoshi Miura, currently playing for second-division Yokohama FC, scores a goal in a charity game in Kobe, western Japan, on Jan. 17, 2015, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995. Miura, nicknamed "King Kazu," bagged two goals to lead his side "Kobe Dreams" to a 3-2 win over "Japan Stars."

Asada stages year's 1st public performance on ice

Asada stages year's 1st public performance on ice

OSAKA, Japan - Japanese three-time world figure skating champion Mao Asada makes her first public performance this year during a "Stars on Ice" show in Osaka, western Japan, on Jan. 10, 2015.

Asada makes year's 1st public appearance on ice

Asada makes year's 1st public appearance on ice

OSAKA, Japan - Japanese three-time world figure skating champion Mao Asada performs during a "Stars on Ice" show in Osaka, western Japan, on Jan. 10, 2015, in her first public appearance this year.

Shooting star luminary at Tottori Sand Dunes Illusion

Shooting star luminary at Tottori Sand Dunes Illusion

TOTTORI, Japan - The Tottori Sand Dunes Illusion includes a luminary tower (L) which reflects the image of shooting stars as an annual event starts in Tottori in the western Japanese prefecture facing the Japan Sea on Dec. 13, 2014.

Japanese, U.S. tennis stars play charity match

Japanese, U.S. tennis stars play charity match

TOKYO, Japan - Current and past Japanese and U.S. tennis stars play a doubles game at Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo on Nov. 22, 2014, as part of a charity event to support reconstruction work in the northeastern Japan region of Tohoku ravaged by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster. (From L) Michael Chang, Andrei Agassi, Kei Nishikori and Shuzo Matsuoka.

Japan vs MLB All-Stars friendly game in Okinawa

Japan vs MLB All-Stars friendly game in Okinawa

NAHA, Japan - The MLB All-Stars' Evan Longoria hits a homer over the left fence off Japan's pitcher Takahiro Matsuba in the fifth inning of their friendly baseball game at Okinawa Cellular Stadium in Naha, Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture, on Nov. 20, 2014.

Japan vs MLB All-Stars friendly game in Okinawa

Japan vs MLB All-Stars friendly game in Okinawa

NAHA, Japan - Japan's Ryosuke Kikuchi scores past MLB All-Stars catcher Drew Butera on a triple hit by Yoshihiro Maru in the fifth inning of their friendly baseball game at Okinawa Cellular Stadium in Naha, Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture, on Nov. 20, 2014.

Japan vs MLB All-Stars friendly game in Okinawa

Japan vs MLB All-Stars friendly game in Okinawa

NAHA, Japan - The MLB All-Stars' Evan Longoria hits a homer over the left fence off Japan's pitcher Takahiro Matsuba in the fifth inning of their friendly baseball game at Okinawa Cellular Stadium in Naha, Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture, on Nov. 20, 2014.

Japan vs MLB All-Stars friendly game in Okinawa

Japan vs MLB All-Stars friendly game in Okinawa

NAHA, Japan - Japan's pitcher Takahiro Matsuba watches a homer hit by the MLB All-Stars' Evan Longoria in the fifth inning of their friendly baseball game at Okinawa Cellular Stadium in Naha, Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture, on Nov. 20, 2014.

Japan vs MLB All-Stars friendly game in Okinawa

Japan vs MLB All-Stars friendly game in Okinawa

NAHA, Japan - Japan's Yoshihiro Maru hits an RBI triple off MLB All-Starts pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada in the fifth inning of their friendly baseball game at Okinawa Cellular Stadium in Naha, Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture, on Nov. 20, 2014.

Japan vs MLB All-Stars friendly game in Okinawa

Japan vs MLB All-Stars friendly game in Okinawa

NAHA, Japan - Japan starter Shota Takeda pitches against MLB All-Stars in their friendly baseball game at Okinawa Cellular Stadium in Naha, Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture, on Nov. 20, 2014.

Japan vs MLB All-Stars friendly game in Okinawa

Japan vs MLB All-Stars friendly game in Okinawa

NAHA, Japan - MLB All-Stars starter Hector Santiago pitches against Japan in their friendly baseball game at Okinawa Cellular Stadium in Naha, Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture, on Nov. 20, 2014.

Japan vs MLB All-Stars friendly game in Okinawa

Japan vs MLB All-Stars friendly game in Okinawa

NAHA, Japan - The MLB All-Stars Justin Morneau hits a sacrifice fly off Japan's starter Shota Takeda (L) in the first inning of their friendly baseball game at Okinawa Cellular Stadium in Naha, Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture, on Nov. 20, 2014. At right is Japan's catcher Hikaru Ito.

Japan vs MLB All-Stars friendly game in Okinawa

Japan vs MLB All-Stars friendly game in Okinawa

NAHA, Japan - Japan's starting pitcher Shota Takeda watches a sacrifice fly hit by MLB All-Stars Justin Morneau in the first inning of their friendly baseball game at Okinawa Cellular Stadium in Naha, Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture, on Nov. 20, 2014.

MLB team praises Otani's potential

MLB team praises Otani's potential

TOKYO, Japan - The Nippon Ham Fighter's Shohei Otani pitches against the Major League Baseball All-Stars at Sapporo Dome in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Nov. 18, 2014, in the last game of the five-game series. The MLB All-Stars manager and players were impressed with his pitching and potential.

Managers of MLB, Samurai Japan visit Shuri Castle

Managers of MLB, Samurai Japan visit Shuri Castle

NAHA, Japan - Major League Baseball All-Stars manager John Farrell (3rd from L), Samurai Japan manger Hiroki Kokubo (3rd from R) and some of their players pose for a photo at Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, on Nov. 19, 2014, on the eve of an exhibition game between Japan and an MLB team.

Renowned actor Ken Takakura dies at 83

Renowned actor Ken Takakura dies at 83

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in February 1959 shows Japanese actor Ken Takakura (L) and singer Chiemi Eri during their wedding reception at a Tokyo hotel. The couple divorced in 1971. Takakura, winner of multiple Japanese Academy Awards and one of the country's most recognized film stars, died on Nov. 10, 2014, at a Tokyo hospital, his office said Nov. 18. He was 83.

Renowned actor Ken Takakura dies at 83

Renowned actor Ken Takakura dies at 83

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken in December 2011 shows Japanese actor Ken Takakura. Takakura, winner of multiple Japanese Academy Awards and one of the country's most recognized film stars, died on Nov. 10, 2014, at a Tokyo hospital, his office said Nov. 18. He was 83.

MLB All-Stars beat Japan 6-1 in Game 4

MLB All-Stars beat Japan 6-1 in Game 4

TOKYO, Japan - The MLB All-Stars' Evan Longoria hits a homer in the sixth inning of Game 4 of an exhibition series against Japan at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on Nov. 16, 2014.

MLB All-Stars beat Japan 6-1 in Game 4

MLB All-Stars beat Japan 6-1 in Game 4

TOKYO, Japan - The MLB All-Stars' Jose Altuve steals second base in the fifth inning of Game 4 of an exhibition series against at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on Nov. 16, 2014.

MLB All-Stars beat Japan 6-1 in Game 4

MLB All-Stars beat Japan 6-1 in Game 4

TOKYO, Japan - MLB All-Stars right fielder Yasiel Puing jumps to catch a fly by Japan's Yoshimoto Tsutsugo in the fourth inning of Game 4 of an exhibition series at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on Nov. 16, 2014.

MLB All-Stars beat Japan 6-1 in Game 4

MLB All-Stars beat Japan 6-1 in Game 4

TOKYO, Japan - The MLB All-Stars' Justin Morneau (R) is congratulated by MLB All-Stars manager John Farrrell (C) after hitting a three-run homer off Japan starting pitcher Shintaro Fujinami in the third inning of Game 4 of an exhibition series at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on Nov. 16, 2014.