G20 finance meeting in U.S.

G20 finance meeting in U.S.

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama (L) and Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda attend a press conference following the conclusion of a two-day meeting of the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Asheville, North Carolina, on Sept. 1, 2026.

G20 finance meeting in U.S.

G20 finance meeting in U.S.

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda holds a press conference following the conclusion of a two-day meeting of the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Asheville, North Carolina, on Sept. 1, 2026.

Traditional dance festival in Toyama

Traditional dance festival in Toyama

Women wearing straw hats dance to the music of stringed instruments in Toyama, central Japan, on Sept. 1, 2026, the first day of the three-day Owara Kaze-no-Bon festival dating back some 300 years.

Traditional dance festival in Toyama

Traditional dance festival in Toyama

Women wearing straw hats dance to the music of stringed instruments in Toyama, central Japan, on Sept. 1, 2026, the first day of the three-day Owara Kaze-no-Bon festival dating back some 300 years.

Traditional dance festival in Toyama

Traditional dance festival in Toyama

Women wearing straw hats dance to the music of stringed instruments in Toyama, central Japan, on Sept. 1, 2026, the first day of the three-day Owara Kaze-no-Bon festival dating back some 300 years.

G20 finance meeting in North Carolina

G20 finance meeting in North Carolina

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama (C) and Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda (R) attend the first day of a two-day meeting of the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Asheville, North Carolina, on Aug. 31, 2026.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

A man stands in an inundated area in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 31, 2026, following torrential rain the previous day.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

People stand in an inundated residential area in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 31, 2026, following torrential rain the previous day.

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi is pictured before holding a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 21, 2026. Earlier in the day, Japan hanged Sunao Takami, who was convicted of killing five people in an arson attack on a pachinko parlor in the western Japanese city of Osaka in 2009.

[Breaking News]N. Korea fires ballistic missile

TOKYO, Japan, Aug. 12 Kyodo - Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi meets the press at his ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 12, 2026, after North Korea fired at least one ballistic missile earlier in the day. (Kyodo)

Summer lantern event at Kyoto temple

Summer lantern event at Kyoto temple

Lanterns illuminate the grounds of Higashi Honganji, a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, western Japan, on Aug. 14, 2026, the opening day of the three-day summer event called "Mantoue." Some 10,000 lanterns are featured in the 65th event with about 40,000 people expected to visit.

Summer lantern event at Kyoto temple

Summer lantern event at Kyoto temple

Lanterns illuminate the grounds of Higashi Honganji, a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, western Japan, on Aug. 14, 2026, the opening day of the three-day summer event called "Mantoue." Some 10,000 lanterns are featured in the 65th event with about 40,000 people expected to visit.

Summer lantern event at Kyoto temple

Summer lantern event at Kyoto temple

Lanterns illuminate the grounds of Higashi Honganji, a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, western Japan, on Aug. 14, 2026, the opening day of the three-day summer event called "Mantoue." Some 10,000 lanterns are featured in the 65th event with about 40,000 people expected to visit.

Kyushu Expressway fully reopens

Kyushu Expressway fully reopens

Photo taken on Aug. 14, 2026, shows the Kyusyu Expressway near an interchange in Yatsushiro in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto. It fully reopened the same day after a hiatus due to the July 28 earthquake that struck the region.

Kyushu Expressway fully reopens

Kyushu Expressway fully reopens

Photo taken on Aug. 14, 2026, shows the Kyusyu Expressway near an interchange in Yatsushiro in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto. It fully reopened the same day after a hiatus due to the July 28 earthquake that struck the region.

Japan provides mine-detection system to Ukraine

Japan provides mine-detection system to Ukraine

Photo taken in Kyiv on Aug. 13, 2026, shows the mine-detection system Japan is to provide to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine via the Japan International Cooperation Agency. A ceremony to commemorate the handing over of the system, operated using Ukraine-made drones, was held there the same day.

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolay Nozdrev leaves the Japanese Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, after receiving an official protest from Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi over Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido.

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolay Nozdrev (far R) leaves the Japanese Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, after receiving an official protest from Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi over Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido.

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolay Nozdrev (C) enters the Japanese Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, after Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned him following Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido.

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolay Nozdrev (L) enters the Japanese Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, after Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned him following Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido.

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (R) meets the press at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, after he summoned Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolay Nozdrev and lodged a strong protest over Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido.

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido "totally unacceptable."

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido "totally unacceptable."

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido "totally unacceptable."

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido "totally unacceptable."

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido "totally unacceptable."

Quake-hit Kumamoto Castle reopens to public

Quake-hit Kumamoto Castle reopens to public

Visitors head to the donjon of Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 13, 2026, as the castle reopens to the public the same day following a hiatus in the wake of a powerful earthquake that struck the region on July 28.

Quake-hit Kumamoto Castle reopens to public

Quake-hit Kumamoto Castle reopens to public

Visitors head to the donjon of Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 13, 2026, as the castle reopens to the public the same day following a hiatus in the wake of a powerful earthquake that struck the region on July 28.

Quake-hit Kumamoto Castle reopens to public

Quake-hit Kumamoto Castle reopens to public

Visitors head to the donjon of Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 13, 2026, as the castle reopens to the public the same day following a hiatus in the wake of a powerful earthquake that struck the region on July 28.

Quake-hit Kumamoto Castle reopens to public

Quake-hit Kumamoto Castle reopens to public

Visitors head to the donjon of Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 13, 2026, as the castle reopens to the public the same day following a hiatus in the wake of a powerful earthquake that struck the region on July 28.

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Awa dance festival in western Japan

People join the "Niwaka-ren" impromptu dance group during the Awa Odori folk dance festival in Tokushima, western Japan, on Aug. 12, 2026, the second day of the five-day event.

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Awa dance festival in western Japan

People join the "Niwaka-ren" impromptu dance group during the Awa Odori folk dance festival in Tokushima, western Japan, on Aug. 12, 2026, the second day of the five-day event.

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform during the Awa Odori folk dance festival in Tokushima, western Japan, on Aug. 12, 2026, the second day of the five-day event, as leading dance troupes parade through the city.

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform during the Awa Odori folk dance festival in Tokushima, western Japan, on Aug. 12, 2026, the second day of the five-day event, as leading dance troupes parade through the city.

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform during the Awa Odori folk dance festival in Tokushima, western Japan, on Aug. 12, 2026, the second day of the five-day event, as leading dance troupes parade through the city.

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform during the Awa Odori folk dance festival in Tokushima, western Japan, on Aug. 12, 2026, the second day of the five-day event, as leading dance troupes parade through the city.

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Dancers perform during the Awa Odori folk dance festival in Tokushima, western Japan, on Aug. 12, 2026, the second day of the five-day event, as leading dance troupes parade through the city.

U.N. disarmament chief Nakamitsu in Nagasaki

U.N. disarmament chief Nakamitsu in Nagasaki

U.N. high representative for disarmament affairs Izumi Nakamitsu meets the press following a dialogue with young people held at the Nagasaki prefectural government office in Nagasaki on Aug. 10, 2026, a day after the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the southwestern Japan city in World War II.

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Select members of Awa Odori traditional folk dance teams perform on the stage of a hall in Tokushima, western Japan, on Aug. 11, 2026, ahead of a four-day street dancing starting on Aug. 12.

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Awa dance festival in western Japan

Select members of Awa Odori traditional folk dance teams perform on the stage of a hall in Tokushima, western Japan, on Aug. 11, 2026, ahead of a four-day street dancing starting on Aug. 12.

Sony unit, TSMC to invest 747 bil. yen in next-gen sensors

Sony unit, TSMC to invest 747 bil. yen in next-gen sensors

Photo taken on Aug. 11, 2026, shows the logo of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. at a TSMC factory in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Sony Group Corp.'s chip unit, Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corp., said the same day it will begin mass production of next-generation image sensors with TSMC in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture in 2029, with the two companies investing a combined 747 billion yen ($4.7 billion).

Sony unit, TSMC to invest 747 bil. yen in next-gen sensors

Sony unit, TSMC to invest 747 bil. yen in next-gen sensors

Photo taken on Aug. 11, 2026, shows the logo of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. at a TSMC factory in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Sony Group Corp.'s chip unit, Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corp., said the same day it will begin mass production of next-generation image sensors with TSMC in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture in 2029, with the two companies investing a combined 747 billion yen ($4.7 billion).

Sony unit, TSMC to invest 747 bil. yen in next-gen sensors

Sony unit, TSMC to invest 747 bil. yen in next-gen sensors

Photo taken on Aug. 11, 2026, shows the logo of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. at a TSMC factory in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Sony Group Corp.'s chip unit, Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corp., said the same day it will begin mass production of next-generation image sensors with TSMC in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture in 2029, with the two companies investing a combined 747 billion yen ($4.7 billion).

Sony unit, TSMC to invest 747 bil. yen in next-gen sensors

Sony unit, TSMC to invest 747 bil. yen in next-gen sensors

Photo taken on Aug. 11, 2026, shows the logo of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. at a TSMC factory in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Sony Group Corp.'s chip unit, Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corp., said the same day it will begin mass production of next-generation image sensors with TSMC in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture in 2029, with the two companies investing a combined 747 billion yen ($4.7 billion).

Sony unit, TSMC to invest 747 bil. yen in next-gen sensors

Sony unit, TSMC to invest 747 bil. yen in next-gen sensors

Photo taken on Aug. 11, 2026, shows the logo of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. at a TSMC factory in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Sony Group Corp.'s chip unit, Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corp., said the same day it will begin mass production of next-generation image sensors with TSMC in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture in 2029, with the two companies investing a combined 747 billion yen ($4.7 billion).

Sony unit, TSMC to invest 747 bil. yen in next-gen sensors

Sony unit, TSMC to invest 747 bil. yen in next-gen sensors

Photo taken on Aug. 11, 2026, shows the logo of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. at a TSMC factory in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Sony Group Corp.'s chip unit, Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corp., said the same day it will begin mass production of next-generation image sensors with TSMC in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture in 2029, with the two companies investing a combined 747 billion yen ($4.7 billion).

A-bomb survivors' group marks 70th anniv. of founding

A-bomb survivors' group marks 70th anniv. of founding

Terumi Tanaka, co-chair of 2024 Nobel Peace Prize winner Nihon Hidankyo, Japan's leading organization of atomic bomb survivors, holds a press conference in Nagasaki on Aug. 10, 2026, to mark the 70th anniversary of the organization's founding. The group was inaugurated on Aug. 10, 1956 -- a day after Nagasaki marked the 11th anniversary of its U.S. atomic bombing -- when the second world anti-nuclear weapons conference was taking place in the southwestern Japan city.

A-bomb survivors' group marks 70th anniv. of founding

A-bomb survivors' group marks 70th anniv. of founding

Shigemitsu Tanaka, co-chair of 2024 Nobel Peace Prize winner Nihon Hidankyo, Japan's leading organization of atomic bomb survivors, holds a press conference in Nagasaki on Aug. 10, 2026, to mark the 70th anniversary of the organization's founding. The group was inaugurated on Aug. 10, 1956 -- a day after Nagasaki marked the 11th anniversary of its U.S. atomic bombing -- when the second world anti-nuclear weapons conference was taking place in the southwestern Japan city.

Pokemon-themed spots on quake-hit Noto Peninsula

Pokemon-themed spots on quake-hit Noto Peninsula

A Pokemon-themed statue at a scenic spot in Suzu in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, is pictured on July 7, 2026. The statue is part of efforts to revitalize the Noto Peninsula after a powerful earthquake on New Year's Day in 2024 and heavy rain later that year.

Pokemon-themed spots on quake-hit Noto Peninsula

Pokemon-themed spots on quake-hit Noto Peninsula

A Pokemon-themed statue at a scenic spot in Suzu in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, is pictured on July 7, 2026. The statue is part of efforts to revitalize the Noto Peninsula after a powerful earthquake on New Year's Day in 2024 and heavy rain later that year.