Japan PM Takaichi, JIP leader Yoshimura hold talks

Japan PM Takaichi, JIP leader Yoshimura hold talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) and Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura attend a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2025, following their talks on a bill to slash the number of House of Representatives seats by 10 percent.

Japan PM Takaichi, JIP leader Yoshimura hold talks

Japan PM Takaichi, JIP leader Yoshimura hold talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) and Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura attend a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2025, following their talks on a bill to slash the number of House of Representatives seats by 10 percent.

Japan PM Takaichi, JIP leader Yoshimura hold talks

Japan PM Takaichi, JIP leader Yoshimura hold talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) and Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura attend a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2025, following their talks on a bill to slash the number of House of Representatives seats by 10 percent.

Japan PM Takaichi, JIP leader Yoshimura hold talks

Japan PM Takaichi, JIP leader Yoshimura hold talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) and Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura attend a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2025, following their talks on a bill to slash the number of House of Representatives seats by 10 percent.

Japan PM Takaichi, JIP leader Yoshimura hold talks

Japan PM Takaichi, JIP leader Yoshimura hold talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) and Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura shake hands at a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2025, following their talks on a bill to slash the number of House of Representatives seats by 10 percent.

Japan PM Takaichi, JIP leader Yoshimura hold talks

Japan PM Takaichi, JIP leader Yoshimura hold talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) and Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura shake hands at a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2025, following their talks on a bill to slash the number of House of Representatives seats by 10 percent.

Japan PM Takaichi, JIP leader Yoshimura hold talks

Japan PM Takaichi, JIP leader Yoshimura hold talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R, back) and Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura (L) hold talks in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2025, on a bill to slash the number of House of Representatives seats by 10 percent.

Japan PM Takaichi, JIP leader Yoshimura hold talks

Japan PM Takaichi, JIP leader Yoshimura hold talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R, back) and Japan Innovation Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura (L, back) hold talks in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2025, on a bill to slash the number of House of Representatives seats by 10 percent.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a session of the House of Councillors Budget Committee in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a session of the House of Councillors Budget Committee in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi answers a question at a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Dec. 15, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi answers a question at a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Dec. 15, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front) attends a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Dec. 15, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Dec. 15, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a House of Representatives Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Dec. 10, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a House of Representatives Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Dec. 10, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a House of Representatives Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Dec. 10, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a House of Representatives Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Dec. 10, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a House of Representatives Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Dec. 10, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the premier's office in Tokyo on Dec. 9, 2025, after a powerful earthquake struck northeastern Japan the previous night.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the premier's office in Tokyo on Dec. 9, 2025, after a powerful earthquake struck northeastern Japan the previous night.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the premier's office in Tokyo on Dec. 9, 2025, after a powerful earthquake struck northeastern Japan the previous night.

Japan: M7.5 Quake Hits Off Aomori Prefecture, Tsunami Warning Issued

A powerful Magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck offshore at 11:15 PM in Japan, leading to immediate tsunami warnings and evacuation orders for residents. Warnings for waves up to 3 meters (10 ft) were issued for the north-eastern coast, specifically the prefectures of Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate. Tsunamis between 20 and 50 cm (7-18 inches) high were subsequently observed at several ports in the region. Furthermore, authorities are cautioning the public that "there is a possibility of even more powerful tremors." They also urged attention be paid to the potential for a larger subsequent earthquake.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on Dec. 8, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on Dec. 8, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi heads to attend a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on Dec. 8, 2025.

Japan PM visits disaster-hit areas in Ishikawa Pref.

Japan PM visits disaster-hit areas in Ishikawa Pref.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C, L) visits the site of a landslide that was triggered by a powerful earthquake in January 2024 during a visit to the central Japan city of Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Dec. 7, 2025. (Pool photo)

Japan PM visits disaster-hit areas in Ishikawa Pref.

Japan PM visits disaster-hit areas in Ishikawa Pref.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) visits the site of a market that was gutted by a fire following a powerful earthquake in January 2024 during a visit to Wajima in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa on Dec. 7, 2025. (Pool photo)

Japan PM visits disaster-hit areas in Ishikawa Pref.

Japan PM visits disaster-hit areas in Ishikawa Pref.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) visits the site of a market that was gutted by a fire following a powerful earthquake in January 2024 during a visit to Wajima in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa on Dec. 7, 2025. (Pool photo)

Japan PM visits disaster-hit areas in Ishikawa Pref.

Japan PM visits disaster-hit areas in Ishikawa Pref.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) visits temporary housing built after a powerful earthquake in January 2024 during a visit to the central Japan city of Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Dec. 7, 2025. (Pool photo)

Japan PM visits disaster-hit areas in Ishikawa Pref.

Japan PM visits disaster-hit areas in Ishikawa Pref.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) visits temporary housing built after a powerful earthquake in January 2024 during a visit to the central Japan city of Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Dec. 7, 2025. (Pool photo)

Japan PM visits disaster-hit areas in Ishikawa Pref.

Japan PM visits disaster-hit areas in Ishikawa Pref.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) visits the site of a landslide that was triggered by a powerful earthquake in January 2024 during a visit to the central Japan city of Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Dec. 7, 2025. (Pool photo)

Japan PM visits disaster-hit areas in Ishikawa Pref.

Japan PM visits disaster-hit areas in Ishikawa Pref.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) visits the site of a landslide that was triggered by a powerful earthquake in January 2024 during a visit to the central Japan city of Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Dec. 7, 2025. (Pool photo)

Japan PM visits disaster-hit areas in Ishikawa Pref.

Japan PM visits disaster-hit areas in Ishikawa Pref.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) visits the site of a landslide that was triggered by a powerful earthquake in January 2024 during a visit to the central Japan city of Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Dec. 7, 2025. (Pool photo)

Japan PM visits disaster-hit areas in Ishikawa Pref.

Japan PM visits disaster-hit areas in Ishikawa Pref.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi bows at a memorial for the victims of a massive earthquake in January 2024 and torrential rain in September 2024 during a visit to Wajima in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa on Dec. 7, 2025. (Pool photo)

Japan PM visits disaster-hit areas in Ishikawa Pref.

Japan PM visits disaster-hit areas in Ishikawa Pref.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi lays flowers at a memorial for the victims of a massive earthquake in January 2024 and torrential rain in September 2024 during a visit to Wajima in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa on Dec. 7, 2025. (Pool photo)

Japan PM visits disaster-hit areas in Ishikawa Pref.

Japan PM visits disaster-hit areas in Ishikawa Pref.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front) bows at a memorial for the victims of a massive earthquake in January 2024 and torrential rain in September 2024 during a visit to Wajima in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa on Dec. 7, 2025. (Pool photo)

[Breaking News]PM Takaichi's remark tops Japan 2025 catchphrase list

TOKYO, Japan, Dec. 1 Kyodo - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at an award ceremony in Tokyo on Dec. 1, 2025, as her remark "I will work, work, work, work and work" was selected as Japan's top catchphrase for 2025. Takaichi made the remark after winning the leadership election of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Oct. 4. (Kyodo)

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) heads to a Cabinet meeting at her office in Tokyo on Dec. 5, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) waits to attend a Cabinet meeting at her office in Tokyo on Dec. 5, 2025.

Japan PM meets ASEAN entrepreneurs

Japan PM meets ASEAN entrepreneurs

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaishi (C, R) poses for a photo at her office in Tokyo on Dec. 3, 2025, upon meeting with young business leaders from Japan and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Japan PM meets ASEAN entrepreneurs

Japan PM meets ASEAN entrepreneurs

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaishi (C, R) poses for a photo at her office in Tokyo on Dec. 3, 2025, upon meeting with young business leaders from Japan and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Trial of shooter of ex-Japan PM Abe

Trial of shooter of ex-Japan PM Abe

Akie Abe (C), widow of assassinated former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, leaves the Nara District Court in Nara on Dec. 3, 2025, after attending for the first time the trial of Tetsuya Yamagami, indicted for fatally shooting Abe during an election stump speech in the western Japan city in 2022.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on Dec. 3, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi heads to the chamber for a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on Dec. 3, 2025.

Japan PM visits crippled Fukushima plant

Japan PM visits crippled Fukushima plant

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (3rd from R) inspects deserted farmland in an off-limits area in Futaba near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 2, 2025. (Pool photo)

Japan PM visits crippled Fukushima plant

Japan PM visits crippled Fukushima plant

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front, R) inspects deserted farmland in an off-limits area in Futaba near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 2, 2025. (Pool photo)

Japan PM visits crippled Fukushima plant

Japan PM visits crippled Fukushima plant

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front, R) inspects deserted farmland in an off-limits area in Futaba near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 2, 2025. (Pool photo)

Japan PM visits crippled Fukushima plant

Japan PM visits crippled Fukushima plant

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (far R) addresses employees of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant straddling the towns of Okuma and Futaba in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 2, 2025, during her first visit to the crippled plant since taking office in October. (Pool photo)

Japan PM visits crippled Fukushima plant

Japan PM visits crippled Fukushima plant

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (far R) addresses employees of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant straddling the towns of Okuma and Futaba in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 2, 2025, during her first visit to the crippled plant since taking office in October. (Pool photo)