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Pallas's cat kittens in Kobe

Kittens born to a Pallas's cat, widely considered to be the world's oldest living feline species dating back some 6 million years, are shown to the press on July 16, 2026, for the first time since their birth on May 12 at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe, western Japan. The litter of five are set to make their public debut on July 21.

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Pallas's cat kittens in Kobe

Kittens born to a Pallas's cat, widely considered to be the world's oldest living feline species dating back some 6 million years, are shown to the press on July 16, 2026, for the first time since their birth on May 12 at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe, western Japan. The litter of five are set to make their public debut on July 21.

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Pallas's cat kittens in Kobe

Kittens born to a Pallas's cat, widely considered to be the world's oldest living feline species dating back some 6 million years, are shown to the press on July 16, 2026, for the first time since their birth on May 12 at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe, western Japan. The litter of five are set to make their public debut on July 21.

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Pallas's cat kittens in Kobe

Kittens born to a Pallas's cat, widely considered to be the world's oldest living feline species dating back some 6 million years, are shown to the press on July 16, 2026, for the first time since their birth on May 12 at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe, western Japan. The litter of five are set to make their public debut on July 21.

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Football: 2026 World Cup

Parrot Olivia picks up a Japanese flag at Nasu Animal Kingdom in Nasu in Tochigi Prefecture, eastern Japan, on June 11, 2026, predicting Japan will beat Tunisia in their World Cup Group F match.

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Football: 2026 World Cup

Parrot Olivia picks up a Japanese flag at Nasu Animal Kingdom in Nasu in Tochigi Prefecture, eastern Japan, on June 11, 2026, predicting Japan will beat Sweden in their World Cup Group F match.

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Football: 2026 World Cup

Parrot Olivia picks up a Japanese flag at Nasu Animal Kingdom in Nasu in Tochigi Prefecture, eastern Japan, on June 11, 2026, predicting Japan will beat the Netherlands in their World Cup Group F match.

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Japan: White Killer Whale Filmed off Rausu, Hokkaido in Rare Encounter

A rare white killer whale has been spotted off the coast of Rausu, Hokkaido, in northeastern Japan — an exceptionally uncommon sighting even by global standards. The white orca was filmed on Monday, June 8, among a pod of killer whales approximately 3.5 miles (about 6 km) north-northeast of Rausu Port. The animal is believed to be a leucistic individual rather than an albino — leucism results in reduced pigmentation while retaining the ability to produce melanin, unlike albinism, which causes red eyes. The orca's eyes appear dark, which is consistent with leucism.

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Japan: Bear Captured After Series of Sightings in Utsunomiya, North of Tokyo

On Tuesday, June 9, a bear was captured in Utsunomiya, the capital and most populous city of Tochigi Prefecture, located approximately 105 kilometers north of Tokyo, following a series of sightings over the weekend.

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Japan: Deer Calmly Crosses Road at Zebra Crossing Alongside Pedestrians in Nara

On May 9, 2026, in Nara, Japan, a video captured a deer standing at a zebra crossing as people moved across the street around it. Rather than rushing or wandering off, the deer followed the flow of pedestrians and crossed the road in an orderly manner. It paused briefly on the crossing before continuing forward at a relaxed pace, walking beside the crowd as if it understood the traffic rules. The video ended with the deer slowly making its way across the zebra crossing together with the pedestrians.

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Japan: Clever Crows Use Passing Truck to Crack Open Walnut on Road

A crow in Japan dropped a walnut onto a road on May 22, waited for a passing truck to crush it, then flew down with another crow to eat the cracked shell — a striking display of problem-solving behavior.

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Japan: Decomposing Whale Carcass Discovered on Hokkaido Coastline

A dead humpback whale measuring 8 to 10 metres was discovered washed ashore in Samani Town, Hokkaido, Japan, on May 26. The decomposing carcass will be buried nearby, with residents warned to keep away.

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Japan: Horse Breaks Loose at Traditional Soma Nomaoi Festival in Fukushima, Injuring Six 3

Six people were injured after a horse ran wild at the Soma Nomaoi traditional festival in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture on Sunday, May 24. The incident occurred during an armored horseback race when a rider fell from his horse, causing the animal to bolt off the course and collide with spectators near the ticket booth. Around 40,000 people were in attendance at the Hibarigahara festival grounds. The horse was later secured near the venue.

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Japan: Horse Breaks Loose at Traditional Soma Nomaoi Festival in Fukushima, Injuring Six

Six people were injured after a horse ran wild at the Soma Nomaoi traditional festival in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture on Sunday, May 24. The incident occurred during an armored horseback race when a rider fell from his horse, causing the animal to bolt off the course and collide with spectators near the ticket booth. Around 40,000 people were in attendance at the Hibarigahara festival grounds. The horse was later secured near the venue.

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Japan: Horse Breaks Loose at Traditional Soma Nomaoi Festival in Fukushima, Injuring Six 2

Six people were injured after a horse ran wild at the Soma Nomaoi traditional festival in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture on Sunday, May 24. The incident occurred during an armored horseback race when a rider fell from his horse, causing the animal to bolt off the course and collide with spectators near the ticket booth. Around 40,000 people were in attendance at the Hibarigahara festival grounds. The horse was later secured near the venue.

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Japan: Rising Temperatures Bring Surge in Bear Sightings Near Residential Areas 2

As spring temperatures rose, bears in Japan emerged from hibernation and ventured closer to human settlements in search of food, with sightings reported one after another, prompting authorities to urge residents to stay alert. This video was captured in Joetsu, Niigata on May 13, 2026.

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Japan: Rising Temperatures Bring Surge in Bear Sightings Near Residential Areas

As spring temperatures rose, bears in Japan emerged from hibernation and ventured closer to human settlements in search of food, with sightings reported one after another, prompting authorities to urge residents to stay alert. This video was captured at Natsui Community Center in Iwate on Friday, May 15.

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Japan: Bears Spotted Near Residential Areas as Spring Temperatures Rise

As spring temperatures rose, bears in Japan emerged from hibernation and ventured closer to human settlements in search of food, prompting authorities to urge residents to stay alert. This video was captured at "Inori no Sato Aizumura", a religious and tourist site in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima, on Thursday, May 7.

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Japan: Bear Spotted at Golf Course in Fukushima

A wild bear was spotted at a golf course in Fukushima Prefecture on Sunday, May 3.

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Japan: Nara’s Wild Deer Spotted Eating Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom

Cherry blossoms in Nara Prefecture are in full bloom, and deer were seen enjoying the blossoms on Sunday, April 5. In Nara Park, where over 1,000 wild sika deer considered sacred in Shinto tradition freely roam, deer are frequently spotted in spring eating fallen cherry blossom petals from the ground as well as flowers blooming directly on the branches. According to the filmer, deer standing on their hind legs to feed is a rare sight even in Nara Park.

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Japan: Two Ducks Glide Through Carpet of Cherry Blossoms on Kyoto’s Philosopher’s Walk

Two ducks were spotted gliding through a hanaikada — a "flower raft" of fallen cherry blossom petals — on the canal along Kyoto's Philosopher's Walk. The phenomenon occurs when petals shed from the canal's cherry trees settle on the water's surface, forming a continuous pink carpet. The Philosopher's Walk is one of Kyoto's most celebrated spring destinations, with hundreds of cherry trees lining its approximately two-kilometer path.

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Japan: Crows Ruin Rapunzel’s Hair at Tokyo DisneySea

A shocking incident was witnessed at Tokyo DisneySea on April 1, as a couple of crows repeatedly pulled at the hair of a Rapunzel statue at the Rapunzel's Lantern Festival attraction, inspired by the movie Tangled. Despite the relentless pecking leaving her hair disheveled, the Rapunzel figure continued singing atop her tower, creating a surreal and oddly amusing scene. Some visitors expressed sympathy for the statue.

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Japan: Deer Spotted Roaming Across Osaka City Streets

A deer has been repeatedly sighted at multiple locations across Osaka since March 21, puzzling residents and passersby. The animal has been spotted wandering through urban areas of the city, sparking concern among local authorities. It remains unclear how the deer entered the city center.

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Japan: Baby Macaque “Punch” Wins Hearts After Finding Comfort in Plush Surrogacy 2

A six-month-old Japanese macaque named Punch at Ichikawa City Zoo has gained attention in Japan and abroad. After being rejected by his first-time mother, he was hand-raised by staff and often clung to an orangutan plush toy as a surrogate comfort, touching many hearts. Even after rejoining the troop, he kept the toy for a while, but he is gradually bonding with other monkeys and growing stronger. On social media, the hashtag “#GoPunch” has spread, with visitors continuing to cheer him on.

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Japan: Baby Macaque “Punch” Wins Hearts After Finding Comfort in Plush Surrogacy

A six-month-old Japanese macaque named Punch at Ichikawa City Zoo has gained attention in Japan and abroad. After being rejected by his first-time mother, he was hand-raised by staff and often clung to an orangutan plush toy as a surrogate comfort, touching many hearts. Even after rejoining the troop, he kept the toy for a while, but he is gradually bonding with other monkeys and growing stronger. On social media, the hashtag “#GoPunch” has spread, with visitors continuing to cheer him on.

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Japan: Tokyo’s Beloved Panda Twins Depart for China Amid Fan Farewell

Twin giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, born and raised at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo, departed for their return to China on Tuesday, January 27. As the two pandas left Ueno Zoo by truck in the afternoon, heading to Narita Airport, hundreds of fans gathered along the sidewalk near the zoo to see them off.

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Japan: Deer Casually Cross Nara Marathon Course, Delighting Spectators

At the Nara Marathon held on Saturday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14, unique scenes rarely seen at any other marathon around the world were captured. As thousands of runners sped through the historic streets of the ancient capital, they were quietly watched by deer that live in Nara Park. Some deer casually wandered onto the course as runners passed by, creating heartwarming moments for spectators.

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Japan: Woman Uses Comb Sound to Captivate Dolphins at Osaka Aquarium

On October 9, 2025, in Osaka, Japan, the video captured a young Chinese woman gently brushing a fine-toothed comb near the dolphin pool. Drawn to the unusual sound, two dolphins swam over, curiously hovering near the glass and following the movement of the comb. The woman laughed as she continued making the sound, creating a charming interaction between human and marine life that delighted visitors watching nearby.

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Japan: Bear Incidents Spike in Northern Regions Ahead of Hibernation Season 5

Bear incidents have been increasing in northern Japan. Between April 2025 and March 2026, seven people were killed, marking the highest number of fatalities since records began in 2006. Bears become more active in the autumn before hibernation, so the Ministry of the Environment is urging people to exercise caution.

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Japan: Bear Incidents Spike in Northern Regions Ahead of Hibernation Season 4

Bear incidents have been increasing in northern Japan. Between April 2025 and March 2026, seven people were killed, marking the highest number of fatalities since records began in 2006. Bears become more active in the autumn before hibernation, so the Ministry of the Environment is urging people to exercise caution.

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Japan: Bear Incidents Spike in Northern Regions Ahead of Hibernation Season 3

Bear incidents have been increasing in northern Japan. Between April 2025 and March 2026, seven people were killed, marking the highest number of fatalities since records began in 2006. Bears become more active in the autumn before hibernation, so the Ministry of the Environment is urging people to exercise caution. This video was shot in Shari, Hokkaido on October 16.

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Japan: Bear Incidents Spike in Northern Regions Ahead of Hibernation Season

A wild bear was spotted running on the sidewalk in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture on Thursday, October 16. Bear incidents have been increasing in northern Japan. Between April 2025 and March 2026, seven people were killed, marking the highest number of fatalities since records began in 2006. Bears become more active in the autumn before hibernation, so the Ministry of the Environment is urging people to exercise caution.

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Japan: Wild Bear Spotted on Roadside in Southern Hokkaido

A wild bear was seen eating grass by the roadside in Kaminokuni, in southern Hokkaido, on Monday, September 15.

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Japan: Bear Sightings Surge Across Country, Fatalities Reported 2

Japan recorded 55 bear attacks between April and July 2025, leaving three people dead and dozens injured. Authorities say sightings have surged nationwide, including 154 cases in Tokyo by August 21, as a growing Asiatic black bear population increasingly pushes into towns and cities. This vides shows a bear spotted in Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture, northeast Japan on August 12, 2025.

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Japan: Bear Sightings Surge Across Country, Fatalities Reported

Japan recorded 55 bear attacks between April and July 2025, leaving three people dead and dozens injured. Authorities say sightings have surged nationwide, including 154 cases in Tokyo by August 21, as a growing Asiatic black bear population increasingly pushes into towns and cities. This vides shows a bear spotted in Taiwa, Miyagi Prefecture, northeast Japan on August 15, 2025.

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Petunia flowers in full bloom at eastern Japan park

"Momoiro Toiki" pink flowers, an improved petunia variety, are in full bloom at Mother Farm flower and animal park in Futtsu in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Aug. 17, 2025.

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Petunia flowers in full bloom at eastern Japan park

"Momoiro Toiki" pink flowers, an improved petunia variety, are in full bloom at Mother Farm flower and animal park in Futtsu in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Aug. 17, 2025.

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Petunia flowers in full bloom at eastern Japan park

"Momoiro Toiki" pink flowers, an improved petunia variety, are in full bloom at Mother Farm flower and animal park in Futtsu in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Aug. 17, 2025.

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Petunia flowers in full bloom at eastern Japan park

"Momoiro Toiki" pink flowers, an improved petunia variety, are in full bloom at Mother Farm flower and animal park in Futtsu in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Aug. 17, 2025.

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Meerkat at Kobe zoo

Photo taken on May 7, 2025, shows a meerkat at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe, western Japan.

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Meerkat at Kobe zoo

Photo taken on May 7, 2025, shows a meerkat at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe, western Japan.

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Meerkats at Kobe zoo

Photo taken on May 7, 2025, show meerkats at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe, western Japan.

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Meerkats at Kobe zoo

Photo taken on May 7, 2025, show meerkats at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe, western Japan.

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Azara's agouti at Kobe zoo

Photo taken on May 7, 2025, shows an Azara's agouti at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe, western Japan.

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Azara's agouti at Kobe zoo

Photo taken on May 7, 2025, shows an Azara's agouti at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe, western Japan.

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Azara's agouti at Kobe zoo

Photo taken on May 7, 2025, shows an Azara's agouti at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe, western Japan.

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Capybara at Kobe zoo

Photo taken on May 7, 2025, shows a capybara at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe, western Japan.

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Capybara at Kobe zoo

Photo taken on May 7, 2025, shows a capybara at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe, western Japan.

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Capybara at Kobe zoo

Photo taken on May 7, 2025, shows a capybara at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe, western Japan.

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Japan: Duck Family Guided by Police Crossing Road in Obihiro, Hokkaido

A family of spot-billed ducks was spotted being targeted by a crow on a busy road in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Thursday, May 8. The police soon arrived at the scene after receiving a call and guided the ducky family crossing the road safely and heading to the nearby Obihiro River.