Japan defense minister visits Okinawa Pref.

Japan defense minister visits Okinawa Pref.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (front) looks at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from the rooftop of the Ginowan city government building in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa on Jan. 8, 2026.

Japan defense minister visits Okinawa Pref.

Japan defense minister visits Okinawa Pref.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (front) looks at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from the rooftop of the Ginowan city government building in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa on Jan. 8, 2026.

Symposium on N. Korea's abductions

TOKYO, Japan, Dec. 14 Kyodo - Takuya Yokota, head of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, speaks at a government-sponsored symposium on the issue in Tokyo on Dec. 13, 2025. He called for the early return of abductees including his older sister Megumi, who was abducted by North Korea in 1977 aged 13. (Kyodo)

Travel company outlet in Beijing

Travel company outlet in Beijing

Photo taken on Dec. 25, 2025, shows brochures for various travel destinations at a travel agency outlet in Beijing. No brochures on Japan are available at the outlet as the Chinese government has asked people to refrain from traveling to Japan following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments on Taiwan.

Travel company outlet in Beijing

Travel company outlet in Beijing

Photo taken on Dec. 25, 2025, shows brochures for various travel destinations at a travel agency outlet in Beijing. No brochures on Japan are available at the outlet as the Chinese government has asked people to refrain from traveling to Japan following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments on Taiwan.

Travel company outlet in Beijing

Travel company outlet in Beijing

Photo taken on Dec. 25, 2025, shows posters for various travel destinations at a travel agency outlet in Beijing. No posters introducing Japan are seen at the outlet as the Chinese government has asked people to refrain from traveling to Japan following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments on Taiwan.

Japan government's growth strategy meeting

Japan government's growth strategy meeting

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (3rd from front) speaks during a meeting of a government council to formulate Japan's growth strategy at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Dec. 24, 2025.

Japan government's growth strategy meeting

Japan government's growth strategy meeting

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (3rd from front) speaks during a meeting of a government council to formulate Japan's growth strategy at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Dec. 24, 2025.

Japan government's growth strategy meeting

Japan government's growth strategy meeting

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a meeting of a government council to formulate Japan's growth strategy at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Dec. 24, 2025.

PM's Erroneous Remarks On Taiwan Spark Rally In Tokyo - Japan

PM's Erroneous Remarks On Taiwan Spark Rally In Tokyo - Japan

Koichi Nakano, a professor of international politics at Sophia University in Tokyo, speaks during a rally in front of the Japanese Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 23, 2025. Japanese citizens held a rally on Tuesday evening in front of the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo, demanding that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi retract her erroneous remarks on Taiwan and criticizing comments by a senior government official advocating nuclear armament. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

PM's Erroneous Remarks On Taiwan Spark Rally In Tokyo - Japan

PM's Erroneous Remarks On Taiwan Spark Rally In Tokyo - Japan

People holding signs attend a rally in front of the Japanese Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 23, 2025. Japanese citizens held a rally on Tuesday evening in front of the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo, demanding that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi retract her erroneous remarks on Taiwan and criticizing comments by a senior government official advocating nuclear armament. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

PM's Erroneous Remarks On Taiwan Spark Rally In Tokyo - Japan

PM's Erroneous Remarks On Taiwan Spark Rally In Tokyo - Japan

Mizuho Fukushima, leader of Japan's Social Democratic Party, delivers a speech during a rally in front of the Japanese Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 23, 2025. Japanese citizens held a rally on Tuesday evening in front of the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo, demanding that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi retract her erroneous remarks on Taiwan and criticizing comments by a senior government official advocating nuclear armament. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

PM's Erroneous Remarks On Taiwan Spark Rally In Tokyo - Japan

PM's Erroneous Remarks On Taiwan Spark Rally In Tokyo - Japan

A person attends a rally in front of the Japanese Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 23, 2025. Japanese citizens held a rally on Tuesday evening in front of the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo, demanding that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi retract her erroneous remarks on Taiwan and criticizing comments by a senior government official advocating nuclear armament. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

PM's Erroneous Remarks On Taiwan Spark Rally In Tokyo - Japan

PM's Erroneous Remarks On Taiwan Spark Rally In Tokyo - Japan

A sign is pictured during a rally in front of the Japanese Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 23, 2025. Japanese citizens held a rally on Tuesday evening in front of the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo, demanding that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi retract her erroneous remarks on Taiwan and criticizing comments by a senior government official advocating nuclear armament. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

PM's Erroneous Remarks On Taiwan Spark Rally In Tokyo - Japan

PM's Erroneous Remarks On Taiwan Spark Rally In Tokyo - Japan

People holding signs attend a rally in front of the Japanese Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 23, 2025. Japanese citizens held a rally on Tuesday evening in front of the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo, demanding that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi retract her erroneous remarks on Taiwan and criticizing comments by a senior government official advocating nuclear armament. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

PM's Erroneous Remarks On Taiwan Spark Rally In Tokyo - Japan

PM's Erroneous Remarks On Taiwan Spark Rally In Tokyo - Japan

People attend a rally in front of the Japanese Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 23, 2025. Japanese citizens held a rally on Tuesday evening in front of the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo, demanding that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi retract her erroneous remarks on Taiwan and criticizing comments by a senior government official advocating nuclear armament. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

PM's Erroneous Remarks On Taiwan Spark Rally In Tokyo - Japan

PM's Erroneous Remarks On Taiwan Spark Rally In Tokyo - Japan

A sign is pictured during a rally in front of the Japanese Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 23, 2025. Japanese citizens held a rally on Tuesday evening in front of the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo, demanding that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi retract her erroneous remarks on Taiwan and criticizing comments by a senior government official advocating nuclear armament. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Novel laureate Kitagawa at press conference

Novel laureate Kitagawa at press conference

Professor Susumu Kitagawa of Kyoto University, a co-winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in chemistry, speaks during a press conference at the state-run college in Kyoto, western Japan, on Dec. 19, 2025, following the university having been selected as a candidate for significant government grants at elevating Japanese research institutes to the top of global rankings.

Novel laureate Kitagawa at press conference

Novel laureate Kitagawa at press conference

Professor Susumu Kitagawa of Kyoto University, a co-winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in chemistry, speaks during a press conference at the state-run college in Kyoto, western Japan, on Dec. 19, 2025, following the university having been selected as a candidate for significant government grants at elevating Japanese research institutes to the top of global rankings.

Government meeting on AI strategy

Government meeting on AI strategy

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a government meeting on the nation's strategy on the use and development of artificial intelligence at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Dec. 19, 2025.

Government meeting on AI strategy

Government meeting on AI strategy

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (4th from front in left row) and other ministers attend a government meeting on the nation's strategy on the use and development of artificial intelligence at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Dec. 19, 2025.

Government meeting on AI strategy

Government meeting on AI strategy

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from front) speaks at a government meeting on the nation's strategy on the use and development of artificial intelligence at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Dec. 19, 2025.

Symposium on N. Korea's abductions

Symposium on N. Korea's abductions

Takuya Yokota, head of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, speaks at a government-sponsored symposium on the issue in Tokyo on Dec. 13, 2025. He called for the early return of abductees including his older sister Megumi, who was abducted by North Korea in 1977 aged 13.

Japanese sake promotion in Cambodia

Japanese sake promotion in Cambodia

Cambodian government officials and people involved in the food and beverage industry take part in an event promoting rice wine made in Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on Dec. 3, 2025, at the Japanese embassy in Phnom Penh.

Japanese sake promotion in Cambodia

Japanese sake promotion in Cambodia

Cambodian government officials (2nd and 3rd from L) taste sake at an event promoting rice wine made in Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on Dec. 3, 2025, at the Japanese embassy in Phnom Penh.

Japan PM Takaichi's economic package

Japan PM Takaichi's economic package

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Nov. 21, 2025, following the government's approval of a massive economic package worth 21.3 trillion yen ($135 billion).

Japan Princess Aiko in Laos

Japan Princess Aiko in Laos

Japanese Princess Aiko speaks during a luncheon hosted by a local government official in the ancient Lao capital of Luang Prabang during her official trip to Laos on Nov. 20, 2025. (Pool photo)

Japan Princess Aiko in Laos

Japan Princess Aiko in Laos

Japanese Princess Aiko speaks during a luncheon hosted by a local government official in the ancient Lao capital of Luang Prabang during her official trip to Laos on Nov. 20, 2025. (Pool photo)

Japan Princess Aiko in Laos

Japan Princess Aiko in Laos

Japanese Princess Aiko proposes a toast during a luncheon hosted by a local government official in the ancient Lao capital of Luang Prabang during her official trip to Laos on Nov. 20, 2025. (Pool photo)

Feb. 1936 military revolt in Tokyo

Feb. 1936 military revolt in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan, Nov. 14 Kyodo - A group of young Imperial Japanese Army officers enter the Diet building in Tokyo on Feb. 27, 1936, in an attempt to seize control of key locations, including the prime minister's residence, in the so-called 2.26 incident that started in the early morning of Feb. 26. The coup, conducted by a faction of officers within the Army who were dissatisfied with the government's perceived weakness and corruption, ended in failure.

Tokyo Skytree in anti-gendered violence color

Tokyo Skytree in anti-gendered violence color

Tokyo Skytree is lit up in purple on Nov. 12, 2025, as the Japanese government launches a campaign to tackle gender-based violence the same day ahead of the U.N.-designated International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Nov. 25.

Tokyo Skytree in anti-gendered violence color

Tokyo Skytree in anti-gendered violence color

Tokyo Skytree is lit up in purple on Nov. 12, 2025, as the Japanese government launches a campaign to tackle gender-based violence the same day ahead of the U.N.-designated International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Nov. 25.

Tokyo Skytree in anti-gendered violence color

Tokyo Skytree in anti-gendered violence color

Tokyo Skytree is lit up in purple on Nov. 12, 2025, as the Japanese government launches a campaign to tackle gender-based violence the same day ahead of the U.N.-designated International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Nov. 25.

Tokyo Skytree in anti-gendered violence color

Tokyo Skytree in anti-gendered violence color

Tokyo Skytree is lit up in purple on Nov. 12, 2025, as the Japanese government launches a campaign to tackle gender-based violence the same day ahead of the U.N.-designated International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Nov. 25.

Tokyo Skytree in anti-gendered violence color

Tokyo Skytree in anti-gendered violence color

Tokyo Skytree is lit up in purple on Nov. 12, 2025, as the Japanese government launches a campaign to tackle gender-based violence the same day ahead of the U.N.-designated International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Nov. 25.

Tokyo Skytree in anti-gendered violence color

Tokyo Skytree in anti-gendered violence color

Tokyo Skytree is lit up in purple on Nov. 12, 2025, as the Japanese government launches a campaign to tackle gender-based violence the same day ahead of the U.N.-designated International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Nov. 25.

Inaugural gov't meeting to discuss Japan's growth strategy

Inaugural gov't meeting to discuss Japan's growth strategy

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (3rd from L) speaks during an inaugural meeting of a government council to formulate Japan's growth strategy at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Nov. 10, 2025.

Inaugural gov't meeting to discuss Japan's growth strategy

Inaugural gov't meeting to discuss Japan's growth strategy

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (3rd from L) speaks during an inaugural meeting of a government council to formulate Japan's growth strategy at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Nov. 10, 2025.

Inaugural gov't meeting to discuss Japan's growth strategy

Inaugural gov't meeting to discuss Japan's growth strategy

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from R) speaks during an inaugural meeting of a government council to formulate Japan's growth strategy at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Nov. 10, 2025.

Inaugural gov't meeting to discuss Japan's growth strategy

Inaugural gov't meeting to discuss Japan's growth strategy

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during an inaugural meeting of a government council to formulate Japan's growth strategy at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Nov. 10, 2025.

Tokyo governor meets Deaflympics athletes

Tokyo governor meets Deaflympics athletes

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike (bottom, C) poses for a photo with Japanese athletes competing in the 2025 Tokyo Deaflympics with ties to the Japanese capital, at the metropolitan government headquarters building on Nov. 6, 2025, ahead of the event's opening on Nov. 15.

Tokyo governor meets Deaflympics athletes

Tokyo governor meets Deaflympics athletes

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike (L) makes a speech at the metropolitan government headquarters building on Nov. 6, 2025, to Japanese athletes competing in the 2025 Tokyo Deaflympics with ties to the Japanese capital, ahead of the event's opening on Nov. 15.

Japanese startup for art by people with disabilities

Japanese startup for art by people with disabilities

Fumito Matsuda (2nd from R), co-CEO of Heralbony Co., a Japanese start-up commercializing artwork by people with disabilities, and his elderly brother Shota (4th from R) pose for a photo on June 25, 2025, during their visit to meet Iwate Gov. Takuya Tasso (C) at the Iwate prefectural government office in Morioka in the northeastern Japan prefecture. The brothers visited the office to tell the governor that the company won the Gold prize in the "Glass: The Lion for Change" category of the Cannes Lions Awards.

Japanese startup for art by people with disabilities

Japanese startup for art by people with disabilities

Fumito Matsuda (L), co-CEO of Heralbony Co., a Japanese start-up commercializing artwork by people with disabilities, and his elderly brother Shota pose for a photo on June 25, 2025, during their visit to the Iwate prefectural government office in Morioka in the northeastern Japan prefecture. The two visited the office to tell Iwate Gov. Takuya Tasso that the company won the Gold prize in the "Glass: The Lion for Change" category of the Cannes Lions Awards.

Japanese startup for art by people with disabilities

Japanese startup for art by people with disabilities

Fumito Matsuda (L), co-CEO of Heralbony Co., a Japanese start-up commercializing artwork by people with disabilities, and his elderly brother Shota pose for a photo on June 25, 2025, during their visit to the Iwate prefectural government office in Morioka in the northeastern Japan prefecture. The two visited the office to tell Iwate Gov. Takuya Tasso that the company won the Gold prize in the "Glass: The Lion for Change" category of the Cannes Lions Awards.

Japan PM leaves for S. Korea

Japan PM leaves for S. Korea

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi waves as she boards a government plane at Tokyo's Haneda airport on Oct. 30, 2025, to leave for South Korea to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meeting in Gyeongju.

Japan PM leaves for S. Korea

Japan PM leaves for S. Korea

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi waves as she boards a government plane at Tokyo's Haneda airport on Oct. 30, 2025, to leave for South Korea to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meeting in Gyeongju.

Japan PM leaves for S. Korea

Japan PM leaves for S. Korea

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi bows as she boards a government plane at Tokyo's Haneda airport on Oct. 30, 2025, to leave for South Korea to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meeting in Gyeongju.

Japan's new Defense Minister Koizumi

Japan's new Defense Minister Koizumi

New Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi gives instructions to ministry officials during his inauguration ceremony in Tokyo on Oct. 22, 2025, a day after the government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was launched. (Pool photo)

Japan's new Defense Minister Koizumi

Japan's new Defense Minister Koizumi

New Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi gives instructions to ministry officials during his inauguration ceremony in Tokyo on Oct. 22, 2025, a day after the government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was launched. (Pool photo)