Japan Finance Minister Katayama

Japan Finance Minister Katayama

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama 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 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 parliament enacts law to scrap gasoline tax surcharge

Japan parliament enacts law to scrap gasoline tax surcharge

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama reacts at a House of Councillors plenary session in Tokyo on Nov. 28, 2025, as the parliament enacts a law to end the provisional gasoline tax surcharge.

Japan parliament enacts law to scrap gasoline tax surcharge

Japan parliament enacts law to scrap gasoline tax surcharge

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama reacts at a House of Councillors plenary session in Tokyo on Nov. 28, 2025, as the parliament enacts a law to end the provisional gasoline tax surcharge.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Nov. 14, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Nov. 14, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Nov. 14, 2025.

Japan Finance Minister Katayama in parliament

Japan Finance Minister Katayama in parliament

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama attends a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Nov. 13, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi listens to a question during a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Nov. 12, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi listens to a question during a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Nov. 12, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi listens to a question during a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Nov. 12, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi listens to a question during a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Nov. 12, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi drinks water during a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Nov. 12, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi listens to a question during a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Nov. 12, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi drinks water during a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Nov. 12, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi answers a question during a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Nov. 12, 2025.

Parliament addresses bear attacks in Japan

Parliament addresses bear attacks in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addresses a recent spate of bear attacks on humans in Japan, mainly in northern and northeastern Japan, during a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Nov. 12, 2025. The prime minister unveiled a plan to dip into the fiscal 2025 supplementary budget to finance countermeasures.

Imperial conferment of decorations

Imperial conferment of decorations

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (L) speaks to former House of Councillors President Hidehisa Otsuji during a Grand Cordon conferment ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Nov. 11, 2025. (Pool photo)

Imperial conferment of decorations

Imperial conferment of decorations

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (L) confers the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers to former House of Councillors President Hidehisa Otsuji during a ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Nov. 11, 2025. (Pool photo)

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi answers a question during a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on Nov. 6, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi answers a question during a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on Nov. 6, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi answers a question during a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on Nov. 6, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi answers a question during a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on Nov. 6, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi answers a question during a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on Nov. 6, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi answers a question during a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on Nov. 6, 2025.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi answers a question during a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on Nov. 5, 2025.

Philippines: Typhoon Kalmaegi Triggers Severe Flooding, Displacing Thousands 2

Severe flooding has submerged towns and displaced hundreds of thousands as Typhoon Kalmaegi battered the central Philippines. Rivers overflowed in Cebu and nearby islands, forcing residents onto rooftops while cars and containers were swept through the streets. Local officials said some evacuation centers were inundated, and many survivors of a recent earthquake had to be evacuated again. More than 380,000 people fled their homes across the Visayas, southern Luzon, and northern Mindanao. Kalmaegi, locally named Tino, made landfall late Monday, November 3 with winds of up to 130 kph before moving toward the South China Sea on Tuesday, November 4.

China: Tourists and Locals Rescue Yaks from Mud Pit in Qinghai

In Qinghai, China, tourists and locals joined forces with an excavator operator to rescue four yaks stuck in deep mud on September 30, 2025. After spotting the trapped animals, the tourists alerted a herdsman and enlisted help from a nearby construction site. Working for nearly an hour, they freed all four yaks safely. The herdsman said the rescue prevented losses of over RMB 40,000.

Major Japanese daily makes false report

Major Japanese daily makes false report

Photo taken Aug. 28, 2025, shows the previous day's edition (R) of major Japanese daily the Yomiuri Shimbun carrying a front-page story reporting that prosecutors were investigating a secretary of Taku Ikeshita, a House of Representatives member from the opposition Japan Innovation Party, along with an "apology and correction" notice about the report in the Aug. 28 edition. In fact, the prosecutors searched the office of House of Councillors lawmaker Akira Ishii from the same party, not Ikeshita.

Major Japanese daily makes false report

Major Japanese daily makes false report

Photo taken Aug. 28, 2025, shows the previous day's edition (R) of major Japanese daily the Yomiuri Shimbun carrying a front-page story reporting that prosecutors were investigating a secretary of Taku Ikeshita, a House of Representatives member from the opposition Japan Innovation Party, along with an "apology and correction" notice about the report in the Aug. 28 edition. In fact, the prosecutors searched the office of House of Councillors lawmaker Akira Ishii from the same party, not Ikeshita.

Major Japanese daily makes false report

Major Japanese daily makes false report

Photo taken Aug. 28, 2025, shows the previous day's edition (R) of major Japanese daily the Yomiuri Shimbun carrying a front-page story reporting that prosecutors were investigating a secretary of Taku Ikeshita, a House of Representatives member from the opposition Japan Innovation Party, along with an "apology and correction" notice about the report in the Aug. 28 edition. In fact, the prosecutors searched the office of House of Councillors lawmaker Akira Ishii from the same party, not Ikeshita.

Yasukuni shrine visit on end of WWII anniv.

Yasukuni shrine visit on end of WWII anniv.

Sohei Kamiya, head of the opposition Sanseito party, visits the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2025, the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. The populist party gained traction in last month's House of Councillors election with its "Japanese first" banner.

Yasukuni shrine visit on end of WWII anniv.

Yasukuni shrine visit on end of WWII anniv.

Sohei Kamiya, head of the opposition Sanseito party, visits the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2025, the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. The populist party gained traction in last month's House of Councillors election with its "Japanese first" banner.

Japan PM Ishiba in parliament

Japan PM Ishiba in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2025.

Japan PM Ishiba in parliament

Japan PM Ishiba in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba raises his hand to speak during a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2025.

Japan PM Ishiba in parliament

Japan PM Ishiba in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba raises his hand to speak during a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2025.

Japan PM Ishiba in parliament

Japan PM Ishiba in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (R) speaks during a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2025.

Japan economic revitalization minister Akazawa

Japan economic revitalization minister Akazawa

Japanese economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa speaks during a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2025.

Japan PM Ishiba in parliament

Japan PM Ishiba in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (far L) attends a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2025, as economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa (R) speaks.

Japanese PM Ishiba at party meeting

TOKYO, Japan, July 28 Kyodo - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks on July 28, 2025, at the party headquarters in Tokyo, during the Liberal Democratic Party's first meeting of lawmakers for both houses since the July 20 House of Councillors election. (Kyodo)

Extraordinary Diet session opens in Japan

Extraordinary Diet session opens in Japan

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (far R) arrives at the country's parliament in Tokyo on Aug. 1, 2025, to attend the opening ceremony for a 5-day extraordinary parliamentary session convened following the House of Councillors election on July 20.

Extraordinary Diet session opens in Japan

Extraordinary Diet session opens in Japan

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (front) arrives at the country's parliament in Tokyo on Aug. 1, 2025, to attend the opening ceremony for a 5-day extraordinary parliamentary session convened following the House of Councillors election on July 20.

Japanese PM Ishiba at party meeting

Japanese PM Ishiba at party meeting

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (standing) speaks on July 28, 2025, at the party headquarters in Tokyo, during the Liberal Democratic Party's first meeting of lawmakers for both houses since the July 20 House of Councillors election.

Japanese PM Ishiba at party meeting

Japanese PM Ishiba at party meeting

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks on July 28, 2025, at the party headquarters in Tokyo, during the Liberal Democratic Party's first meeting of lawmakers for both houses since the July 20 House of Councillors election.

Japanese PM Ishiba at party meeting

Japanese PM Ishiba at party meeting

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks on July 28, 2025, at the party headquarters in Tokyo, during the Liberal Democratic Party's first meeting of lawmakers for both houses since the July 20 House of Councillors election.

[Breaking News]Japan PM press conference day after election defeat

TOKYO, Japan, July 22 Kyodo - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba holds a press conference at the headquarters of his Liberal Democratic Party in Tokyo on July 21, 2025, after the LDP-led ruling coalition lost majority control of both chambers of parliament following a crushing House of Councillors election defeat the previous day. (Kyodo)

Japan PM press conference day after election defeat

TOKYO, Japan, July 22 Kyodo - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba holds a press conference at the headquarters of his Liberal Democratic Party in Tokyo on July 21, 2025, after the LDP-led ruling coalition lost majority control of both chambers of parliament following a crushing House of Councillors election defeat the previous day. (Kyodo)

Japan: Far-Right Sanseito Draws Large Crowd at Final Rally, Surges in Upper House Election 3

On July 19, the night before Japan’s Upper House election, opposition party Sanseito held its final rally at Tokyo’s Shiba Park, attracting a crowd of over 10,000. While Japanese flags waved in support, counter-protesters also gathered, holding placards that read “No to Discrimination” and waving flags with crossed-out Japanese symbols. The populist far-right party, which previously held just one seat in the 248-member House of Councillors, made major gains by campaigning under the slogan “Japanese First,” winning 14 seats and emerging as one of the election’s biggest winners.

Japan: Far-Right Sanseito Draws Large Crowd at Final Rally, Surges in Upper House Election 2

On July 19, the night before Japan’s Upper House election, opposition party Sanseito held its final rally at Tokyo’s Shiba Park, attracting a crowd of over 10,000. While Japanese flags waved in support, counter-protesters also gathered, holding placards that read “No to Discrimination” and waving flags with crossed-out Japanese symbols. The populist far-right party, which previously held just one seat in the 248-member House of Councillors, made major gains by campaigning under the slogan “Japanese First,” winning 14 seats and emerging as one of the election’s biggest winners.