Memorial flame for Great Hanshin Earthquake

Memorial flame for Great Hanshin Earthquake

Photo taken on Jan. 10, 2026, shows a flame transferred to a lantern from a gas lamp burning "Light of Hope" flame at a park in Kobe, western Japan, to be used for various events marking the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, killing over 6,400 people.

Memorial flame for Great Hanshin Earthquake

Memorial flame for Great Hanshin Earthquake

Photo taken on Jan. 10, 2026, shows a flame transferred to a candle from a gas lamp burning "Light of Hope" flame at a park in Kobe, western Japan, to be used for various events marking the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, killing over 6,400 people.

Memorial flame for Great Hanshin Earthquake

Memorial flame for Great Hanshin Earthquake

Photo taken on Jan. 10, 2026, shows a flame transferred to a candle from a gas lamp burning "Light of Hope" flame at a park in Kobe, western Japan, to be used for various events marking the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, killing over 6,400 people.

Upper house election in Japan

Upper house election in Japan

Takashi Tachibana, head of the fringe NHK Party, speaks during a press conference in Kobe, western, Japan, on July 20, 2025, the day of the House of Councillors election.

Upper house election in Japan

Upper house election in Japan

Takashi Tachibana, head of the fringe NHK Party, speaks during a press conference in Kobe, western, Japan, on July 20, 2025, the day of the House of Councillors election.

Upper house election in Japan

Upper house election in Japan

Takashi Tachibana, head of the fringe NHK Party, speaks during a press conference in Kobe, western, Japan, on July 20, 2025, the day of the House of Councillors election.

Upper house election in Japan

Upper house election in Japan

Takashi Tachibana, head of the fringe NHK Party, speaks during a press conference in Kobe, western, Japan, on July 20, 2025, the day of the House of Councillors election.

Upper house election in Japan

Upper house election in Japan

Takashi Tachibana, head of the fringe NHK Party, speaks during a press conference in Kobe, western, Japan, on July 20, 2025, the day of the House of Councillors election.

Rugby: Japan vs. Wales

Rugby: Japan vs. Wales

Screenshot taken on July 10, 2025, shows Japan head coach Eddie Jones (R) and captain Michael Leitch attending an online press conference ahead of the second rugby match of their two-test series in Kobe, western Japan, on July 12.

Submarine Raigei delivered to MSDF

Submarine Raigei delivered to MSDF

Photo taken on March 6, 2025, shows the submarine Raigei following a ceremony marking its delivery to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force at a shipyard of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. in Kobe, western Japan. The 84-meter submarine weighing about 3,000 tons will be deployed at the MSDF's base in Kure in the western Japan prefecture of Hiroshima.

Submarine Raigei delivered to MSDF

Submarine Raigei delivered to MSDF

Photo taken on March 6, 2025, shows the submarine Raigei following a ceremony marking its delivery to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force at a shipyard of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. in Kobe, western Japan. The 84-meter submarine weighing about 3,000 tons will be deployed at the MSDF's base in Kure in the western Japan prefecture of Hiroshima.

Football: AFC Champions League Elite

Football: AFC Champions League Elite

Vissel Kobe's Haruya Ide (C) celebrates with Yuya Osako (L) after scoring a goal in the first half of the first leg of an AFC Champions League Elite round of 16 football clash against Gwangju FC in Kobe, western Japan, on March 5, 2025.

Football: AFC Champions League Elite

Football: AFC Champions League Elite

Vissel Kobe's Haruya Ide (3rd from L) scores with a header in the first half of the first leg of an AFC Champions League Elite round of 16 football clash against Gwangju FC in Kobe, western Japan, on March 5, 2025.

Football: AFC Champions League Elite

Football: AFC Champions League Elite

Vissel Kobe's Haruya Ide (top) scores with a header in the first half of the first leg of an AFC Champions League Elite round of 16 football clash against Gwangju FC in Kobe, western Japan, on March 5, 2025.

Football: AFC Champions League Elite

Football: AFC Champions League Elite

Vissel Kobe's Yuya Osako (2nd from L) celebrates after opening the scoring in the first half of the first leg of an AFC Champions League Elite round of 16 football clash against Gwangju FC in Kobe, western Japan, on March 5, 2025.

Father of woman abducted by N. Korea dies at 96 without reunion

Father of woman abducted by N. Korea dies at 96 without reunion

Akihiro Arimoto, whose daughter Keiko was taken to North Korea in 1983 at age 23, is pictured during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the premier's office in Tokyo on Oct. 17, 2024. Arimoto, who strenuously fought for her return and that of the other abductees, died of natural causes aged 96 at his home in Kobe, western Japan, without seeing her, his family said on Feb. 17, 2025.

Father of woman abducted by N. Korea dies at 96 without reunion

Father of woman abducted by N. Korea dies at 96 without reunion

Akihiro Arimoto, whose daughter Keiko was taken to North Korea in 1983 at age 23, celebrates her 60th birthday at their home in Kobe, western Japan, on Jan. 12, 2020, with a birthday cake in front of her photo. Arimoto, who strenuously fought for her return and that of the other abductees, died of natural causes aged 96 without seeing her, his family said on Feb. 17, 2025.

Athletics: Japan's Yamanishi breaks men's 20 km race walk record

Athletics: Japan's Yamanishi breaks men's 20 km race walk record

Toshikazu Yamanishi (R) competes on his way to setting a new men's 20-kilometer race walking world record at the Japan national championship in Kobe, western Japan, on Feb. 16, 2025.

Athletics: Japan's Yamanishi breaks men's 20 km race walk record

Athletics: Japan's Yamanishi breaks men's 20 km race walk record

Toshikazu Yamanishi competes on his way to setting a new men's 20-kilometer race walking world record at the Japan national championship in Kobe, western Japan, on Feb. 16, 2025.

Athletics: Japan's Yamanishi breaks men's 20 km race walk record

Athletics: Japan's Yamanishi breaks men's 20 km race walk record

Toshikazu Yamanishi (R) competes on his way to setting a new men's 20-kilometer race walking world record at the Japan national championship in Kobe, western Japan, on Feb. 16, 2025.

Athletics: Japan's Yamanishi breaks men's 20 km race walk record

Athletics: Japan's Yamanishi breaks men's 20 km race walk record

Toshikazu Yamanishi (C) competes on his way to setting a new men's 20-kilometer race walking world record at the Japan national championship in Kobe, western Japan, on Feb. 16, 2025.

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

(from L, front) J-League first-division football club Vissel Kobe defender Tetsushi Yamakawa, manager Takayuki Yoshida, and forward Yoshinori Muto observe a moment of silence at a park in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, on Jan. 17, 2025, at 5:46 a.m., the exact time when the Great Hanshin Earthquake struck the western Japan city and vicinity 30 years ago. The disaster killed more than 6,400 people.

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Lanterns are placed to form the Japanese word "yorisou," which means being together, and the date "1.17" at a park in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, on Jan. 17, 2025, the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity. The disaster killed more than 6,400 people.

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Lanterns are placed to form the Japanese word "yorisou," which means being together, and the date "1.17" at a park in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, on Jan. 17, 2025, the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity. The disaster killed more than 6,400 people.

Baseball: Ichiro Suzuki hits 200th of season

Baseball: Ichiro Suzuki hits 200th of season

Orix BlueWave outfielder Ichiro Suzuki celebrates after picking up his 200th hit of the season at Green Stadium Kobe in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Sept. 20, 1994. Ichiro set a Japanese single-season record with 210 hits in the 1994 season, becoming the first player ever to reach the 200 mark in a single season.

Kobe Marathon

Kobe Marathon

Runners start in the Kobe Marathon in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, on Nov. 17, 2024. About 20,000 people took part in the event, held under the theme "thanks and friendship" as the western Japan city soon marks the 30th anniversary of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake.

Kobe Marathon

Kobe Marathon

Runners start in the Kobe Marathon in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, on Nov. 17, 2024. About 20,000 people took part in the event, held under the theme "thanks and friendship" as the western Japan city soon marks the 30th anniversary of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake.

Campaigning begins for Japan general election

Campaigning begins for Japan general election

Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, makes a stump speech in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan, on Oct. 15, 2024, as campaigning for the Oct. 27 general election began the same day.

Campaigning begins for Japan general election

Campaigning begins for Japan general election

Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, makes a stump speech in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan, on Oct. 15, 2024, as campaigning for the Oct. 27 general election began the same day.

Japan, China, S. Korea tourism ministerial meeting in Kobe

Japan, China, S. Korea tourism ministerial meeting in Kobe

Japanese Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito (C), China's Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism Zhang Zheng (L) and South Korean Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Yu In Chon hold up their joint declaration at a trilateral tourism ministerial meeting in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan, on Sept. 11, 2024.

Japan, China, S. Korea tourism ministerial meeting in Kobe

Japan, China, S. Korea tourism ministerial meeting in Kobe

Japanese Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito (C), China's Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism Zhang Zheng (L) and South Korean Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Yu In Chon hold up their joint declaration at a trilateral tourism ministerial meeting in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan, on Sept. 11, 2024.

MSDF's submarine Hakugei

MSDF's submarine Hakugei

Photo taken on March 20, 2024, shows a new submarine Hakugei handed over to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force from its builder Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. at a shipyard in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, in western Japan.

Renovated aquarium in western Japan

Renovated aquarium in western Japan

Photo taken May 30, 2024, shows a restaurant from which visitors can watch killer whales during a preview at Kobe Suma Sea World in Kobe, western Japan. The renovated aquarium, formerly known as Suma Aqualife Park, will open on June 1.

Japan para star Yamamoto retires

Japan para star Yamamoto retires

Japan's Atsushi Yamamoto competes in the men's T63 long jump final at the world para athletics championships in Kobe, western Japan, on May 19, 2024. Yamamoto, who won silver at the 2008 Beijing and 2016 Rio Paralympics, announced his retirement from competition on May 26.

Japan para star Yamamoto retires

Japan para star Yamamoto retires

Japan's para long jumper Atsushi Yamamoto attends a press conference in Kobe, western Japan, on May 27, 2024, a day after announcing his retirement from competition. Yamamoto won silver at the 2008 Beijing and 2016 Rio Paralympics.

Japan para star Yamamoto retires

Japan para star Yamamoto retires

Japan's para long jumper Atsushi Yamamoto attends a press conference in Kobe, western Japan, on May 27, 2024, a day after announcing his retirement from competition. Yamamoto won silver at the 2008 Beijing and 2016 Rio Paralympics.

Japan para star Yamamoto retires

Japan para star Yamamoto retires

Japan's Atsushi Yamamoto competes in the men's T63 long jump final at the world para athletics championships in Kobe, western Japan, on May 19, 2024. Yamamoto, who won silver at the 2008 Beijing and 2016 Rio Paralympics, announced his retirement from competition on May 26.

Japan para star Yamamoto retires

Japan para star Yamamoto retires

Japan's Atsushi Yamamoto competes in the men's T63 long jump final at the world para athletics championships in Kobe, western Japan, on May 19, 2024. Yamamoto, who won silver at the 2008 Beijing and 2016 Rio Paralympics, announced his retirement from competition on May 26.

Japan para star Yamamoto retires

Japan para star Yamamoto retires

Japan's Atsushi Yamamoto competes in the men's T63 long jump final at the world para athletics championships in Kobe, western Japan, on May 19, 2024. Yamamoto, who won silver at the 2008 Beijing and 2016 Rio Paralympics, announced his retirement from competition on May 26.

Japan's para star Yamamoto retires

Japan's para star Yamamoto retires

Japan's Atsushi Yamamoto waves to the crowd after competing in the men's T63 long jump at the world para athletics championships in Kobe, western Japan, on May 19, 2024. Yamamoto, who won silver at the 2008 Beijing and 2016 Rio Paralympics, announced his retirement from competition on May 26.

Japan para star Yamamoto retires

Japan para star Yamamoto retires

Japan's Atsushi Yamamoto acknowledges the crowd after competing in the men's T63 long jump at the world para athletics championships in Kobe, western Japan, on May 19, 2024. Yamamoto, who won silver at the 2008 Beijing and 2016 Rio Paralympics, announced his retirement from competition on May 26.

Toyota displays new steering system for disabled people

Toyota displays new steering system for disabled people

Photo taken on May 17, 2024, shows a unique steering system installed in a Toyota car for disabled people, especially those unable to use their legs, on display near the venue of the just-opened para athletics world championships in Kobe, western Japan. Under what Toyota calls New Steer, the vehicle's steering, braking and acceleration are all controlled from the yoke.

Para athletics worlds in Kobe

Para athletics worlds in Kobe

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko clap during the opening ceremony of the nine-day para athletics world championships in Kobe, western Japan, on May 17, 2024.

Para athletics worlds in Kobe

Para athletics worlds in Kobe

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko wave during the opening ceremony of the nine-day para athletics world championships in Kobe, western Japan, on May 17, 2024.

Crown Princess Kiko at school for disabled children

Crown Princess Kiko at school for disabled children

Japanese Crown Princess Kiko plays boccia with disabled children at their school in Kobe, western Japan, on May 16, 2024. (Pool photo)

Fierce battle between major Japanese underground syndicates

Fierce battle between major Japanese underground syndicates

KOBE, Japan, April 25 Kyodo - A bullet hole (arrow mark) is seen on the front window of a vehicle ridden by members of the Ichiwa-kai underground gangster syndicate in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, on April 14, 1985. A shooter belonging to Ichiwa-kai's rival, Yamaguchi-gumi, opened fire at the vehicle when it was parked at a crossing in the western Japan city earlier in the day.

Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine "Jingei"

Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine "Jingei"

A ceremony to award a Self-Defense Forces flag to a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine is held at a shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan on March 8, 2024. The submarine, "Jingei," will be deployed to the MSDF Yokosuka Base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo.

Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine "Jingei"

Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine "Jingei"

A ceremony to award a Self-Defense Forces flag to a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine is held at a shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan on March 8, 2024. The submarine, "Jingei," will be deployed to the MSDF Yokosuka Base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo.

Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine "Jingei"

Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine "Jingei"

A ceremony to award a Self-Defense Forces flag to a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine is held at a shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan on March 8, 2024. The submarine, "Jingei," will be deployed to the MSDF Yokosuka Base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo.

Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine "Jingei"

Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine "Jingei"

Kazuo Masuda (5th from R), administrative vice-minister of defense, gives a speech during a ceremony to award a Self-Defense Forces flag to the "Jingei," a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine, at a shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan on March 8, 2024. The submarine will be deployed to the MSDF Yokosuka Base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo.