New SDF base on island for U.S. fighter jet drills

NISHINOOMOTE, Japan, Jan. 13 Kyodo - Video taken from a drone on Jan. 10, 2026, shows Mage Island, located about 990 kilometers southwest of Tokyo in the East China Sea and part of the Kagoshima Prefecture city of Nishinoomote. Construction started in January 2023 for a Japan Self-Defense Forces base to be used as a site for U.S. fighter jet drills relocated from Iwoto Island in the Pacific.

New SDF base on island for U.S. fighter jet drills

New SDF base on island for U.S. fighter jet drills

Photo taken from a drone on Jan. 10, 2026, shows Mage Island, located about 990 kilometers southwest of Tokyo in the East China Sea and part of the Kagoshima Prefecture city of Nishinoomote. Construction started in January 2023 for a Japan Self-Defense Forces base to be used as a site for U.S. fighter jet drills relocated from Iwoto Island in the Pacific.

New SDF base on island for U.S. fighter jet drills

New SDF base on island for U.S. fighter jet drills

Photo taken from a drone on Jan. 10, 2026, shows Mage Island, located about 990 kilometers southwest of Tokyo in the East China Sea and part of the Kagoshima Prefecture city of Nishinoomote. Construction started in January 2023 for a Japan Self-Defense Forces base to be used as a site for U.S. fighter jet drills relocated from Iwoto Island in the Pacific.

New SDF base on island for U.S. fighter jet drills

New SDF base on island for U.S. fighter jet drills

Photo taken from a drone on Jan. 10, 2026, shows Mage Island, located about 990 kilometers southwest of Tokyo in the East China Sea and part of the Kagoshima Prefecture city of Nishinoomote. Construction started in January 2023 for a Japan Self-Defense Forces base to be used as a site for U.S. fighter jet drills relocated from Iwoto Island in the Pacific.

New SDF base on island for U.S. fighter jet drills

New SDF base on island for U.S. fighter jet drills

Photo taken from a drone on Jan. 10, 2026, shows Mage Island, located about 990 kilometers southwest of Tokyo in the East China Sea and part of the Kagoshima Prefecture city of Nishinoomote. Construction started in January 2023 for a Japan Self-Defense Forces base to be used as a site for U.S. fighter jet drills relocated from Iwoto Island in the Pacific.

New SDF base on island for U.S. fighter jet drills

New SDF base on island for U.S. fighter jet drills

Photo taken from a drone on Jan. 10, 2026, shows Mage Island, located about 990 kilometers southwest of Tokyo in the East China Sea and part of the Kagoshima Prefecture city of Nishinoomote. Construction started in January 2023 for a Japan Self-Defense Forces base to be used as a site for U.S. fighter jet drills relocated from Iwoto Island in the Pacific.

New SDF base on island for U.S. fighter jet drills

New SDF base on island for U.S. fighter jet drills

Photo taken from a drone on Jan. 10, 2026, shows Mage Island, located about 990 kilometers southwest of Tokyo in the East China Sea and part of the Kagoshima Prefecture city of Nishinoomote. Construction started in January 2023 for a Japan Self-Defense Forces base to be used as a site for U.S. fighter jet drills relocated from Iwoto Island in the Pacific. ==Kyodo

Protest against new SDF base for U.S. fighter jet drills

Protest against new SDF base for U.S. fighter jet drills

People protest against the construction of a Japan Self-Defense Forces base on Mage Island, located about 990 kilometers southwest of Tokyo in the East China Sea and part of the Kagoshima Prefecture city of Nishinoomote, on Jan. 10, 2026. Construction started in January 2023 for the base, to be used as a site for U.S. fighter jet drills relocated from Iwoto Island in the Pacific.

Protest against new SDF base for U.S. fighter jet drills

Protest against new SDF base for U.S. fighter jet drills

People protest against the construction of a Japan Self-Defense Forces base on Mage Island, located about 990 kilometers southwest of Tokyo in the East China Sea and part of the Kagoshima Prefecture city of Nishinoomote, on Jan. 10, 2026. Construction started in January 2023 for the base, to be used as a site for U.S. fighter jet drills relocated from Iwoto Island in the Pacific.

[Breaking News]Japan H3 rocket mission fails

MINAMITANE, Japan, Dec. 22 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 22, 2025, shows a Japanese H3 rocket lifting off from Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, with a Michibiki No. 5 satellite in its payload. The rocket failed to place the satellite into orbit after its second-stage engine prematurely cut off shortly after liftoff. (Kyodo)

H3 rocket launch canceled

MINAMITANE, Japan, Dec. 17 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 17, 2025, shows a Japanese H3 rocket at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency canceled the launch of the No. 8 rocket, loaded with the No. 5 Michibiki satellite for enhanced global positioning, due to an equipment malfunction. (Kyodo)

Japanese H3 rocket fails to put satellite into orbit

Japanese H3 rocket fails to put satellite into orbit

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency project manager Makoto Arita attends a press conference at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane, Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 22, 2025, after a Japanese H3 rocket failed to deliver the Michibiki No. 5 satellite into the target orbit.

Japanese H3 rocket fails to put satellite into orbit

Japanese H3 rocket fails to put satellite into orbit

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency project manager Makoto Arita attends a press conference at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane, Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 22, 2025, after a Japanese H3 rocket failed to deliver the Michibiki No. 5 satellite into the target orbit.

Japanese H3 rocket fails to put satellite into orbit

Japanese H3 rocket fails to put satellite into orbit

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Vice President Masashi Okada attends a press conference at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane, Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 22, 2025, after a Japanese H3 rocket failed to deliver the Michibiki No. 5 satellite into the target orbit.

Japan H3 rocket mission fails

Japan H3 rocket mission fails

Photo taken on Dec. 22, 2025, shows smoke billowing from the Japanese H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 5 satellite after liftoff from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan. The rocket failed to place the satellite into orbit after its second-stage engine prematurely cut off shortly after liftoff.

Japan H3 rocket mission fails

Japan H3 rocket mission fails

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency project manager Masashi Okada attends a press conference on Dec. 22, 2025, after an H3 rocket failure the same day at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

Japan H3 rocket mission fails

Japan H3 rocket mission fails

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 22, 2025, shows a Japanese H3 rocket lifting off from Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, with a Michibiki No. 5 satellite in its payload. The rocket failed to place the satellite into orbit after its second-stage engine prematurely cut off shortly after liftoff.

H3 rocket launch

H3 rocket launch

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 22, 2025, shows the liftoff of a Japanese H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 5 satellite from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

H3 rocket launch

H3 rocket launch

A Japanese H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 5 satellite lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 22, 2025.

H3 rocket launch

H3 rocket launch

A Japanese H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 5 satellite lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 22, 2025.

H3 rocket launch

H3 rocket launch

A Japanese H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 5 satellite lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 22, 2025.

H3 rocket launch

H3 rocket launch

A Japanese H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 5 satellite lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 22, 2025.

H3 rocket launch

H3 rocket launch

A Japanese H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No. 5 satellite lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 22, 2025.

H3 rocket launch canceled

H3 rocket launch canceled

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 17, 2025, shows a Japanese H3 rocket at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency canceled the launch of the No. 8 rocket, loaded with the No. 5 Michibiki satellite for enhanced global positioning, due to an equipment malfunction.

H3 rocket launch canceled

H3 rocket launch canceled

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 17, 2025, shows a Japanese H3 rocket at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency canceled the launch of the No. 8 rocket, loaded with the No. 5 Michibiki satellite for enhanced global positioning, due to an equipment malfunction.

H3 rocket launch canceled

H3 rocket launch canceled

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 17, 2025, shows a Japanese H3 rocket at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency canceled the launch of the No. 8 rocket, loaded with the No. 5 Michibiki satellite for enhanced global positioning, due to an equipment malfunction.

Japan launches new unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for ISS

MINAMITANE, Japan, Oct. 27 Kyodo - An H3 rocket carrying the first HTV-X unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for the International Space Station soars through the sky after lifting off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kagoshima on Oct. 26, 2025. (Kyodo)

Japan launches new unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for ISS

Japan launches new unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for ISS

An H3 rocket carrying the first HTV-X unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for the International Space Station soars through the sky after lifting off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kagoshima on Oct. 26, 2025.

Japan launches new unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for ISS

Japan launches new unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for ISS

An H3 rocket carrying the first HTV-X unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for the International Space Station soars through the sky after lifting off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kagoshima on Oct. 26, 2025.

Japan launches new unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for ISS

Japan launches new unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for ISS

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows an H3 rocket carrying the first HTV-X unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for the International Space Station lifting off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kagoshima on Oct. 26, 2025.

Japan launches new unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for ISS

Japan launches new unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for ISS

An H3 rocket carrying the first HTV-X unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for the International Space Station soars through the sky after lifting off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kagoshima on Oct. 26, 2025.

Japan launches new unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for ISS

Japan launches new unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for ISS

An H3 rocket carrying the first HTV-X unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for the International Space Station lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kagoshima on Oct. 26, 2025.

Japan launches new unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for ISS

Japan launches new unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for ISS

An H3 rocket carrying the first HTV-X unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for the International Space Station lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kagoshima on Oct. 26, 2025.

Japan launches new unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for ISS

Japan launches new unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for ISS

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows an H3 rocket carrying the first HTV-X unmanned cargo spacecraft bound for the International Space Station lifting off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kagoshima on Oct. 26, 2025.

Volcano eruption in southwestern Japan

Volcano eruption in southwestern Japan

Photo taken on the morning of Aug. 28, 2025, from an unmanned fixed-point camera in Kirishima in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, shows the Shinmoedake volcano erupting. The height of its eruption column reached 5,500 meters earlier in the day, the Kagoshima Meteorological Office said.

Volcano eruption in southwestern Japan

Volcano eruption in southwestern Japan

Photo taken on the morning of Aug. 28, 2025, from an unmanned fixed-point camera in Kirishima in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, shows the Shinmoedake volcano erupting. The height of its eruption column reached 5,500 meters earlier in the day, the Kagoshima Meteorological Office said.

Japan: Typhoon Lingling Triggers Flooding in Southern Kyushu After Making Landfall 3

Typhoon Lingling made landfall in Kagoshima Prefecture on the evening of Thursday, August 21, bringing heavy rain and widespread damage across Kyushu. Flooding and landslides were reported in multiple areas. This video shows flooded streets in Chuzancho in Kagoshima City.

Japan: Typhoon Lingling Triggers Flooding in Southern Kyushu After Making Landfall 2

Typhoon Lingling made landfall in Kagoshima Prefecture on the evening of Thursday, August 21, bringing heavy rain and widespread damage across Kyushu. Flooding and landslides were reported in multiple areas. This video shows flooded streets in Minamisatsuma City.

Japan: Typhoon Lingling Triggers Flooding in Southern Kyushu After Making Landfall

Typhoon Lingling made landfall in Kagoshima Prefecture on the evening of Thursday, August 21, bringing heavy rain and widespread damage across southern Kyushu. Flooding and landslides were reported in multiple areas. This video shows flooded streets in Kagoshima City.

Japan: Typhoon Lingling Brings Heavy Rain, Damage to Kagoshima

Typhoon Lingling made landfall in Kagoshima Prefecture on the evening of Thursday, August 21, bringing heavy rain and widespread damage across Kyushu. Flooding and landslides were reported in multiple areas. The Otani River in Kawanabe Town overflowed, inundating roads and vehicles, while Ichikikushikino City saw at least five landslides near residential zones, prompting evacuation orders. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued heavy rain emergency warnings for Kirishima City and landslide alerts throughout Kagoshima, with local authorities enforcing evacuations in affected areas.

Apparent fireball reported in Japan

Apparent fireball reported in Japan

Photo taken by an unmanned fixed-point camera at 11:08 p.m. on Aug. 19, 2025, shows the Sakurajima volcano in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kagoshima. Many people in western and southwestern Japan reported on social media seeing what appeared to be a fireball on the night of Aug. 19.

Apparent fireball reported in Japan

Apparent fireball reported in Japan

Photo taken by an unmanned fixed-point camera at 11:08 p.m. on Aug. 19, 2025, shows the Sakurajima volcano in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kagoshima. Many people in western and southwestern Japan reported on social media seeing what appeared to be a fireball on the night of Aug. 19.

Torrential rain in Kagoshima Pref.

KIRISHIMA, Japan, Aug. 8 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 8, 2025, shows the site of a landslide on a mountain in Kirishima in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, following record-breaking torrential rain. (Kyodo)

Japan: Record Rainfall Batters Kagoshima, Triggering Floods and Landslides 5

Record rainfall battered Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan, on Friday, August 8, triggering floods and landslides. Evacuation advisories were issued for more than 360,000 people in the prefecture and neighboring Miyazaki. In Kirishima City’s Mizobe district, a record-breaking hourly rainfall of 107.5 millimeters was observed. In Aira City, a mudslide struck a house, burying two people, who were rescued alive and taken to hospital.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Kagoshima Pref.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Kagoshima Pref.

Japan Self-Defense Force personnel supply water to residents in Kirishima in Kagoshima Prefecture on Aug. 9, 2025, after record-breaking rainfall in the southwestern Japan city.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Kagoshima Pref.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Kagoshima Pref.

A rescue operation is under way at a collapsed house in Aira in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 9, 2025, following torrential rain in the region.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Kagoshima Pref.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Kagoshima Pref.

A rescue operation is under way at a collapsed house in Aira in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 9, 2025, following torrential rain in the region.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Kagoshima Pref.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Kagoshima Pref.

A rescue operation is under way at a collapsed house in Aira in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 9, 2025, following torrential rain in the region.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Kagoshima Pref.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Kagoshima Pref.

A rescue operation is under way at a collapsed house in Aira in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 9, 2025, following torrential rain in the region.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Kagoshima Pref.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Kagoshima Pref.

Photo taken on Aug. 9, 2025, shows a partially collapsed road in Aira in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, following torrential rain in the region.