31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Bamboo lanterns are lit at a park in Kobe on Jan. 17, 2026, to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Bamboo lanterns are lit at a park in Kobe on Jan. 17, 2026, to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Bamboo lanterns are lit at a park in Kobe on Jan. 17, 2026, to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Lanterns are lit at a park in Kobe on Jan. 17, 2026, to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Lanterns are lit at a park in Kobe on Jan. 17, 2026, to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

[Breaking News]Artwork collapses before illumination event in Kobe

KOBE, Japan, Jan. 11 Kyodo - Video taken on Jan. 11, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a fallen artwork following a gale at a park in Kobe ahead of the opening on Jan. 30 of the "Luminarie" illumination event in memory of the victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people. (Kyodo)

Artwork collapses before illumination event in Kobe

Artwork collapses before illumination event in Kobe

Photo taken on Jan. 11, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a fallen artwork following a gale at a park in Kobe ahead of the opening on Jan. 30 of the "Luminarie" illumination event in memory of the victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Artwork collapses before illumination event in Kobe

Artwork collapses before illumination event in Kobe

Photo taken on Jan. 11, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a fallen artwork following a gale at a park in Kobe ahead of the opening on Jan. 30 of the "Luminarie" illumination event in memory of the victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Artwork collapses before illumination event in Kobe

Artwork collapses before illumination event in Kobe

Photo taken on Jan. 11, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a fallen artwork following a gale at a park in Kobe ahead of the opening on Jan. 30 of the "Luminarie" illumination event in memory of the victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

An illumination reading "Kobe 1. 17" is observed on Mt. Dotoku in Kobe on Jan. 9, 2026, ahead of the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity in 1995, killing more than 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

An illumination reading "Kobe 1. 17" is observed on Mt. Dotoku in Kobe on Jan. 9, 2026, ahead of the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity in 1995, killing more than 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

An illumination reading "Kobe 1. 17" is observed on Mt. Dotoku in Kobe on Jan. 9, 2026, ahead of the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity in 1995, killing more than 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

An illumination reading "Kobe 1. 17" is observed on Mt. Dotoku in Kobe on Jan. 9, 2026, ahead of the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity in 1995, killing more than 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

An illumination reading "Kobe 1. 17" is observed on Mt. Dotoku in Kobe on Jan. 9, 2026, ahead of the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity in 1995, killing more than 6,400 people.

Football: AFC Champions League Elite

SHANGHAI, China, Nov. 27 Kyodo - Security officers stand guard in front of Shanghai Stadium in the Chinese coastal city, ahead of an AFC Champions League Elite first-round match between Shanghai Shenhua and Japan's Vissel Kobe on Nov. 26, 2025, amid a worsening diplomatic row between the two countries. (Kyodo)

Football: AFC Champions League Elite

Football: AFC Champions League Elite

Security officers stand guard in front of Shanghai Stadium in the Chinese coastal city, ahead of an AFC Champions League Elite first-round match between Shanghai Shenhua and Japan's Vissel Kobe on Nov. 26, 2025, amid a worsening diplomatic row between the two countries.

Football: AFC Champions League Elite

Football: AFC Champions League Elite

Police officers stand guard in front of Shanghai Stadium in the Chinese coastal city, ahead of an AFC Champions League Elite first round match between Shanghai Shenhua and Japan's Vissel Kobe on Nov. 26, 2025, amid a worsening diplomatic row between the two countries.

Football: AFC Champions League Elite

Football: AFC Champions League Elite

Security officers stand guard in front of Shanghai Stadium in the Chinese coastal city, ahead of an AFC Champions League Elite first-round match between Shanghai Shenhua and Japan's Vissel Kobe on Nov. 26, 2025, amid a worsening diplomatic row between the two countries.

Santa Claus decoration in Kobe

Santa Claus decoration in Kobe

Photo taken on Nov. 19, 2025, shows a Christmas decoration featuring Santa Claus posing as the Osaka expo's official mascot Myaku-Myaku (bottom) alongside Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (top, far R), Dodgers pitcher and World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (top, 2nd from R) raising the MVP trophy, Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (top, 3rd from R) holding his newborn baby, Japan's first female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (top, 2nd from L) and farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi carrying a sack of rice, on top of the Uroko no Ie building in the historical Kitano Ijinkan district of the western Japan city of Kobe.

Figure skating: Sakamoto skates at new rink opening ceremony

Figure skating: Sakamoto skates at new rink opening ceremony

Japanese figure skater Kaori Sakamoto (front) performs during a ceremony to open a new skating rink in her home city of Kobe, western Japan, on June 20, 2025.

Figure skating: Sakamoto skates at new rink opening ceremony

Figure skating: Sakamoto skates at new rink opening ceremony

Japanese figure skater Kaori Sakamoto performs during a ceremony to open a new skating rink in her home city of Kobe, western Japan, on June 20, 2025.

Figure skating: Sakamoto skates at new rink opening ceremony

Figure skating: Sakamoto skates at new rink opening ceremony

Japanese figure skater Kaori Sakamoto performs during a ceremony to open a new skating rink in her home city of Kobe, western Japan, on June 20, 2025.

Figure skating: Sakamoto skates at new rink opening ceremony

Figure skating: Sakamoto skates at new rink opening ceremony

Japanese figure skater Kaori Sakamoto performs during a ceremony to open a new skating rink in her home city of Kobe, western Japan, on June 20, 2025.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

KOBE, Japan, Jan. 24 Kyodo - The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 24, 2025, in Kobe in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people. (Kyodo)

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 24, 2025, in Kobe in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 24, 2025, in Kobe in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 24, 2025, in Kobe in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 24, 2025, in Kobe in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 24, 2025, in Kobe in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

Illumination event in Kobe in memory of quake victims

The "Luminarie" illumination event opens on Jan. 24, 2025, in Kobe in memory of the victims of the January 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

KOBE, Japan, Jan. 16 Kyodo - Paper lanterns are lit at a park in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 16, 2025, the eve of the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,000 people. (Kyodo)

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

People pray during a memorial ceremony at a park in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 17, 2025, the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Photo shows lit lanterns at a park in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 17, 2025, the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Photo lit lanterns at a park in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 17, 2025, the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows lit lanterns at a park in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 17, 2025, the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows lit lanterns at a park in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 17, 2025, the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows lit lanterns at a park in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 17, 2025, the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

People pray in front of a cenotaph in Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture, on Jan. 17, 2025, the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city of Kobe and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Japanese disaster management minister Manabu Sakai addresses a memorial ceremony in Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture on Jan. 17, 2025, the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Japanese Emperor Naruhito addresses a memorial ceremony in Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture on Jan. 17, 2025, the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Japanese Emperor Naruhito addresses a memorial ceremony in Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture on Jan. 17, 2025, the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Japanese Emperor Naruhito addresses a memorial ceremony in Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture on Jan. 17, 2025, the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attend a memorial ceremony in Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture on Jan. 17, 2025, the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Paper lanterns are lit to form the date "1.17" on the bank of a river near the Atomic Bomb Dome (back) at the Peace Memorial Park in the western Japan city of Hiroshima on Jan. 17, 2025, to mark the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city of Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Paper lanterns are lit on the bank of a river near the Atomic Bomb Dome (back) at the Peace Memorial Park in the western Japan city of Hiroshima on Jan. 17, 2025, to mark the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city of Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Photo shows a hand touching a memorial monument with nameplates of victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake at a park in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, on Jan. 17, 2025, the 30th anniversary of the earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attend a memorial ceremony in Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture on Jan. 17, 2025, the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako offer flowers during a memorial ceremony in Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture on Jan. 17, 2025, the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako offer flowers during a memorial ceremony in Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture on Jan. 17, 2025, the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

30th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako observe a moment of silence during a memorial ceremony in Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture on Jan. 17, 2025, the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,400 people.