MSDF's new submarine launched

MSDF's new submarine launched

A launch ceremony for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's newly built submarine Sogei is held at the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. shipyard in Kobe, western Japan, on Oct. 14, 2025.

MSDF's new submarine launched

MSDF's new submarine launched

A launch ceremony for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's newly built submarine Sogei is held at a Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. shipyard in Kobe, western Japan, on Oct. 14, 2025.

Madame Tussauds BEIJING Closed

Madame Tussauds BEIJING Closed

Wax figure of Athlete Kobe in Madame Tussauds BEIJING, Beijing, China on September 30, 2025.

Japan's forced sterilization victim

Japan's forced sterilization victim

Yumi Suzuki, one of the plaintiffs who sued the Japanese government over forced sterilization under the now-defunct eugenics protection law, is pictured at her home in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan, in March 2019.

Fatal stabbing of woman in western Japan

Fatal stabbing of woman in western Japan

A woman prays on Aug. 27, 2025, in front of an apartment building in Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, where a female resident was stabbed to death a week earlier.

Fatal stabbing of woman in western Japan

Fatal stabbing of woman in western Japan

Photo taken on Aug. 27, 2025, shows flowers and drinks offered in front of an apartment building in Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, where a female resident was stabbed to death a week earlier.

GLION ARENA KOBE signboard and logo

GLION ARENA KOBE signboard and logo

GLION ARENA KOBE signboard and logo=July 30,2025,Hyogo

GLION ARENA KOBE signboard and logo

GLION ARENA KOBE signboard and logo

GLION ARENA KOBE signboard and logo=July 30,2025,Hyogo

TOTTEI KOBE signboard and logo

TOTTEI KOBE signboard and logo

TOTTEI KOBE signboard and logo=July 30,2025,Hyogo

Exterior of GLION ARENA KOBE

Exterior of GLION ARENA KOBE

Exterior of GLION ARENA KOBE=July 30,2025,Hyogo

TOTTEI KOBE signboard and logo

TOTTEI KOBE signboard and logo

TOTTEI KOBE signboard and logo=July 30,2025,Hyogo

Football: Barcelona vs. Kobe

Football: Barcelona vs. Kobe

Lamine Yamal (R) of Barcelona shoots in the first half of a club international friendly against Vissel Kobe at Noevir Stadium in Kobe, western Japan, on July 27, 2025.

Football: Barcelona vs. Kobe

Football: Barcelona vs. Kobe

Andreas Christensen (L) of Barcelona and Ren Komatsu of Vissel Kobe jump for the ball in the second half of a club international friendly at Noevir Stadium in Kobe, western Japan, on July 27, 2025.

Football: Barcelona vs. Kobe

Football: Barcelona vs. Kobe

Taisei Miyashiro (L) of Vissel Kobe prepares to shoot in the first half of a club international friendly against Barcelona at Noevir Stadium in Kobe, western Japan, on July 27, 2025.

Football: Barcelona vs. Kobe

Football: Barcelona vs. Kobe

Raphinha of Barcelona heads at goal in the first half of a club international friendly against Vissel Kobe at Noevir Stadium in Kobe, western Japan, on July 27, 2025.

Football: Barcelona vs. Kobe

Football: Barcelona vs. Kobe

Lamine Yamal (L) of Barcelona and Katsuya Nagato of Vissel Kobe vie for the ball in the first half of a club international friendly at Noevir Stadium in Kobe, western Japan, on July 27, 2025.

Football: Barcelona president

Football: Barcelona president

Joan Laporta, president of Spanish football club Barcelona, gives an interview in Kobe, western Japan, on July 27, 2025.

Football: Barcelona vs. Kobe

Football: Barcelona vs. Kobe

Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona passes the ball in the second half of a club international friendly against Vissel Kobe at Noevir Stadium in Kobe, western Japan, on July 27, 2025.

Football: Barcelona president

Football: Barcelona president

Joan Laporta, president of Spanish football club Barcelona, gives an interview in Kobe, western Japan, on July 27, 2025.

Football: Barcelona president

Football: Barcelona president

Joan Laporta, president of Spanish football club Barcelona, gives an interview in Kobe, western Japan, on July 27, 2025.

Football: Barcelona president

Football: Barcelona president

Joan Laporta, president of Spanish football club Barcelona, gives an interview in Kobe, western Japan, on July 27, 2025.

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.

Japan upper house election campaign

Japan upper house election campaign

Tetsuo Saito, head of the Komeito party, the junior partner in Japan's ruling coalition, makes a stump speech in Kobe, western Japan, on July 3, 2025, as official campaigning begins for the July 20 House of Councillors election.

Japan upper house election campaign

Japan upper house election campaign

Tetsuo Saito, head of the Komeito party, the junior partner in Japan's ruling coalition, makes a stump speech in Kobe, western Japan, on July 3, 2025, as official campaigning begins for the July 20 House of Councillors election.

Japan upper house election campaign

Japan upper house election campaign

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows people listening to a stump speech in Kobe, western Japan, on July 3, 2025, as official campaigning begins for the July 20 House of Councillors election.

Japan upper house election campaign

Japan upper house election campaign

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows people listening to a stump speech in Kobe, western Japan, on July 3, 2025, as official campaigning begins for the July 20 House of Councillors election.

Japan upper house election campaign

Japan upper house election campaign

Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba, head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, makes a stump speech in Kobe, western Japan, on July 3, 2025, as official campaigning begins for the July 20 House of Councillors election.

Japan upper house election campaign

Japan upper house election campaign

Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba, head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, makes a stump speech in Kobe, western Japan, on July 3, 2025, as official campaigning begins for the July 20 House of Councillors election.

Japan upper house election campaign

Japan upper house election campaign

Takashi Tachibana, head of the fringe NHK Party, makes a stump speech in Kobe, western Japan, on July 3, 2025, as official campaigning begins for the July 20 House of Councillors election.

Passenger ferry resumes between Shanghai and 2 Japanese cities

Passenger ferry resumes between Shanghai and 2 Japanese cities

Photo taken on June 28, 2025, shows a ferry at a port in Shanghai ahead of its departure to Osaka, Japan, with around 30 Chinese passengers aboard. Commercial services between Shanghai and Osaka, and between Shanghai and Kobe resumed the same day for the first time in about five years, following a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Figure skating: 3-time world champ Sakamoto to retire after Olympics

Figure skating: 3-time world champ Sakamoto to retire after Olympics

Japanese figure skater Kaori Sakamoto, winner of three consecutive world championships through 2024, meets the press in Kobe, western Japan, on June 20, 2025. The 25-year-old said she will retire from competition after the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

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.

Figure skating: 3-time world champ Sakamoto to retire after Olympics

Figure skating: 3-time world champ Sakamoto to retire after Olympics

Japanese figure skater Kaori Sakamoto, winner of three consecutive world championships through 2024, meets the press in Kobe, western Japan, on June 20, 2025. The 25-year-old said she will retire from competition after the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

Figure skating: 3-time world champ Sakamoto to retire after Olympics

Figure skating: 3-time world champ Sakamoto to retire after Olympics

Japanese figure skater Kaori Sakamoto, winner of three consecutive world championships through 2024, meets the press in Kobe, western Japan, on June 20, 2025. The 25-year-old said she will retire from competition after the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

Meerkat at Kobe zoo

Meerkat at Kobe zoo

Photo taken on May 7, 2025, shows a meerkat at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe, western Japan.

Meerkat at Kobe zoo

Meerkat at Kobe zoo

Photo taken on May 7, 2025, shows a meerkat at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe, western Japan.

Meerkats at Kobe zoo

Meerkats at Kobe zoo

Photo taken on May 7, 2025, show meerkats at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe, western Japan.

Meerkats at Kobe zoo

Meerkats at Kobe zoo

Photo taken on May 7, 2025, show meerkats at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe, western Japan.

MOTORI - Endurance - GT World Challenge Round 4

MOTORI - Endurance - GT World Challenge Round 4

Nicolas BAERT (BEL), Jamie DAY (ARE), Kobe PAUWELS (BEL) â #21 Comtoyou Racing, Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO during GT World Challenge Round 4, Endurance race in Monza, Italy, June 01 2025

MOTORI - Endurance - GT World Challenge Round 4

MOTORI - Endurance - GT World Challenge Round 4

Nicolas BAERT (BEL), Jamie DAY (ARE), Kobe PAUWELS (BEL) â #21 Comtoyou Racing, Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO during GT World Challenge Round 4, Endurance race in Monza, Italy, June 01 2025

MOTORI - Endurance - GT World Challenge Round 4

MOTORI - Endurance - GT World Challenge Round 4

Nicolas BAERT (BEL), Jamie DAY (ARE), Kobe PAUWELS (BEL) â #21 Comtoyou Racing, Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO during GT World Challenge Round 4, Endurance race in Monza, Italy, June 01 2025

MOTORI - GT World Challenge - Round 4 - Monza

MOTORI - GT World Challenge - Round 4 - Monza

Nicolas BAERT, Jamie DAY and Kobe PAUWELS driving the (#21) Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO of team Comtoyou Racing during Round 4 - Monza, GT World Challenge race in Monza, Italy, May 31 2025