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Japan: Residents Protest as Long-Range Missile Launcher Arrives at JGSDF Camp in Kumamoto 2

Early on March 9, the Ministry of Defense delivered a long-range missile launcher to the Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Kengun in Kumamoto for their first domestic deployment. In response to the move, which began without prior notice from the ministry, more than a hundred protesters gathered outside the camp, demanding the withdrawal of the deployment and the holding of a briefing for residents.

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Mascot 'Kumamon' fails to win top prize in national contest

TOKYO, Japan - "Kumamon," a popular mascot character of Kumamoto Prefecture widely used to publicize the southwestern Japan prefecture, holds an award certificate during a prefectural policymaking contest from Kyoto Governor Keiji Yamada (R), head of the National Governors' Association, in Tokyo on Sept. 4, 2014. Osaka Prefecture received the best award.

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Mascot 'Kumamon' fails to win top prize in national contest

TOKYO, Japan - "Kumamon," a popular mascot character of Kumamoto Prefecture widely used to publicize the southwestern Japan prefecture, receives an award during a prefectural policymaking contest from Kyoto Governor Keiji Yamada (R), head of the National Governors' Association, in Tokyo on Sept. 4, 2014. Osaka Prefecture received the best award.

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Kumamon's birthday party

KUMAMOTO, Japan - A birthday party is held March 12, 2014, for Kumamon, the popular black bear mascot of Japan's southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto, in the prefectural capital Kumamoto City. Governor Ikuo Kabashima and many fans of Kumamon gathered for the event.

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Kumamon's birthday party

KUMAMOTO, Japan - A birthday party is held March 12, 2014, for Kumamon, the popular black bear mascot of Japan's southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto, in the prefectural capital Kumamoto City. Governor Ikuo Kabashima and many fans of Kumamon gathered for the event.

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Kumamoto governor on recognition of Minamata patient

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Kumamoto Gov. Ikuo Kabashima holds a press conference at the prefectural government hall in Kumamoto on May 2, 2013. Kabashima said the Kumamoto prefectural government will certify a deceased woman as a victim of the Minamata mercury-poisoning disease by dropping its appeal over a lawsuit that she had filed.

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Kumamoto's bear mascot wins popularity contest

KUMAMOTO, Japan - ''Kuma-mon'' -- a black bear mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan -- receives a hug from Gov. Ikuo Kabashima at the entrance of the prefectural government office on Nov. 28, 2011. The governor congratulated the mascot for his winning of a popularity contest between about 350 local mascots the previous day.

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Governor calls for canceling Kawabe River dam project

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Kumamoto Gov. Ikuo Kabashima speaks during a news conference at Kumamoto prefectural office on Sept. 11. During a Kumamoto Prefectural Assembly meeting earlier in the day, he called on the central government to cancel a dam construction project on the Kawabe River over environmental concerns.

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Shiotani sure to win Kumamoto gubernatorial election

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Former Vice Kumamoto Gov. Yoshiko Shiotani (R) hurrahed at her campaign office in Kumamoto as she appeared set for victory in the Kumamoto gubernatorial election on April 16 to become Japan's second female governor. She was supported by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the New Komeito party.

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Governor calls for canceling Kawabe River dam project

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Kumamoto Gov. Ikuo Kabashima speaks during a news conference at Kumamoto prefectural office on Sept. 11. During a Kumamoto Prefectural Assembly meeting earlier in the day, he called on the central government to cancel a dam construction project on the Kawabe River over environmental concerns. (Kyodo)

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Incoming Kagoshima governor to ask utility to suspend nuclear plant

Incoming Kagoshima Gov. Satoshi Mitazono gives an interview to Kyodo News in the southwestern Japan city of Kagoshima on July 13, 2016. The former TV commentator said he plans to ask Kyushu Electric Power Co. to suspend operation of its Sendai nuclear power plant for safety checks, following powerful earthquakes that hit nearby Kumamoto and Oita prefectures in April. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Minamata marks 60th anniv. of mercury-poisoning disease recognition

Around 50 people pray for the victims of Minamata mercury-poisoning disease at a memorial ceremony in the city of Minamata in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on May 1, 2016, marking the 60th anniversary of Japan's official recognition of the illness linked to industrial pollution. An annual memorial service usually attended by the environment minister and Kumamoto governor was postponed in the wake of a series of powerful earthquakes in the region since mid-April. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Minamata marks 60th anniv. of mercury-poisoning disease recognition

Around 50 people pray for the victims of Minamata mercury-poisoning disease at a memorial ceremony in the city of Minamata in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on May 1, 2016, marking the 60th anniversary of Japan's official recognition of the illness linked to industrial pollution. An annual memorial service usually attended by the environment minister and Kumamoto governor was postponed in the wake of a series of powerful earthquakes in the region since mid-April. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Kumamon reinstated as Kumamoto sales manager

Ikuo Kabashima (L), governor of Japan's southwestern Kumamoto Prefecture, hands an appointment letter to Kumamoto's black bear mascot Kumamon, reinstating him as sales manager for the prefecture, at the prefectural government office on June 29, 2015. Kumamon was demoted to acting sales manager in March as "a punishment for failing to lose weight." The governor commented that Kumamon did not sulk about the demotion and worked even harder. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Kumamoto governor receives courtesy visit by Chinese mission head

Kumamoto Gov. Ikuo Kabashima (R) receives a courtesy call at his office in the southwestern Japanese city on April 23, 2015, by Lu Fengding, head of a mission sent to Japan by Chinese media and other organizations for the promotion of exchanges between the two countries. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Kumamon fails in diet, demoted to assistant manager

"Kumamon," Kumamoto Prefecture's popular black bear mascot, holds a letter of appointment in Tokyo on March 30, 2015, after Kumamoto Gov. Ikuo Kabashima announced Kumamon's demotion from sales manager to assistant sales manager as a penalty for failing to lose weight. The mascot had been on a diet since October 2014 after the governor pointed out that it was too fat. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Kumamon fails in diet, demoted to assistant manager

"Kumamon," Kumamoto Prefecture's popular black bear mascot, is pictured in Tokyo on March 30, 2015, after Kumamoto Gov. Ikuo Kabashima announced Kumamon's demotion from sales manager to assistant sales manager as a penalty for failing to lose weight. The mascot had been on a diet since October 2014 after the governor pointed out that it was too fat. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Candidates for Tokyo gubernatorial election

Screenshot image taken June 17, 2020, shows candidates for the July 5 Tokyo gubernatorial election during an online press conference. Seen clockwise from top center are Taisuke Ono, former vice governor of Kumamoto, Takashi Tachibana, who heads the single-issue party known as NHK Kara Kokumin Wo Mamoru To (the party to protect the people from Japan Broadcasting Corp.), Taro Yamamoto, leader of the anti-establishment party Reiwa Shinsengumi, incumbent governor Yuriko Koike and Kenji Utsunomiya, former head of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Mascot 'Kumamon' fails to win top prize in national contest

TOKYO, Japan - "Kumamon," a popular mascot character of Kumamoto Prefecture widely used to publicize the southwestern Japan prefecture, receives an award during a prefectural policymaking contest from Kyoto Governor Keiji Yamada (R), head of the National Governors' Association, in Tokyo on Sept. 4, 2014. Osaka Prefecture received the best award. (Kyodo)

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Kumamoto's bear mascot wins popularity contest

KUMAMOTO, Japan - ''Kuma-mon'' -- a black bear mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan -- receives a hug from Gov. Ikuo Kabashima at the entrance of the prefectural government office on Nov. 28, 2011. The governor congratulated the mascot for his winning of a popularity contest between about 350 local mascots the previous day. (Kyodo)

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Tokyo gubernatorial election

Tokyo gubernatorial election candidate Taisuke Ono (C), the former vice governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, heads to a press conference in Tokyo after his rival and incumbent Yuriko Koike was assured of winning a second term in the election on July 5, 2020.

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Tokyo gubernatorial election

Tokyo gubernatorial election candidate Taisuke Ono (C), the former vice governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, bows at a press conference in Tokyo after his rival and incumbent Yuriko Koike was assured of winning a second term in the election on July 5, 2020.

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Tokyo gubernatorial election

Tokyo gubernatorial election candidate Taisuke Ono, the former vice governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, speaks after his rival and incumbent Yuriko Koike was assured of winning a second term in the election on July 5, 2020.

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Day before Tokyo gubernatorial election

Tokyo gubernatorial election candidate Taisuke Ono, the former vice governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, makes a speech in Tokyo on July 4, 2020, a day before the vote.

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Campaigning for Tokyo gubernatorial election

Taisuke Ono, former vice governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, makes a speech in Tokyo on June 28, 2020, during his campaign for the July 5 Tokyo gubernatorial election. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Campaigning for Tokyo gubernatorial election

Taisuke Ono, former vice governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, makes a speech in Tokyo on June 20, 2020, during his campaign for the July 5 Tokyo gubernatorial election. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Campaigning for Tokyo gubernatorial election

Taisuke Ono, former vice governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, bumps elbows with a voter in Tokyo on June 20, 2020, during his campaign for the July 5 Tokyo gubernatorial election. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Campaigning begins for Tokyo governor race

Taisuke Ono, former vice governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, speaks to people on a shopping street in Tokyo's Nakano Ward on June 18, 2020, as campaigning officially kicked off for the July 5 Tokyo gubernatorial election. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Campaigning begins for Tokyo governor race

Combined photo taken on June 18, 2020, shows five candidates for the July 5 Tokyo gubernatorial election making a speech as campaigning officially kicks off the same day. They are (from R) are actor-turned-politician Taro Yamamoto, head of the anti-establishment political party Reiwa Shinsengumi, Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, Kenji Utsunomiya, a former head of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, Taisuke Ono, former vice governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, and Takashi Tachibana, who heads a single-issue party that vows to "crush" Japan's public broadcaster commonly known as NHK. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Campaigning begins for Tokyo governor race

Taisuke Ono, former vice governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, speaks in Tokyo on June 18, 2020, as campaigning officially kicked off for the July 5 Tokyo gubernatorial election. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Campaigning begins for Tokyo governor race

Taisuke Ono, former vice governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, makes a speech in Tokyo on June 18, 2020, as campaigning officially kicked off for the July 5 Tokyo gubernatorial election. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Campaigning begins for Tokyo governor race

Taisuke Ono (top), former vice governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, makes a speech in Tokyo on June 18, 2020, as campaigning officially kicked off for the July 5 Tokyo gubernatorial election. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Campaigning begins for Tokyo governor race

Taisuke Ono, former vice governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, makes a speech in Tokyo on June 18, 2020, as campaigning officially kicked off for the July 5 Tokyo gubernatorial election. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Campaigning begins for Tokyo governor race

Taisuke Ono, former vice governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, waves in front of his campaign office in Tokyo on June 18, 2020. Campaigning officially kicked off the same day for the July 5 Tokyo gubernatorial election. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Candidates for Tokyo gubernatorial election

Screenshot image taken June 17, 2020, shows Taisuke Ono, former vice governor of Kumamoto, joining an online press conference for candidates in the July 5 Tokyo gubernatorial election. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Kumamon ends nationwide "thank you" tour

Kumamon, the black bear mascot of Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, gives an autograph to Takayuki Fujiwara, the deputy governor of Shimane Prefecture, in Matsue on March 20, 2018, at the end of the mascot's nationwide tour to thank people for the support Kumamoto has received since it was struck by a series of massive earthquakes in April 2016. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Kumamon generates record sales

Ikuo Kabashima, the governor of Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, says in Kumamoto on March 20, 2018, that products bearing the image of "Kumamon," the prefecture's black bear mascot, generated record sales of at least 140 billion yen, or about $1.3 billion, buoyed by strong overseas sales. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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22nd anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake marked

Toshizo Ido, governor of the western Japan prefecture of Hyogo, addresses a commemorative ceremony in Kobe for victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake, on Jan. 17, 2017, the 22nd anniversary of the disaster. Referring to the 2011 quake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in northeastern Japan and the 2016 massive quakes in the southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto, Ido stressed the importance of crisis management. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Shiotani sure to win Kumamoto gubernatorial election

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Former Vice Kumamoto Gov. Yoshiko Shiotani (R) hurrahed at her campaign office in Kumamoto as she appeared set for victory in the Kumamoto gubernatorial election on April 16 to become Japan's second female governor. She was supported by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the New Komeito party.

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Kumamoto Gov. Fukushima dies in a spa inn

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Kumamoto Gov. Joji Fukushima dies of cardiac infarction on Feb. 25 in a Kumamoto hospital, after collapsing in an inn with a hot spring. The 72-year-old lawmaker-turned-governor, who was appointed labor minister in August 1989 in the cabinet of then Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu, was first elected governor in 1991.