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Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken in January 1994 at the parliament building in Tokyo shows Liberal Democratic Party leader Yohei Kono (L) shaking hands with Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa. Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, known for announcing the Japanese government's landmark apology over Korean "comfort women" who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels, died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

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Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2016, shows Yohei Kono speaking during an interview. Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, known for announcing the Japanese government's landmark apology over Korean "comfort women" who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels, died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

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Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken in November 2015 shows Yohei Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, known for announcing the Japanese government's landmark apology over Korean "comfort women" who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels. He died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

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Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken in August 1993 at the prime minister's office in Tokyo shows Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono issuing an official statement acknowledging the Japanese military's responsibility for the forced labor of Korean "comfort women" in Japan's wartime military brothels, and announcing the government's landmark apology for the issue. Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

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Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken in June 1994 at the parliament building in Tokyo shows (from R) Liberal Democratic Party leader Yohei Kono, Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama of the Japan Socialist Party and New Party Sakigake leader Masayoshi Takemura shaking hands before a meeting to form the Cabinet of their new coalition government. Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, known for announcing the Japanese government's landmark apology over Korean "comfort women" who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels, died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

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Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken in July 1993 at the Liberal Democratic Party's headquarters in Tokyo shows Yohei Kono (L) following his victory in the party's presidential election. Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, known for announcing the Japanese government's landmark apology over Korean "comfort women" who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels, died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

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Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken on July 5, 2023, shows Yohei Kono (L), leader of a delegation from the Japanese Association for the Promotion of International Trade, meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, known for announcing the Japanese government's landmark apology over Korean "comfort women" who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels, died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

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Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken in September 2005 shows Yohei Kono (L) and his son Taro pointing at their nameplates as they arrived at the parliament building in Tokyo following a general election of the Japanese House of Representatives. Yohei Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, known for announcing the Japanese government's landmark apology over Korean "comfort women" who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels, died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

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Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken in Tokyo on March 23, 2025, shows Yohei Kono (L), former speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives, posing for a photo with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, known for announcing the Japanese government's landmark apology over Korean "comfort women" who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels, died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

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Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken in Tokyo on July 21, 2009, shows Japanese House of Representatives speaker Yohei Kono announcing the dissolution of the lower house during its plenary session. Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, known for announcing the Japanese government's landmark apology over Korean "comfort women" who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels, died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

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Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken in July 1994 shows Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono (R) chatting with Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama ahead of a Cabinet meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo. Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, known for announcing the Japanese government's landmark apology over Korean "comfort women" who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels, died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

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Lower house passes FY2026 supplementary budget plan

Lower house passes FY2026 supplementary budget plan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (far R) bows after the House of Representatives passed a fiscal 2026 supplementary budget plan during a plenary session in Tokyo on June 4, 2026.

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Lower house passes FY2026 supplementary budget plan

Lower house passes FY2026 supplementary budget plan

Japan's House of Representatives passes a fiscal 2026 supplementary budget plan during a plenary session in Tokyo on June 4, 2026.

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Hearing-impaired lawmaker at Japan parliament session

Hearing-impaired lawmaker at Japan parliament session

Japanese House of Representatives lawmaker Rie Saito, who has impaired hearing, takes part in a question-and-answer session at a lower house committee in Tokyo on May 27, 2026, using a tablet incorporating "readspeaker" text-to-speech software.

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Hearing-impaired lawmaker at Japan parliament session

Hearing-impaired lawmaker at Japan parliament session

Japanese House of Representatives lawmaker Rie Saito, who has impaired hearing, takes part in a question-and-answer session at a lower house committee in Tokyo on May 27, 2026, using a tablet incorporating "readspeaker" text-to-speech software.

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Hearing-impaired lawmaker at Japan parliament session

Hearing-impaired lawmaker at Japan parliament session

Japanese House of Representatives lawmaker Rie Saito, who has impaired hearing, takes part in a question-and-answer session at a lower house committee in Tokyo on May 27, 2026, using a tablet incorporating "readspeaker" text-to-speech software.

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Bill to create new Japan intelligence committee passes lower house

Bill to create new Japan intelligence committee passes lower house

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara bows after the House of Representatives passed a bill to establish a national intelligence committee during a plenary session in Tokyo on April 23, 2026.

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Bill to create new Japan intelligence committee passes lower house

Bill to create new Japan intelligence committee passes lower house

Japan's House of Representatives passes a bill to establish a national intelligence committee during a plenary session in Tokyo on April 23, 2026.

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Bill to create new Japan intelligence committee passes lower house

Bill to create new Japan intelligence committee passes lower house

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) smiles after the House of Representatives passed a bill to establish a national intelligence committee during a plenary session in Tokyo on April 23, 2026.

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Bill to create new Japan intelligence committee passes lower house

Bill to create new Japan intelligence committee passes lower house

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) bows after the House of Representatives passed a bill to establish a national intelligence committee during a plenary session in Tokyo on April 23, 2026.

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Bill to create new Japan intelligence committee passes lower house

Bill to create new Japan intelligence committee passes lower house

Japan's House of Representatives passes a bill to establish a national intelligence committee during a plenary session in Tokyo on April 23, 2026.

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Bill to create new Japan intelligence committee passes lower house

Bill to create new Japan intelligence committee passes lower house

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) smiles after the House of Representatives passed a bill to establish a national intelligence committee during a plenary session in Tokyo on April 23, 2026.

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BOJ chief addresses lower house session

BOJ chief addresses lower house session

Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda (R) speaks during a House of Representatives Budget Committee session in Tokyo on March 30, 2026.

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Lower house passes fiscal 2026 state budget

Lower house passes fiscal 2026 state budget

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front, R) smiles after the House of Representatives passed a record initial state budget for fiscal 2026 during a plenary session in Tokyo on March 13, 2026.

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Lower house passes fiscal 2026 state budget

Lower house passes fiscal 2026 state budget

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi smiles after the House of Representatives passed a record initial state budget for fiscal 2026 during a plenary session in Tokyo on March 13, 2026.

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Lower house passes fiscal 2026 state budget

Lower house passes fiscal 2026 state budget

The House of Representatives passes a record initial state budget for fiscal 2026 during a plenary session in Tokyo on March 13, 2026.

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Lower house passes fiscal 2026 state budget

Lower house passes fiscal 2026 state budget

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) bows after the House of Representatives passed a record initial state budget for fiscal 2026 during a plenary session in Tokyo on March 13, 2026.

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Lower house passes fiscal 2026 state budget

Lower house passes fiscal 2026 state budget

The House of Representatives passes a record initial state budget for fiscal 2026 during a plenary session in Tokyo on March 13, 2026.

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Lower house passes fiscal 2026 state budget

Lower house passes fiscal 2026 state budget

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (far R) bows after the House of Representatives passed a record initial state budget for fiscal 2026 during a plenary session in Tokyo on March 13, 2026.

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Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from R) chats with Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) after casting a vote during a lower house plenary session in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026, to select the new prime minister following the Feb. 8 general election.

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Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi casts her vote during a lower house plenary session in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026, to select the new prime minister following the Feb. 8 general election.

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Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi casts her vote during a lower house plenary session in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026, to select the new prime minister following the Feb. 8 general election.

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Special Diet session

Special Diet session

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi casts her vote during a lower house plenary session in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026, to select the new prime minister following the Feb. 8 general election.

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Mori elected as Japan's lower house speaker

Mori elected as Japan's lower house speaker

Former Justice Minister Eisuke Mori (C) of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party is elected as the speaker of the House of Representatives during a plenary session in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026.

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Mori elected as Japan's lower house speaker

Mori elected as Japan's lower house speaker

Former Justice Minister Eisuke Mori (C) of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party is elected as the speaker of the House of Representatives during a plenary session in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026.

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Mori elected as Japan's lower house speaker

Mori elected as Japan's lower house speaker

Former Justice Minister Eisuke Mori (C) of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party is elected as the speaker of the House of Representatives during a plenary session in Tokyo on Feb. 18, 2026.

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[Breaking News]Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 23 Kyodo - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after dissolving the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8. (Kyodo)

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Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) and other lawmakers from her Liberal Democratic Party raise their fists in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after she dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) and other lawmakers from her Liberal Democratic Party raise their fists in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after she dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after dissolving the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after dissolving the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after dissolving the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after dissolving the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after dissolving the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Photo taken on Jan. 23, 2026, shows a street television reporting news that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Photo taken on Jan. 23, 2026, shows a street television reporting news that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows people listening to a politician's speech in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows people listening to a politician's speech in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Japan PM dissolves lower house for snap general election

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows people listening to a politician's speech in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

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[Breaking News]PM Takaichi announces plan to dissolve lower house

TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 19 Kyodo - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a press conference at the premier's office in Tokyo on Jan. 19, 2026, explaining her plan to dissolve the House of Representatives on Jan. 23 for a snap general election on Feb. 8. (Kyodo)

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