Interview with Finnish foreign minister

Interview with Finnish foreign minister

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen speaks during an interview in Helsinki on Aug. 13, 2026.

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolay Nozdrev leaves the Japanese Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, after receiving an official protest from Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi over Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido.

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolay Nozdrev (far R) leaves the Japanese Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, after receiving an official protest from Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi over Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido.

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolay Nozdrev (C) enters the Japanese Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, after Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned him following Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido.

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolay Nozdrev (L) enters the Japanese Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, after Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi summoned him following Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido.

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Russian President Putin visits Etorofu Island

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (R) meets the press at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, after he summoned Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolay Nozdrev and lodged a strong protest over Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido.

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido "totally unacceptable."

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido "totally unacceptable."

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido "totally unacceptable."

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido "totally unacceptable."

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japan PM meets press over Putin's visit to Etorofu Island

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's official residence in Tokyo on Aug. 13, 2026, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit earlier in the day to the Russian-held, Japanese-claimed Etorofu Island off Hokkaido "totally unacceptable."

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu dies at 97

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji (L) talks with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on April 12, 2002, at the first Boao Forum for Asia held in Hainan, China. Zhu, who played a key role in China's economic reforms as premier from 1998 to 2003 under President Jiang Zemin, died on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 97.

Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Hiroshi Okuda (R), a former Japan Business Federation head and president and chairman of Toyota Motor Corp., is pictured with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in January 2005. Okuda, who played a key role in supporting reforms under Prime Minister Koizumi's administration in the 2000s, died on Aug. 8, 2026, aged 93.

Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Hiroshi Okuda (R), a former Japan Business Federation head and president and chairman of Toyota Motor Corp., is pictured with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in January 2005. Okuda, who played a key role in supporting reforms under Prime Minister Koizumi's administration in the 2000s, died on Aug. 8, 2026, aged 93.

Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Ex-Japan Business Federation head Hiroshi Okuda dies

Photo taken in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2014, shows Hiroshi Okuda, a former Japan Business Federation head and president and chairman of Toyota Motor Corp. Okuda, who played a key role in supporting reforms under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's administration in the 2000s, died on Aug. 8, 2026, aged 93.

N. Korea fires ballistic missile

N. Korea fires ballistic missile

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi meets the press at his ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 12, 2026, after North Korea fired at least one ballistic missile earlier in the day.

N. Korea fires ballistic missile

N. Korea fires ballistic missile

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi meets the press at his ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 12, 2026, after North Korea fired at least one ballistic missile earlier in the day.

Japan-Oman phone talks

Japan-Oman phone talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 10, 2026, following phone talks with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said.

Japan-Oman phone talks

Japan-Oman phone talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 10, 2026, following phone talks with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said.

Japan-Oman phone talks

Japan-Oman phone talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 10, 2026, following phone talks with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said.

Japan-Oman phone talks

Japan-Oman phone talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 10, 2026, following phone talks with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said.

Japan-Oman phone talks

Japan-Oman phone talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 10, 2026, following phone talks with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said.

[Breaking News]81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

NAGASAKI, Japan, Aug. 9 Kyodo - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi prepares to place a wreath during a memorial ceremony held at Peace Park in Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 2026, to mark the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the southwestern Japan city in World War II. (Kyodo)

81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) visits Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum in Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 2026, after attending a memorial ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the southwestern Japan city in World War II. (Pool photo)

81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) visits a nursery home for atomic bomb survivors in Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 2026, after attending a memorial ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the southwestern Japan city in World War II. (Pool photo)

81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) visits a nursery home for atomic bomb survivors in Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 2026, after attending a memorial ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the southwestern Japan city in World War II. (Pool photo)

81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (far L) receives paper listing a set of demands during a meeting with representatives of groups of atomic bomb survivors in Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 2026, after attending a memorial ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the southwestern Japan city in World War II. (Pool photo)

81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a press conference in Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 2026, after attending a memorial ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the southwestern Japan city in World War II.

81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (back) receives paper listing a set of demands during a meeting with representatives of groups of atomic bomb survivors in Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 2026, after attending a memorial ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the southwestern Japan city in World War II.

81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets with representatives of groups of atomic bomb survivors in Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 2026, after attending a memorial ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the southwestern Japan city in World War II.

81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets with representatives of groups of atomic bomb survivors in Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 2026, after attending a memorial ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the southwestern Japan city in World War II.

81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi prepares to place a wreath during a memorial ceremony held at Peace Park in Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 2026, to mark the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the southwestern Japan city in World War II.

81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a memorial ceremony held at Peace Park in Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 2026, to mark the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the southwestern Japan city in World War II.

81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

81st A-bomb anniversary in Nagasaki

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from R) observes a moment of silence during a memorial ceremony at Peace Park in Nagasaki at 11:02 a.m. on Aug. 9, 2026, the exact time when a U.S. atomic bomb was dropped on the southwestern Japan city 81 years earlier in World War II.

Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) shakes hands with Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2026. Koike told the press afterward that she called for the central government to address the capital's expected tax revenue fall following the planned cut to 1 percent from the current 8 percent in the consumption tax on food and beverages for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) shakes hands with Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2026. Koike told the press afterward that she called for the central government to address the capital's expected tax revenue fall following the planned cut to 1 percent from the current 8 percent in the consumption tax on food and beverages for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) shakes hands with Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2026. Koike told the press afterward that she called for the central government to address the capital's expected tax revenue fall following the planned cut to 1 percent from the current 8 percent in the consumption tax on food and beverages for two years starting in April 2027.

81st anniversary of U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima

HIROSHIMA, Japan, Aug. 6 Kyodo - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivers a speech during a ceremony at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 2026, marking the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the western Japan city. (Kyodo)

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken on Aug. 6, 2026, shows Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Norikazu Suzuki (front, L) being briefed about damage to a pear farm in Hikawa, Kumamoto Prefecture, caused by a powerful earthquake that struck the southwestern Japan prefecture on July 28. Many Japanese pears were shaken from the trees by the quake ahead of the harvest season.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken on Aug. 6, 2026, shows Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Norikazu Suzuki (front, L) being briefed about damage to a pear farm in Hikawa, Kumamoto Prefecture, caused by a powerful earthquake that struck the southwestern Japan prefecture on July 28. Many Japanese pears were shaken from the trees by the quake ahead of the harvest season.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Photo taken on Aug. 6, 2026, shows Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Norikazu Suzuki (front, L) being briefed about damage to a pear farm in Hikawa, Kumamoto Prefecture, caused by a powerful earthquake that struck the southwestern Japan prefecture on July 28. Many Japanese pears were shaken from the trees by the quake ahead of the harvest season.

A-bomb survivors' groups meet PM Takaichi in Hiroshima

A-bomb survivors' groups meet PM Takaichi in Hiroshima

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (seated, far L) meets with representatives of groups of atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 2026, the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the western Japan city. The group complained to Takaichi about discussions by the government and ruling parties on reviewing Japan's nonnuclear principles.

A-bomb survivors' groups meet PM Takaichi in Hiroshima

A-bomb survivors' groups meet PM Takaichi in Hiroshima

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (seated, far L) meets with representatives of groups of atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 2026, the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the western Japan city. The group complained to Takaichi about discussions by the government and ruling parties on reviewing Japan's nonnuclear principles.

A-bomb survivors' groups meet PM Takaichi in Hiroshima

A-bomb survivors' groups meet PM Takaichi in Hiroshima

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets with representatives of groups of atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 2026, the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the western Japan city. The group complained to Takaichi about discussions by the government and ruling parties on reviewing Japan's nonnuclear principles.

A-bomb survivors' groups meet PM Takaichi in Hiroshima

A-bomb survivors' groups meet PM Takaichi in Hiroshima

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (back, far L) meets with representatives of groups of atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 2026, the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the western Japan city. The group complained to Takaichi about discussions by the government and ruling parties on reviewing Japan's nonnuclear principles.

81st anniversary of U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima

81st anniversary of U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during her visit to a nursing home for atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 2026, the 81st anniversary of U.S. atomic bombing of the western Japan city.

81st anniversary of U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima

81st anniversary of U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) presents a bouquet to an atomic bomb survivor at a nursing home for survivors in Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 2026, the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the western Japan city.

Myanmar president in Bangkok

Myanmar president in Bangkok

Myanmar's junta chief-turned-president, Min Aung Hlaing (R), attends a welcome ceremony with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at the Government House in Bangkok on Aug. 6, 2026.

Myanmar president in Bangkok

Myanmar president in Bangkok

Myanmar's junta chief-turned-president, Min Aung Hlaing (C), attends a welcome ceremony with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (R) at the Government House in Bangkok on Aug. 6, 2026.

81st anniversary of U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima

81st anniversary of U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivers a speech during a ceremony at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 2026, marking the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the western Japan city.