Pokemon-themed ANA plane

Pokemon-themed ANA plane

Photo taken at Tokyo's Haneda airport on Sept. 18, 2026, shows an All Nippon Airways special plane featuring Pokemon characters, unveiled to the media to mark the 30th anniversary of the start of the popular "Pokemon" video game series.

Pokemon-themed ANA plane

Pokemon-themed ANA plane

Photo taken at Tokyo's Haneda airport on Sept. 18, 2026, shows an All Nippon Airways special plane featuring Pokemon characters, unveiled to the media to mark the 30th anniversary of the start of the popular "Pokemon" video game series.

Pokemon-themed ANA plane

Pokemon-themed ANA plane

Photo taken at Tokyo's Haneda airport on Sept. 18, 2026, shows an All Nippon Airways special plane featuring Pokemon characters, unveiled to the media to mark the 30th anniversary of the start of the popular "Pokemon" video game series.

Pokemon-themed ANA plane

Pokemon-themed ANA plane

Photo taken at Tokyo's Haneda airport on Sept. 18, 2026, shows an All Nippon Airways special plane featuring Pokemon characters, unveiled to the media to mark the 30th anniversary of the start of the popular "Pokemon" video game series.

Shuri Castle

Shuri Castle

Photo taken on Sept. 17, 2026, shows the main hall of Shuri Castle, now under reconstruction, in Naha in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa, unveiled to the media following the completion of lacquer coating work. Fire gutted the World Heritage-listed castle in October 2019.

Shuri Castle

Shuri Castle

Photo taken on Sept. 17, 2026, shows the main hall of Shuri Castle, now under reconstruction, in Naha in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa, unveiled to the media following the completion of lacquer coating work. Fire gutted the World Heritage-listed castle in October 2019.

Shuri Castle

Shuri Castle

Photo taken on Sept. 17, 2026, shows the main hall of Shuri Castle, now under reconstruction, in Naha in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa, unveiled to the media following the completion of lacquer coating work. Fire gutted the World Heritage-listed castle in October 2019.

Damage at Temple of Preah Vihear in Cambodia

Damage at Temple of Preah Vihear in Cambodia

A Cambodian official briefs journalists about damage allegedly caused by Thai artillery fire at the Temple of Preah Vihear, a UNESCO World Heritage site near the Thai border in northern Cambodia, during a media tour on Sept. 10, 2026.

Damage at Temple of Preah Vihear in Cambodia

Damage at Temple of Preah Vihear in Cambodia

Damaged stonework is seen at the Temple of Preah Vihear, a UNESCO World Heritage site near the Thai border in northern Cambodia, during a media tour on Sept. 10, 2026, following clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces.

Damage at Temple of Preah Vihear in Cambodia

Damage at Temple of Preah Vihear in Cambodia

Damaged stonework is seen at the Temple of Preah Vihear, a UNESCO World Heritage site near the Thai border in northern Cambodia, during a media tour on Sept. 10, 2026, following clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces.

Damage at Temple of Preah Vihear in Cambodia

Damage at Temple of Preah Vihear in Cambodia

A Cambodian official points to damage allegedly caused by Thai artillery fire at the Temple of Preah Vihear, a UNESCO World Heritage site near the Thai border in northern Cambodia, during a media tour on Sept. 10, 2026.

Damage at Temple of Preah Vihear in Cambodia

Damage at Temple of Preah Vihear in Cambodia

A Cambodian official points to damage allegedly caused by Thai artillery fire at the Temple of Preah Vihear, a UNESCO World Heritage site near the Thai border in northern Cambodia, during a media tour on Sept. 10, 2026.

Halloween event at USJ

Halloween event at USJ

A Halloween event, the "Street Zombies" show, is presented to the media at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka on Sept. 9, 2026, ahead of the opening of the theme park's Halloween Horror Nights event on Sept. 11.

Halloween event at USJ

Halloween event at USJ

A Halloween event, the "Street Zombies" show, is presented to the media at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka on Sept. 9, 2026, ahead of the opening of the theme park's Halloween Horror Nights event on Sept. 11.

Halloween event at USJ

Halloween event at USJ

A Halloween event, the "Street Zombies" show, is presented to the media at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka on Sept. 9, 2026, ahead of the opening of the theme park's Halloween Horror Nights event on Sept. 11.

Swedish brand Granit shop to open in Tokyo

Swedish brand Granit shop to open in Tokyo

Photo taken on Sept. 3, 2026, shows a media preview of the first outlet in Japan of the Swedish interior goods brand Granit, set to open in Tokyo's Jiyugaoka area the following day.

Swedish brand Granit shop to open in Tokyo

Swedish brand Granit shop to open in Tokyo

Photo taken on Sept. 3, 2026, shows a media preview of the first outlet in Japan of the Swedish interior goods brand Granit, set to open in Tokyo's Jiyugaoka area the following day.

Swedish brand Granit shop to open in Tokyo

Swedish brand Granit shop to open in Tokyo

Photo taken on Sept. 3, 2026, shows a media preview of the first outlet in Japan of the Swedish interior goods brand Granit, set to open in Tokyo's Jiyugaoka area the following day.

Swedish brand Granit shop to open in Tokyo

Swedish brand Granit shop to open in Tokyo

Photo taken on Sept. 3, 2026, shows a media preview of the first outlet in Japan of the Swedish interior goods brand Granit, set to open in Tokyo's Jiyugaoka area the following day.

Swedish brand Granit shop to open in Tokyo

Swedish brand Granit shop to open in Tokyo

Photo taken on Sept. 3, 2026, shows a media preview of the first outlet in Japan of the Swedish interior goods brand Granit, set to open in Tokyo's Jiyugaoka area the following day.

2000 Nobel prize laureate in chemistry Shirakawa dies at 90

2000 Nobel prize laureate in chemistry Shirakawa dies at 90

File photo shows Hideki Shirakawa meeting the media after receiving the 2000 Nobel Prize in chemistry at the award ceremony in Stockholm on Dec. 10, 2000. Shirakawa, a professor emeritus at the University of Tsukuba, died at age 90 on Aug. 24, 2026.

George Lucas museum in Los Angeles

George Lucas museum in Los Angeles

Photo taken on Sept. 2, 2026, shows the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art founded by "Star Wars" film director George Lucas in Los Angeles, unveiled to the media ahead of its opening to the public on Sept. 22.

George Lucas museum in Los Angeles

George Lucas museum in Los Angeles

Film director George Lucas (R) speaks during a media preview of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles on Sept. 2, 2026, ahead of its opening to the public on Sept. 22.

George Lucas museum in Los Angeles

George Lucas museum in Los Angeles

Photo taken on Sept. 2, 2026, shows the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art founded by "Star Wars" film director George Lucas in Los Angeles, unveiled to the media ahead of its opening to the public on Sept. 22.

George Lucas museum in Los Angeles

George Lucas museum in Los Angeles

Photo taken on Sept. 2, 2026, shows the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art founded by "Star Wars" film director George Lucas in Los Angeles, unveiled to the media ahead of its opening to the public on Sept. 22.

Kioxia president meets with PM Takaichi

Kioxia president meets with PM Takaichi

Kioxia Holdings Corp. President Hiroo Ota speaks to the media following a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 27, 2026.

Kioxia president meets with PM Takaichi

Kioxia president meets with PM Takaichi

Kioxia Holdings Corp. President Hiroo Ota speaks to the media following a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 27, 2026.

Kioxia president meets with PM Takaichi

Kioxia president meets with PM Takaichi

Kioxia Holdings Corp. President Hiroo Ota speaks to the media following a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 27, 2026.

"Riku-Ryu" pair engaged

"Riku-Ryu" pair engaged

File photo shows Riku Miura (top) and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan performing in the pairs figure skating free program en route to winning gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics in Milan on Feb. 16, 2026. The pair, known as "Riku-Ryu," announced their engagement on social media on Aug. 23, 2026.

"Riku-Ryu" pair engaged

"Riku-Ryu" pair engaged

File photo shows Riku Miura (L) and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan posing for a photo after winning the pairs figure skating gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics in Milan on Feb. 16, 2026. The pair, known as "Riku-Ryu," announced their engagement on social media on Aug. 23, 2026.

Japan: Floodwaters Pour Into Chiba Station Building Basement After Record Rainfall

Record rainfall hit the greater Tokyo area on Thursday, August 13, triggering significant flooding in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo. Many people were stranded at stations as waters reached waist level, causing train disruptions while vehicles were stuck in floodwaters. Videos posted on social media show floodwaters pouring down stairs and escalators into the basement of a shopping complex at Chiba Station.

1st Google store outside U.S.

1st Google store outside U.S.

Photo taken during a media preview in Tokyo on Aug. 10, 2026, shows the interior of Google Store Omotesando, the tech giant's first official store outside the United States, ahead of its opening on Aug. 13.

1st Google store outside U.S.

1st Google store outside U.S.

Photo taken during a media preview in Tokyo on Aug. 10, 2026, shows the interior of Google Store Omotesando, the tech giant's first official store outside the United States, ahead of its opening on Aug. 13.

China: Jellyfish-Like Mosquito Captured on Video in Guangdong

A video filmed in Guangdong, China, on July 8, 2025, showed a mosquito flying while wrapped in loose white fur shed by a black cat, giving the insect an odd, jellyfish-like look that amused local social media users.

Iranian ambassador to Japan in Hiroshima

Iranian ambassador to Japan in Hiroshima

Iranian ambassador to Japan Peiman Seadat speaks to the media after visiting Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum in Hiroshima on Aug. 5, 2026, a day before the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the western Japan city.

Japan: Baby Macaque “Punch” Wins Hearts After Finding Comfort in Plush Surrogacy 3

A six-month-old Japanese macaque named Punch at Ichikawa City Zoo has gained attention in Japan and abroad. After being rejected by his first-time mother, he was hand-raised by staff and often clung to an orangutan plush toy as a surrogate comfort, touching many hearts. Even after rejoining the troop, he kept the toy for a while, but he is gradually bonding with other monkeys and growing stronger. On social media, the hashtag “#GoPunch” has spread, with visitors continuing to cheer him on.

Tennis: Nishikori

Tennis: Nishikori

Kei Nishikori of Japan practices in Washington on July 26, 2026, a day before his first-round match at the Mubadala DC Open. The Japanese tennis icon and former world No. 4 announced on social media in April that he will retire at the end of the season.

Tennis: Nishikori and Osaka

Tennis: Nishikori and Osaka

Kei Nishikori (L) and Naomi Osaka of Japan pose for photos in Washington on July 26, 2026. Nishikori, a Japanese tennis icon and former world No. 4, held a press conference the same day for the first time he announced on social media in April that he will retire at the end of the season.

Tennis: Nishikori

Tennis: Nishikori

Kei Nishikori of Japan speaks at a press conference in Washington on July 26, 2026. It is his first press conference since the Japanese tennis icon and former world No. 4 announced on social media in April that he will retire at the end of the season.

China: Cat Flips Between Clotheslines Like an Acrobat

A tabby cat performed an acrobatic flip between two clotheslines in Sichuan province, China, on July 20, 2026, gripping one wire before smoothly twisting its body onto the neighboring line. Chinese social media users praised the cat's agility, joking that it must have practiced kung fu.

US: Tropical Storm Bertha Floods Mississippi Coastal Neighborhoods

Floodwater from Tropical Storm Bertha inundated a residential neighborhood in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, submerging yards, docks, and streets, according to a social media post shared Wednesday. The video shows water levels rising to cover much of the low-lying area as Bertha moved through the Gulf Coast region.

CORRECTED: Nissan unveils new minivan

CORRECTED: Nissan unveils new minivan

Nissan Motor Co. unveils the fully remodeled Elgrand minivan to the media in Yokohama on June 17, 2026.

Nissan unveils new minivan

Nissan unveils new minivan

Nissan Motor Co. unveils the fully remodeled Elgrand minivan to the media in Yokohama on June 17, 2026.

Nissan unveils new minivan

Nissan unveils new minivan

Nissan Motor Co. unveils the fully remodeled Elgrand minivan to the media in Yokohama on June 17, 2026.

US: Low Blue Angels Flyover Stuns Beachgoers at Pensacola Beach, Florida

A low Blue Angels flyover during "Breakfast with the Blues" caused a stir at Pensacola Beach, Florida, on Wednesday morning, July 15, 2026, sending sand, hats, tents and chairs flying as stunned beachgoers watched. The U.S. Navy said it is conducting a safety review after social media footage showed the jet flying lower than standard profiles during an arrival maneuver, calling it a "low-altitude pass" that disturbed civilian chairs and umbrellas on the beach.

Japan: Balck-and-White Calbee Chips Spotted in Store Before Color Return

Major snack maker Calbee announced on July 9 that it will gradually restore color packaging for eight products starting in late July, after switching them to black-and-white printing due to naphtha supply concerns. The "black-and-white potato chips" ended up on shelves for about two months since late May, sparking varied reactions on social media. Some said they never saw the black-and-white version in stores at all, since only the full-color packaging was available, while others speculated the black-and-white chips could become a collector's item.

[Breaking News]Private room for shinkansen bullet trains

TOKYO, Japan, July 9 Kyodo - Video taken in Tokyo shows a private room unveiled to the media on July 8, 2026, that will become available on Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen bullet trains from October. Use of the room, including the travel fare, will cost at least 42,000 yen ($260) for journeys between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka stations. (Kyodo)

Private room for shinkansen bullet trains

Private room for shinkansen bullet trains

Photo taken in Tokyo shows a private room unveiled to the media on July 8, 2026, that will become available on Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen bullet trains from October. Use of the room, including the travel fare, will cost at least 42,000 yen ($260) for journeys between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka stations.

Private room for shinkansen bullet trains

Private room for shinkansen bullet trains

Photo taken in Tokyo shows a private room unveiled to the media on July 8, 2026, that will become available on Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen bullet trains from October. Use of the room, including the travel fare, will cost at least 42,000 yen ($260) for journeys between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka stations.

Private room for shinkansen bullet trains

Private room for shinkansen bullet trains

Photo taken in Tokyo shows a private room unveiled to the media on July 8, 2026, that will become available on Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen bullet trains from October. Use of the room, including the travel fare, will cost at least 42,000 yen ($260) for journeys between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka stations.