Cargo ship collides with fishing boat off Mie Pref.

Cargo ship collides with fishing boat off Mie Pref.

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the stern of a sport fishing boat after colliding with a cargo ship off Toba in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Feb. 20, 2026.

Cargo ship collides with fishing boat off Mie Pref.

Cargo ship collides with fishing boat off Mie Pref.

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the stern of a sport fishing boat after colliding with a cargo ship off Toba in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Feb. 20, 2026.

Cargo ship collides with fishing boat off Mie Pref.

Cargo ship collides with fishing boat off Mie Pref.

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the bow of a sport fishing boat after colliding with a cargo ship off Toba in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Feb. 20, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Mone Chiba (L) of Japan hugs her coach Mie Hamada after performing in the women's figure skating short program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 17, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Japan's Mone Chiba (L) is pictured in the kiss and cry area with her coach Mie Hamada after performing in the women's figure skating short program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 17, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Mone Chiba of Japan is hugged by her coach Mie Hamada (facing camera) after performing in the women's figure skating short program at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 17, 2026.

[Breaking News]General election in Japan

YOKKAICHI, Japan, Feb. 9 Kyodo - Katsuya Okada of the Centrist Reform Alliance meets supporters on Feb. 9, 2026, in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, after the former foreign minister lost his seat in a general election. (Kyodo)

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Katsuya Okada of the Centrist Reform Alliance meets supporters on Feb. 9, 2026, in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, after the former foreign minister lost his seat in a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Katsuya Okada of the Centrist Reform Alliance meets supporters on Feb. 9, 2026, in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, after the former foreign minister lost his seat in a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Katsuya Okada of the Centrist Reform Alliance speaks to supporters on Feb. 9, 2026, in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, after the former foreign minister lost his seat in a general election.

Sharp Kameyama Factory exterior, logo and signs

Sharp Kameyama Factory exterior, logo and signs

Sharp Kameyama Factory exterior, logo and signs=January 4,2026,Mie

Sharp Kameyama Factory exterior, logo and signs

Sharp Kameyama Factory exterior, logo and signs

Sharp Kameyama Factory exterior, logo and signs=January 4,2026,Mie

Sharp Kameyama Factory exterior, logo and signs

Sharp Kameyama Factory exterior, logo and signs

Sharp Kameyama Factory exterior, logo and signs=January 4,2026,Mie

Sharp Kameyama Factory exterior, logo and signs

Sharp Kameyama Factory exterior, logo and signs

Sharp Kameyama Factory exterior, logo and signs=January 4,2026,Mie

Sharp Kameyama Factory exterior, logo and signs

Sharp Kameyama Factory exterior, logo and signs

Sharp Kameyama Factory exterior, logo and signs=January 4,2026,Mie

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from L) visits Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 5, 2026. Visiting the shinto shrine during the New Year period is an annual custom for the sitting prime minister.

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a New Year press conference after visiting Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 5, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a New Year press conference after visiting Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 5, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a New Year press conference after visiting Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 5, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a New Year press conference after visiting Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 5, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a New Year press conference after visiting Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 5, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a New Year press conference after visiting Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 5, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a New Year press conference after visiting Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 5, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from L) visits Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 5, 2026. Visiting the shinto shrine during the New Year period is an annual custom for the sitting prime minister.

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) visits Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 5, 2026. Visiting the shinto shrine during the New Year period is an annual custom for the sitting prime minister.

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) visits Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 5, 2026. Visiting the shinto shrine during the New Year period is an annual custom for the sitting prime minister.

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) visits Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 5, 2026. Visiting the shinto shrine during the New Year period is an annual custom for the sitting prime minister.

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) visits Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 5, 2026. Visiting the shinto shrine during the New Year period is an annual custom for the sitting prime minister.

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japan PM Takaichi visits Ise Jingu shrine

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) visits Ise Jingu shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 5, 2026. Visiting the shinto shrine during the New Year period is an annual custom for the sitting prime minister.

Animation figures museum in Japan

Animation figures museum in Japan

Photo taken on Nov. 12, 2025, shows part of a collection of animated character figures on display at the Bankyo Figure Museum in Taki, Mie Prefecture, central Japan. The museum, located inside a factory of Bankyo Pharmaceutical Co., exhibits about 40,000 items collected by company president Nobuo Matsuura.

Animation figures museum in Japan

Animation figures museum in Japan

Photo taken on Nov. 12, 2025, shows part of a collection of animated character figures on display at the Bankyo Figure Museum in Taki, Mie Prefecture, central Japan. The museum, located inside a factory of Bankyo Pharmaceutical Co., exhibits about 40,000 items collected by company president Nobuo Matsuura.

Japanese emperor, empress in Mie Prefecture

Japanese emperor, empress in Mie Prefecture

A rainbow forms over a vehicle carrying Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako following their arrival at Kashikojima Station in Shima in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Nov. 9, 2025, to attend a national event for the conservation of fishery resources and promotion of the fishing industry. (Pool photo)

Emperor in Mie Prefecture

Emperor in Mie Prefecture

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako wave to fishing vessels as they parade during a fishery industry promotional event in Minamiise, Mie Prefecture, on Nov. 9, 2025. (Pool photo)

Emperor in Mie Prefecture

Emperor in Mie Prefecture

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako release fry during a fishery industry promotional event in Minamiise, Mie Prefecture, on Nov. 9, 2025. (Pool photo)

Emperor in Mie Prefecture

Emperor in Mie Prefecture

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako watch a dance performance by children during a fishery industry promotional event in Shima, Mie Prefecture, on Nov. 9, 2025.

Emperor in Mie Prefecture

Emperor in Mie Prefecture

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attend a fishery industry promotional event in Shima, Mie Prefecture, on Nov. 9, 2025.

Emperor in Mie Prefecture

Emperor in Mie Prefecture

Japanese Emperor Naruhito speaks at a fishery industry promotional event in Shima, Mie Prefecture, on Nov. 9, 2025. Sitting next to him is Empress Masako. (Pool photo)

Emperor in Mie Prefecture

Emperor in Mie Prefecture

Japanese Emperor Naruhito speaks at a fishery industry promotional event in Shima, Mie Prefecture, on Nov. 9, 2025.

Emperor in Mie Prefecture

Emperor in Mie Prefecture

Japanese Emperor Naruhito speaks at a fishery industry promotional event in Shima, Mie Prefecture, on Nov. 9, 2025.

Emperor in Mie Prefecture

Emperor in Mie Prefecture

Japanese Emperor Naruhito speaks at a fishery industry promotional event in Shima, Mie Prefecture, on Nov. 9, 2025.

Emperor in Mie Prefecture

Emperor in Mie Prefecture

Japanese Emperor Naruhito speaks at a fishery industry promotional event in Shima, Mie Prefecture, on Nov. 9, 2025.

Emperor, empress in Mie Prefecture

Emperor, empress in Mie Prefecture

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrive at Kashikojima Station in Shima, Mie Prefecture, on Nov. 8, 2025. The imperial couple are visiting the central Japan prefecture to attend a fishery industry promotional event ceremony. (Pool photo)

Emperor, empress in Mie Prefecture

Emperor, empress in Mie Prefecture

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (C) and Empress Masako watch a sea otter at Toba Aquarium in Toba, Mie Prefecture, on Nov. 8, 2025. The imperial couple are visiting the central Japan prefecture to attend a fishery industry promotional event ceremony. (Pool photo)

Emperor, empress in Mie Prefecture

Emperor, empress in Mie Prefecture

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visit Toba Aquarium in Toba, Mie Prefecture, on Nov. 8, 2025. The imperial couple are visiting the central Japan prefecture to attend a fishery industry promotional event ceremony. (Pool photo)

Emperor, empress in Mie Prefecture

Emperor, empress in Mie Prefecture

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (C) and Empress Masako visit Toba Aquarium in Toba, Mie Prefecture, on Nov. 8, 2025. The imperial couple are visiting the central Japan prefecture to attend a fishery industry promotional event ceremony. (Pool photo)

Emperor, empress in Mie Prefecture

Emperor, empress in Mie Prefecture

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako wave upon arriving at Toba Station in Toba, Mie Prefecture, on Nov. 8, 2025. The imperial couple are visiting the central Japan prefecture to attend a fishery industry promotional event ceremony. (Pool photo)

Toyota to sell racing karts to general consumers

Toyota to sell racing karts to general consumers

Photo taken during a press event at Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Oct. 22, 2025, shows Toyota Motor Corp.'s GR Karts. The Japanese automaker will offer the racing kart model that can be driven by children from fall 2026 with an affordable price below 400,000 yen (about $2,600).

Toyota to sell racing karts to general consumers

Toyota to sell racing karts to general consumers

Toyota Motor Corp.'s GR Karts run during a press event at Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Oct. 22, 2025. The Japanese automaker will offer the racing kart model that can be driven by children from fall 2026 with an affordable price below 400,000 yen (about $2,600).

Football: Miura rewrites oldest-appearance record

Football: Miura rewrites oldest-appearance record

Former Japan forward Kazuyoshi Miura (front) plays for Atletico Suzuka in the second half of a fourth-tier Japan Football League match against Veertien Mie in Toin, Mie Prefecture, on Oc. 18, 2025, beating his own record as the JFL's oldest player at 58 years and 234 days.

Football: Miura rewrites oldest-appearance record

Football: Miura rewrites oldest-appearance record

Former Japan forward Kazuyoshi Miura plays for Atletico Suzuka in the second half of a fourth-tier Japan Football League match against Veertien Mie in Toin, Mie Prefecture, on Oc. 18, 2025, beating his own record as the JFL's oldest player at 58 years and 234 days.