Musical on history of Japan-Vietnam ties to begin in Yokohama

Musical on history of Japan-Vietnam ties to begin in Yokohama

Vietnamese actor Do Phan Gia Han (C), who stars in in the musical "Princess Anio," meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 26, 2026, after the lead actors in the musical paid a visit to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The musical, depicting the history of Japan-Vietnam ties, will be held between Sept. 12 and Sept. 27 at Kanagawa Arts Theater in Yokohama near Tokyo.

Musical on history of Japan-Vietnam ties to begin in Yokohama

Musical on history of Japan-Vietnam ties to begin in Yokohama

Vietnamese actor Do Phan Gia Han (C), who stars in in the musical "Princess Anio," meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 26, 2026, after the lead actors in the musical paid a visit to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The musical, depicting the history of Japan-Vietnam ties, will be held between Sept. 12 and Sept. 27 at Kanagawa Arts Theater in Yokohama near Tokyo.

Japan PM meets with governor of quake-hit Kumamoto Pref.

Japan PM meets with governor of quake-hit Kumamoto Pref.

Kumamoto Gov. Takashi Kimura (C) meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 18, 2026, following a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The governor handed a host of demands to the prime minister after certain regions in the southwestern Japan prefecture were devastated by a powerful earthquake on July 28.

Japan PM meets with governor of quake-hit Kumamoto Pref.

Japan PM meets with governor of quake-hit Kumamoto Pref.

Kumamoto Gov. Takashi Kimura meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 18, 2026, following a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The governor handed a host of demands to the prime minister after certain regions in the southwestern Japan prefecture were devastated by a powerful earthquake on July 28.

Japan PM meets with governor of quake-hit Kumamoto Pref.

Japan PM meets with governor of quake-hit Kumamoto Pref.

Kumamoto Gov. Takashi Kimura meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 18, 2026, following a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The governor handed a host of demands to the prime minister after certain regions in the southwestern Japan prefecture were devastated by a powerful earthquake on July 28.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

U.S. treasury secretary comments on Japan's credit policy

U.S. treasury secretary comments on Japan's credit policy

Japan Business Federation head Yoshinobu Tsutsui meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026, following U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's comments taken as seeking credit tightening by Japanese monetary authorities. Bessent said in a CNBC interview the previous day he believes Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda "will do what is needed" when asked whether the BOJ's next move should be a rate hike.

U.S. treasury secretary comments on Japan's credit policy

U.S. treasury secretary comments on Japan's credit policy

Japan Business Federation head Yoshinobu Tsutsui meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026, following U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's comments taken as seeking credit tightening by Japanese monetary authorities. Bessent said in a CNBC interview the previous day he believes Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda "will do what is needed" when asked whether the BOJ's next move should be a rate hike.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Photo taken on Aug. 4, 2026, shows a plaque to be given to 10-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi at a ceremony to confer the People's Honor Award at the prime minister's office in Tokyo later in the day. Each of the knives is engraved with her name and the award title. The four-time Olympian, 32, won two gold, four silver and four bronze medals before announcing her retirement in April.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi (R) receives a bouquet from Japanese Olympic Committee President Seiko Hashimoto in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026, after attending a ceremony at which she was conferred the People's Honor Award at the prime minister's office earlier in the day.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi (R) receives a bouquet from Japanese Olympic Committee President Seiko Hashimoto in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026, after attending a ceremony at which she was conferred the People's Honor Award at the prime minister's office earlier in the day.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Photo taken on Aug. 4, 2026, shows a commemorative set of 10 cooking knives to be given to 10-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi during a ceremony to confer the People's Honor Award at the prime minister's office in Tokyo later in the day. Each of the knives is engraved with her name and the award title, as the 32-year old won two gold, four silver and four bronze medals before announcing her retirement in April.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Photo taken on Aug. 4, 2026, shows a commemorative set of 10 cooking knives to be given to 10-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi during a ceremony to confer the People's Honor Award at the prime minister's office in Tokyo later in the day. Each of the knives is engraved with her name and the award title, as the 32-year old won two gold, four silver and four bronze medals before announcing her retirement in April.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Photo taken on Aug. 4, 2026, shows a commemorative set of 10 cooking knives to be given to 10-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi during a ceremony to confer the People's Honor Award at the prime minister's office in Tokyo later in the day. Each of the knives is engraved with her name and the award title, as the 32-year old won two gold, four silver and four bronze medals before announcing her retirement in April.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on July 24, 2026.

Japan top spokesman Kihara

Japan top spokesman Kihara

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara holds a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on July 21, 2026.

Japan top spokesman Kihara

Japan top spokesman Kihara

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara holds a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on July 21, 2026.

Japan top spokesman Kihara

Japan top spokesman Kihara

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara holds a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on July 21, 2026.

Vietnamese deputy prime minister in Tokyo

Vietnamese deputy prime minister in Tokyo

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara (R) and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang shake hands at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on July 13, 2026.

Japan's emperor in Brussels

Japan's emperor in Brussels

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (3rd from R) attends a meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever (3rd from L) at the prime minister's official residence in Brussels on June 23, 2026, during the emperor's official visit to Belgium. (Pool photo)

Japan's emperor in Brussels

Japan's emperor in Brussels

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (3rd from R) attends a meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever (3rd from L) at the prime minister's official residence in Brussels on June 23, 2026, during the emperor's official visit to Belgium. (Pool photo)

Albania: Protests Continue in Tirana Over Kushner-Linked Luxury Resort on Protected Coast

Albanians continued to protest in Tirana on Monday, June 22 against a luxury tourism development linked to Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, planned on the country's protected Adriatic coastline. The demonstrations, initially sparked by concerns over the construction plans, have since expanded into a broader movement against alleged corruption in the Albanian government.

Japan emperor in Brussels

Japan emperor in Brussels

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (L) and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever pose for a photo at the prime minister's office in Brussels on June 23, 2026, during the emperor's official visit to Belgium. (Pool photo)

New official car for Japanese prime minister

New official car for Japanese prime minister

Photo taken on June 22, 2026, shows a Century SUV of Toyota Motor Corp. at the prime minister's office in Tokyo. It is a new official car for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

New official car for Japanese prime minister

New official car for Japanese prime minister

Photo taken on June 22, 2026, shows a Century SUV of Toyota Motor Corp. at the prime minister's office in Tokyo. It is a new official car for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi

Photo shows Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 12, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 12, 2026. The government said the prime minister will visit Britain and Italy for bilateral talks and France for the Group of Seven summit in Evian.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 12, 2026. The government said the prime minister will visit Britain and Italy for bilateral talks and France for the Group of Seven summit in Evian.

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.

Japan, Laos summit talks

Japan, Laos summit talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (far R) holds talks with Laos' Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (2nd from L) at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 10, 2026. The leaders agreed to advance cooperation aimed at strengthening regional energy and resource security as well as supply-chain resilience.

Japan, Laos summit talks

Japan, Laos summit talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) shakes hands with Laos' Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 10, 2026. The leaders agreed to advance cooperation aimed at strengthening regional energy and resource security as well as supply-chain resilience.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from L) addresses a government meeting on the promotion of child-related measures at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 9, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addresses a government meeting on the promotion of child-related measures at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 9, 2026.

Albania: Kushner-Backed Resort Plan Sparks Days of Protests in Tirana 3

Protesters took to the streets of Tirana again on Thursday, June 4, to protest a controversial luxury resort development planned for the protected Vjosa-Narta landscape on Albania's southern coast by Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners.

Japan PM Takaichi meets island nation leaders

Japan PM Takaichi meets island nation leaders

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) poses for a photo at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 2, 2026, ahead of her meeting with leaders of island nations.

Japan PM Takaichi meets island nation leaders

Japan PM Takaichi meets island nation leaders

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) poses for a photo at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 2, 2026, ahead of her meeting with leaders of island nations.

Albania: Thousands March in Tirana Against Kushner-Linked Resort in Protected Wetland 2

Thousands of Albanians marched through Tirana on Monday, June 1, protesting against a controversial luxury resort development in the protected Zvërnec wetland area on the country's southern coast. Demonstrators gathered at Skanderbeg Square before marching toward the Prime Minister's Office, carrying banners reading "Albania is not for sale" and demanding the project's cancellation. The protests target a development linked to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, which critics say threatens one of the Mediterranean's last pristine coastal ecosystems.

Albania: Thousands March in Tirana Against Kushner-Linked Resort in Protected Wetland

Thousands of Albanians marched through Tirana on Monday, June 1, protesting against a controversial luxury resort development in the protected Zvërnec wetland area on the country's southern coast. Demonstrators gathered at Skanderbeg Square before marching toward the Prime Minister's Office, carrying banners reading "Albania is not for sale" and demanding the project's cancellation. The protests target a development linked to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, which critics say threatens one of the Mediterranean's last pristine coastal ecosystems.

World Bank President Banga

World Bank President Banga

World Bank President Ajay Banga visits the Japanese prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 2, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi, ministers in Okinawa wear

Japan PM Takaichi, ministers in Okinawa wear

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) and ministers prepare to attend a Cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 2, 2026, wearing "kariyushi" summer tops from the southern island prefecture of Okinawa.

Japan PM Takaichi in Okinawa cloth

Japan PM Takaichi in Okinawa cloth

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 2, 2026, wearing "kariyushi" summer clothes from the southern island prefecture of Okinawa.

Japan PM Takaichi, ministers in Okinawa wear

Japan PM Takaichi, ministers in Okinawa wear

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) and ministers prepare to attend a Cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 2, 2026, wearing "kariyushi" summer tops from the southern island prefecture of Okinawa.

Japan PM Takaichi in Okinawa cloth

Japan PM Takaichi in Okinawa cloth

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 2, 2026, wearing "kariyushi" summer clothes from the southern island prefecture of Okinawa.