Kanto Festival in northeastern Japan

Kanto Festival in northeastern Japan

Participants hold bamboo poles adorned with paper lanterns, resembling ears of rice, in the northeastern Japan city of Akita on Aug. 3, 2026, the opening day of the four-day Kanto Festival.

Kanto Festival in northeastern Japan

Kanto Festival in northeastern Japan

Participants hold bamboo poles adorned with paper lanterns, resembling ears of rice, in the northeastern Japan city of Akita on Aug. 3, 2026, the opening day of the four-day Kanto Festival.

Kanto Festival in northeastern Japan

Kanto Festival in northeastern Japan

Paper lanterns hanging on bamboo poles light up the northeastern Japan city of Akita on Aug. 3, 2026, the opening day of the four-day Kanto Festival.

Kanto Festival in northeastern Japan

Kanto Festival in northeastern Japan

Paper lanterns hanging on bamboo poles light up the northeastern Japan city of Akita on Aug. 3, 2026, the opening day of the four-day Kanto Festival.

Kanto Festival in northeastern Japan

Kanto Festival in northeastern Japan

Paper lanterns hanging on bamboo poles light up the northeastern Japan city of Akita on Aug. 3, 2026, the opening day of the four-day Kanto Festival.

Kanto Festival in northeastern Japan

Kanto Festival in northeastern Japan

Participants hold bamboo poles adorned with paper lanterns, resembling ears of rice, in the northeastern Japan city of Akita on Aug. 3, 2026, the opening day of the four-day Kanto Festival.

Aomori Nebuta Festival in northeastern Japan

Aomori Nebuta Festival in northeastern Japan

Colorful lantern floats are paraded through the streets of the northeastern Japan city of Aomori on Aug. 2, 2026, the first day of the six-day Aomori Nebuta Festival.

Aomori Nebuta Festival in northeastern Japan

Aomori Nebuta Festival in northeastern Japan

A colorful lantern float is paraded through the streets of the northeastern Japan city of Aomori on Aug. 2, 2026, the first day of the six-day Aomori Nebuta Festival.

Aomori Nebuta Festival in northeastern Japan

Aomori Nebuta Festival in northeastern Japan

A colorful lantern float is paraded through the streets of the northeastern Japan city of Aomori on Aug. 2, 2026, the first day of the six-day Aomori Nebuta Festival.

Aomori Nebuta Festival in northeastern Japan

Aomori Nebuta Festival in northeastern Japan

Dancers parade through the streets of the northeastern Japan city of Aomori with colorful lantern floats on Aug. 2, 2026, the first day of the six-day Aomori Nebuta Festival.

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Performers march through the streets on the opening day of the Morioka Sansa dance festival in Morioka in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. About 26,600 people are expected to take part in the four-day event.

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Performers march through the streets on the opening day of the Morioka Sansa dance festival in Morioka in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. About 26,600 people are expected to take part in the four-day event.

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Performers march through the streets on the opening day of the Morioka Sansa dance festival in Morioka in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. About 26,600 people are expected to take part in the four-day event.

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Performers march through the streets on the opening day of the Morioka Sansa dance festival in Morioka in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. About 26,600 people are expected to take part in the four-day event.

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Traditional dance parade in northeastern Japan

Performers march through the streets on the opening day of the Morioka Sansa dance festival in Morioka in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026. About 26,600 people are expected to take part in the four-day event.

Japan crown prince at high school cultural festival

Japan crown prince at high school cultural festival

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko chat with students who will perform during the Kanto Festival at a high school in Akita on July 27, 2026. The imperial couple is visiting the northeastern Japan city, where a national high school cultural festival is held.

Japan crown prince at high school cultural festival

Japan crown prince at high school cultural festival

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko chat with a student while looking at calligraphy works during a national high school cultural festival in the northeastern Japan city of Akita on July 27, 2026.

Japan crown prince at high school cultural festival

Japan crown prince at high school cultural festival

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko (C) chat with a student while looking at calligraphy works during a national high school cultural festival in the northeastern Japan city of Akita on July 27, 2026.

Japan crown prince at high school cultural festival

Japan crown prince at high school cultural festival

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito (C, L) and Crown Princess Kiko (C, R) watch a parade during a national high school cultural festival in Akita, northeastern Japan, on July 26, 2026.

Japan crown prince at high school cultural festival

Japan crown prince at high school cultural festival

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito addresses the opening ceremony of a national high school cultural festival in Akita, northeastern Japan, on July 26, 2026.

Japan crown prince at high school cultural festival

Japan crown prince at high school cultural festival

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito addresses the opening ceremony of a national high school cultural festival in Akita, northeastern Japan, on July 26, 2026.

Baseball: Stanford slugger Sasaki to join Marlins

HANAMAKI, Japan, July 19 Kyodo - Stanford University slugger Rintaro Sasaki holds a press conference in Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 19, 2026. The 21-year-old infielder, a graduate of Hanamaki Higashi High School, said he will begin his professional baseball career with the Miami Marlins, following his draft selection by the Major League Baseball team earlier in the month. (Kyodo)

Akita Pref. promotes sake, food in Hong Kong

Akita Pref. promotes sake, food in Hong Kong

Kenta Suzuki (R), governor of Japan's Akita Prefecture, visits a supermarket in Hong Kong on July 22, 2026, to pitch made-in-Akita sake, which was on sale there. The governor is visiting Hong Kong to promote sake and food made in the northeastern Japan prefecture.

US: Boston Area Skies Turn Hazy as Wildfire Smoke Lingers

Smoke from wildfires burning in Canada and Minnesota drifted into the northeastern United States, intermittently flowing into New England, including Massachusetts. Skies over the Boston area, including Cambridge, appeared hazy as the smoke lingered over the region.

Baseball: Stanford slugger Sasaki to join Marlins

Baseball: Stanford slugger Sasaki to join Marlins

Stanford University slugger Rintaro Sasaki wipes away some tears during a press conference in Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 19, 2026. The 21-year-old infielder, a graduate of Hanamaki Higashi High School, said he will begin his professional baseball career with the Miami Marlins, following his draft selection by the Major League Baseball team earlier in the month.

Baseball: Stanford slugger Sasaki to join Marlins

Baseball: Stanford slugger Sasaki to join Marlins

Stanford University slugger Rintaro Sasaki holds a press conference in Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 19, 2026. The 21-year-old infielder, a graduate of Hanamaki Higashi High School, said he will begin his professional baseball career with the Miami Marlins, following his draft selection by the Major League Baseball team earlier in the month.

Baseball: Stanford slugger Sasaki to join Marlins

Baseball: Stanford slugger Sasaki to join Marlins

Stanford University slugger Rintaro Sasaki holds a press conference in Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 19, 2026. The 21-year-old infielder, a graduate of Hanamaki Higashi High School, said he will begin his professional baseball career with the Miami Marlins, following his draft selection by the Major League Baseball team earlier in the month.

Baseball: Stanford slugger Sasaki to join Marlins

Baseball: Stanford slugger Sasaki to join Marlins

Stanford University slugger Rintaro Sasaki holds a press conference in Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 19, 2026. The 21-year-old infielder, a graduate of Hanamaki Higashi High School, said he will begin his professional baseball career with the Miami Marlins, following his draft selection by the Major League Baseball team earlier in the month.

[Breaking News]Japan tests reusable rocket prototype

NOSHIRO, Japan, July 13 Kyodo - The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency tests an RV-X prototype reusable rocket in Noshiro in Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 11, 2026. The rocket landed successfully after reaching a maximum height of around 11 meters and moving about 16 meters horizontally in the 40-second test. (Kyodo)

Japan tests reusable rocket prototype

Japan tests reusable rocket prototype

Composite photo shows an RV-X prototype reusable rocket landing successfully after reaching a maximum height of around 11 meters and moving about 16 meters horizontally in the 40-second test, conducted by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency in Noshiro in Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 11, 2026.

Japan tests reusable rocket prototype

Japan tests reusable rocket prototype

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency tests an RV-X prototype reusable rocket in Noshiro in Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 11, 2026. The rocket landed successfully after reaching a maximum height of around 11 meters and moving about 16 meters horizontally in the 40-second test.

Japan tests reusable rocket prototype

Japan tests reusable rocket prototype

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency tests an RV-X prototype reusable rocket in Noshiro in Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 11, 2026. The rocket landed successfully after reaching a maximum height of around 11 meters and moving about 16 meters horizontally in the 40-second test.

China: Cow Appears to Have Five Legs After Hooflike Growth Forms on Head

A cow in northeastern China appeared to have five legs after a hooflike growth formed on top of its head, making the animal look unusual from certain angles. The owner said several people had offered large sums of money to buy the cow after seeing its strange appearance online.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

HACHINOHE, Japan, June 25 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News plane on June 25, 2026, shows a damaged exterior wall of a building in Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture, after a preliminary magnitude-7.2 earthquake hit northeastern Japan. (Kyodo)

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Ceiling boards are seen damaged at an office building in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, on June 25, 2026, after a preliminary magnitude-7.2 earthquake hit northeastern Japan.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

A damaged automatic door of a supermarket is seen in Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture on June 25, 2026, after a preliminary magnitude-7.2 earthquake hit northeastern Japan.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News plane on June 25, 2026, shows a damaged exterior wall of a building in Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture, after a preliminary magnitude-7.2 earthquake hit northeastern Japan.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Debris from a building's exterior wall is scattered across a parking lot in Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture, on June 25, 2026, after a preliminary magnitude-7.2 earthquake hit northeastern Japan.

Japan's Fuji Electric workers detained in China

Japan's Fuji Electric workers detained in China

Photo taken on June 25, 2026, shows a plant run by a company of Japan's Fuji Electric Co. group in Dalian, China. Two Japanese Fuji Electric employees were detained in May in the northeastern Chinese city, possibly over attempts to take rare earth-related products overseas, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Japan's Fuji Electric workers detained in China

Japan's Fuji Electric workers detained in China

Photo taken on June 25, 2026, shows a plant run by a company of Japan's Fuji Electric Co. group in Dalian, China. Two Japanese Fuji Electric employees were detained in May in the northeastern Chinese city, possibly over attempts to take rare earth-related products overseas, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Japan's Fuji Electric workers detained in China

Japan's Fuji Electric workers detained in China

Photo taken on June 25, 2026, shows a plant run by a company of Japan's Fuji Electric Co. group in Dalian, China. Two Japanese Fuji Electric employees were detained in May in the northeastern Chinese city, possibly over attempts to take rare earth-related products overseas, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Japan's Fuji Electric workers detained in China

Japan's Fuji Electric workers detained in China

Photo taken on June 25, 2026, shows a plant run by a company of Japan's Fuji Electric Co. group in Dalian, China. Two Japanese Fuji Electric employees were detained in May in the northeastern Chinese city, possibly over attempts to take rare earth-related products overseas, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Photo taken on June 25, 2026, shows a damaged exterior wall of a building in Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture, after a preliminary magnitude-7.2 earthquake hit northeastern Japan.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News plane on June 25, 2026, shows a damaged exterior wall of a building in Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture, after a preliminary magnitude-7.2 earthquake hit northeastern Japan.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Photo taken on June 25, 2026, shows a damaged exterior wall of a building in Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture, after a preliminary magnitude-7.2 earthquake hit northeastern Japan.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Debris from a building's exterior wall is scattered across a parking lot in Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture, on June 25, 2026, after a preliminary magnitude-7.2 earthquake hit northeastern Japan.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Photo taken June 25, 2026, shows a building in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, with its wall damaged by a preliminary-magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck the region.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Photo taken June 25, 2026, shows a building in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, with its wall damaged by a preliminary-magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck the region.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

A retaining wall is seen collapsed in Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture on June 25, 2026, after a preliminary magnitude-7.2 earthquake hit northeastern Japan.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

People look at a digital bulletin board at JR Sendai Station in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on June 25, 2026, after Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train services were halted following a preliminary-magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck the region earlier in the day.