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Summer heat in Hokkaido

A child plays at a fountain in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on July 24, 2025, as the temperature reaches close to 40 C amid unusually hot summer heat in the northern Japan city.

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Speed skating: World Cup in Obihiro

Momoka Horikawa of Japan competes in the women's 3,000 meters at the World Cup speed skating meet in Obihiro, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Nov. 12, 2023.

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Speed skating: World Cup in Obihiro

Tatsuya Shinhama of Japan competes in the men's 500 meters at the World Cup speed skating meet in Obihiro, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Nov. 12, 2023.

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Speed skating: World Cup in Obihiro

Wataru Morishige of Japan competes in the men's 500 meters at the World Cup speed skating meet in Obihiro, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Nov. 12, 2023.

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Speed skating: World Cup in Obihiro

(From L) Silver medalist Momoka Horikawa of Japan, gold medalist Ragne Wiklund of Norway and bronze medalist Antoinette Rijpma-De Jong of the Netherlands pose for a photo during the award ceremony for the women's 3000 meters at the World Cup speed skating meet in Obihiro, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Nov. 12, 2023.

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Speed skating: World Cup in Obihiro

(From L) Silver medalist Tatsuya Shinhama of Japan, gold medalist Wataru Morishige of Japan and bronze medalist Jordan Stolz of the United States pose for a photo during the award ceremony for the men's 500 meters at the World Cup speed skating meet in Obihiro, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Nov. 12, 2023.

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World Cup in Obihiro

Japanese speed skaters -- (from L) Ayano Sato, Momoka Horikawa and Miho Takagi -- pose for a photo after winning the women's team pursuit event at the World Cup speed skating meet in Obihiro, northern Japan, on Nov. 11, 2023.

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World Cup in Obihiro

Japanese speed skaters -- (from L) Ayano Sato, Momoka Horikawa and Miho Takagi -- pose for a photo after winning the women's team pursuit event at the World Cup speed skating meet in Obihiro, northern Japan, on Nov. 11, 2023.

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Speed Skating: World Cup in Obihiro

Japanese speed skaters -- (from L) Miho Takagi, Ayano Sato and Momoka Horikawa -- compete en route to winning the women's team pursuit event at the World Cup speed skating meet in Obihiro, northern Japan, on Nov. 11, 2023.

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World Cup in Obihiro

Japanese speed skaters -- (from R) Miho Takagi, Ayano Sato and Momoka Horikawa -- compete en route to winning the women's team pursuit event at the World Cup speed skating meet in Obihiro, northern Japan, on Nov. 11, 2023.

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Speed skating: World Cup in Obihiro

Miho Takagi of Japan celebrates after winning gold in the women's 1,500 meters at the World Cup speed skating meet in Obihiro, northern Japan, on Nov. 11, 2023

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Speed skating: World Cup in Obihiro

Miho Takagi (C) of Japan poses after winning gold in the women's 1,500 meters at the World Cup speed skating meet in Obihiro, northern Japan, on Nov. 11, 2023, alongside silver medalist Antoinette Rijpma-De Jong of the Netherlands (L) and bronze medalist Kimi Goetz of the United States.

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Send-off ceremony for GSDF troops before S. Sudan PKO

KUSHIRO, Japan - A send-off ceremony for Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force troops is held at a GSDF camp in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on May 20, 2014, before their dispatch to South Sudan for U.N. peacekeeping operations.

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Pork bowl mascot plays with children in Hokkaido

KUSHIRO, Japan - "Butadonman," a mascot for Hokkaido's Tokachi region made in the image of a pork bowl, a popular local dish, interacts with children at an event held in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on March 21, 2014, jointly with Kagawa Prefecture, in southwestern Japan, which has raised its profile in the country with its "sanuki" udon noodles.

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Students gather around Tezuka's drawings

KUSHIRO, Japan - A group of students at Obihiro Kashiwa Elementary School in Obihiro, Hokkaido gather around a panel with original drawings by the late cartoonist Osamu Tezuka on Feb. 18, 2014. The panel was donated to the school by a former comic magazine editor.

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Ex-Ozawa aide Ishikawa

OBIHIRO, Japan - Tomohiro Ishikawa, a House of Representatives member belonging to the New Party Daichi, holds a press conference in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on May 16, 2013. Ishikawa, a former aide to veteran politician Ichiro Ozawa, said he will quit as a Diet member but will not drop his appeal against a court ruling that found him guilty of falsifying political fund reports of Ozawa's fund management body.

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Softbank planning Japan's largest solar power plant

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in December 2011 shows an experimental solar power plant run by Softbank Corp. in Obihiro, Hokkaido. The Tokyo-based mobile phone carrier is planning to build what would be Japan's largest solar power plant in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, with an output capacity of at least 200,000 kilowatts, industry sources said April 4, 2012.

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Solar power plant in Hokkaido

OBIHIRO, Japan - Softbank Corp., which has formed a natural energy council with 35 of Japan's 47 prefectures, launches power generation at a 100-kilowatt experimental solar power plant in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Dec. 15, 2011.

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Icebreaker in Sea of Okhotsk

OBIHIRO, Japan - The icebreaker Aurora, carrying tourists to view drift ice, plows its way in the Sea of Okhotsk on Jan. 28, 2011, after leaving the port of Abashiri in Hokkaido, northern Japan.

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Lawmaker Suzuki loses seat in parliament

TOKYO, Japan - Muneo Suzuki, a seasoned House of Representatives lawmaker, speaks to reporters in Obihiro, Hokkaido on Sept. 16, 2010, after the Supreme Court turned down his complaint over its recent decision to reject his appeal against his conviction on four counts including bribery. Suzuki has lost his seat in parliament following the court decision.

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Top jockeys help slumping Hokkaido horse race

SAPPORO, Japan - Yutaka Take (R, crouching) and other top jockeys in Japan take part in a promotional event for the Banei horse race in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Aug. 23, 2010. The organizer of the race, known for its unique style in which a horse pulls a jockey on an iron sleigh on the 200-meter course with slopes, has tried unsuccessfully to increase the number of punters and spectators.

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Top jockeys help slumping Hokkaido horse race

SAPPORO, Japan - Yutaka Take (crouching) and other top jockeys in Japan take part in a promotional event for the Banei horse race in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Aug. 23, 2010. The organizer of the race, known for its unique style in which a horse pulls a jockey on an iron sleigh on the 200-meter course with slopes, has tried unsuccessfully to increase the number of punters and spectators.

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Former Olympic champion Shimizu at retirement ceremony

OBIHIRO, Japan - Nagano Olympic 500-meter gold medalist Hiroyasu Shimizu (2nd from R) holding a Japanese national flag skates with children during his retirement ceremony on March 6, 2010 in Obihiro, Hokkaido. He said the previous day he has truly enjoyed his life in competitive speed skating after drawing the curtain on a record-breaking career.

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Former Olympic champion Shimizu at retirement ceremony

OBIHIRO, Japan - Nagano Olympic 500-meter gold medalist Hiroyasu Shimizu poses for photographs with a Japanese national flag during his retirement ceremony on March 6, 2010 in Obihiro, Hokkaido. He said the previous day he has truly enjoyed his life in competitive speed skating after drawing the curtain on a record-breaking career.

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Former Olympic champion Shimizu reflects on memorable career

OBIHIRO, Japan - Nagano Olympic 500-meter gold medalist Hiroyasu Shimizu bows to reporters at the end of a press conference in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on March, 5, 2010, after drawing the curtain on a record-breaking career. During the press conference, Shimizu said he truly enjoyed his life in competitive speed skating.

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Former Olympic champion Shimizu reflects on memorable career

OBIHIRO, Japan - Nagano Olympic 500-meter gold medalist Hiroyasu Shimizu tries to hold back tears during a press conference in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on March 5, 2010, after drawing the curtain on a record-breaking career. During the press conference, Shimizu said he truly enjoyed his life in competitive speed skating.

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Former Olympic champion Shimizu reflects on memorable career

OBIHIRO, Japan - Nagano Olympic 500-meter gold medalist Hiroyasu Shimizu tries to hold back tears during a press conference in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on March 5, 2010, after drawing the curtain on a record-breaking career. During the press conference, Shimizu said he truly enjoyed his life in competitive speed skating.

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Ishikawa says he will not resign as lawmaker or leave DPJ

TOKYO, Japan - Tomohiro Ishikawa, a Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker and former aide to DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, speaks during a news conference in Obihiro, Hokkaido, where his constituency is located, on Feb. 9, 2010. Ishikawa said he will not resign as a lawmaker or leave the party in the wake of his indictment over funding irregularities in connection with a land purchase in Tokyo.

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Nagashima 3rd overall at world sprint championships

OBIHIRO, Japan - Japan's Keiichiro Nagashima (R) skates in the men's 500 meters at the World Sprint Speed Skating Championships at the Meiji Hokkaido-Tokachi Oval in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Jan. 17, 2010. Nagashima placed third in the 500 meters and eighth in the 1,000 meters, finishing third in the overall standings.

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Yoshii 2nd overall at world sprint championships

OBIHIRO, Japan - Japan's Sayuri Yoshii skates in the women's 1,000 meters at the World Sprint Speed Skating Championships at the Meiji Hokkaido-Tokachi Oval in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Jan. 17, 2010. Yoshii won the 1,000 meters for the second day in a row, finishing second in the overall standings.

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Nagashima takes 1st in 500 at sprint worlds

OBIHIRO, Japan - Japan's Keiichiro Nagashima skates in the men's 500 meters at the World Sprint Speed Skating Championships at the Meiji Hokkaido-Tokachi Oval in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Jan. 16, 2010. Nagashima clocked 35.01 seconds to win the race.

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Nagashima takes 1st in 500 at sprint worlds

OBIHIRO, Japan - Japan's Keiichiro Nagashima celebrates after winning the men's 500 meters at the World Sprint Speed Skating Championships at the Meiji Hokkaido-Tokachi Oval in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Jan. 16, 2010. Nagashima clocked 35.01 seconds to outrun South Korea's Lee Kang Seok and Lee Kyou Hyuk, the top two in the World Cup 500-meter rankings this season.

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Yoshii wins women's 1000 meters at world sprint speed skating

OBIHIRO, Japan - Sayuri Yoshii of Japan skates during the women's 1000 meters at the World Sprint Speed Skating Championships at the Meiji Hokkaido-Tokachi Oval in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Jan. 16, 2010. Yoshii won the race in 1:17.26 in the absence of top skaters in the distance.

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Nagashima takes 1st in 500 at sprint worlds

OBIHIRO, Japan - Japan's Keiichiro Nagashima celebrates after winning the men's 500 meters at the World Sprint Speed Skating Championships at the Meiji Hokkaido-Tokachi Oval in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Jan. 16, 2010. Nagashima clocked 35.01 seconds to outrun South Korea's Lee Kang Seok and Lee Kyou Hyuk, the top two in the World Cup 500-meter rankings this season.

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S. Korea's Lee win women's 500 meters at world sprint speed skating

OBIHIRO, Japan - South Korea's Lee Sang Hwa skates during the women's 500 meters at the World Sprint Speed Skating Championships at the Meiji Hokkaido-Tokachi Oval in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Jan. 16, 2010. Lee won the race in 38.19 seconds to take the overall lead.

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Former Ozawa aide Ishikawa arrested over funds scandal

OBIHIRO, Japan - Reporters, photographers and TV crews gather at an office of Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker Tomohiro Ishikawa in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Jan. 15, 2010, after the former aide of ruling party kingpin Ichiro Ozawa was arrested by prosecutors over a funds scandal.

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Ozawa's ex-aide Ishikawa arrested over funds scandal

TOKYO, Japan - Tomohiro Ishikawa, a Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker and one-time secretary to DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, speaks to reporters in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Dec. 28, 2009. Prosecutors arrested Ishikawa on Jan. 15, 2010, in connection with a political funds scandal involving Ozawa's fund management body.

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Ozawa's ex-aide Ishikawa arrested over funds scandal

TOKYO, Japan - This January 2009 file photo shows Ichiro Ozawa (L), then president of the Democratic Party of Japan, and DPJ lawmaker Tomohiro Ishikawa attending an event in Obihiro, Hokkaido. Prosecutors arrested Ishikawa on Jan. 15, 2010, in connection with a political funds scandal involving Ozawa's fund management body.

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Fifteen-year-old Takagi wins in women's 1,000-M in Asian races

OBIHIRO, Japan - Fifteen-year-old Miho Takagi, who has won a ticket for February's Vancouver Olympic Games, smiles after winning the women's 1,000 meters in 1 minute, 17.87 seconds at the Asian Single Distances Speed Skating Competitions 2010 in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Jan. 10, 2010. Takagi is the first junior high school student in Japanese speed skating history to win a ticket to a Winter Games.

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Fifteen-year-old Takagi wins in women's 1,000-M in Asian races

OBIHIRO, Japan - Fifteen-year-old Miho Takagi, who has won a ticket for February's Vancouver Olympic Games, skates to victory in women's 1,000 meters in 1 minute, 17.87 seconds at the Asian Single Distances Speed Skating Competitions 2010 in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Jan. 10, 2010. Takagi is the first junior high school student in Japanese speed skating history to win a ticket to a Winter Games.

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Fifteen-year-old Takagi wins in women's 1,000-M in Asian races

OBIHIRO, Japan - Fifteen-year-old Miho Takagi, who has won a ticket for February's Vancouver Olympic Games, shows off her gold medal after winning the women's 1,000 meters in 1 minute, 17.87 seconds at the Asian Single Distances Speed Skating Competitions 2010 in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Jan. 10, 2010. Takagi is the first junior high school student in Japanese speed skating history to win a ticket to a Winter Games.

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Ex-Finance Minister Nakagawa loses Diet seat

OBIHIRO, Japan - Former Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa of the Liberal Democratic Party bows at his campaign office in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Aug. 30. Nakagawa, who stepped down as finance minister after appearing to be drunk at a press conference at the Group of Seven financial meeting in Rome in February, lost his seat in the House of Representatives in the general election.

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Ex-Finance Minister Nakagawa loses Diet seat

OBIHIRO, Japan - Former Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa of the Liberal Democratic Party talks on the cellphone while walking past a portrait of his deceased father Ichiro Nakagawa, also an LDP politician, in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Aug. 30. Nakagawa, who stepped down as finance minister after appearing to be drunk at a press conference at the Group of Seven financial meeting in Rome in February, lost his seat in the House of Representatives in the general election.

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Ex-Finance Minister Nakagawa loses Diet seat

OBIHIRO, Japan - In his campaign office in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Aug. 30, 2009, former Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa of the Liberal Democratic Party consoles a supporter who burst into tears after Nakagawa lost his seat in the House of Representatives election. Nakagawa stepped down as finance minister after appearing to be drunk at a press conference at the Group of Seven financial meeting in Rome in February.

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Ex-Finance Minister Nakagawa loses Diet seat

OBIHIRO, Japan - Former Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa of the Liberal Democratic Party grimaces while speaking to supporters in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Aug. 30. Nakagawa, who stepped down as finance minister after appearing to be drunk at a press conference at the Group of Seven financial meeting in Rome in February, lost his seat in the House of Representatives in the general election.

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Nakagawa suggests debate on Japan having nuclear weapons

KUSHIRO, Japan - Former Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa delivers a speech at a meeting in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on April 19. Nakagawa suggested that Japan should promote discussions on the possibility of possessing nuclear weapons.

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Loeb wins Rally Japan

OBIHIRO, Japan - Sebastien Loeb (R) of France driving a Citroen expresses joy with champagne after winning the Rally Japan, the 11th round of the 2006 FIA World Rally Championship, in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Sept. 3.

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Loeb wins Rally Japan

OBIHIRO, Japan - Sebastien Loeb of France driving a Citroen expresses joy with champagne after winning the Rally Japan, the 11th round of the 2006 FIA World Rally Championship, in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Sept. 3.

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(2)Middle school girl, producer strive to preserve Ainu music

OBIHIRO, Japan - Akemi Takeyama (C) and her mother, Miyuki (L), play Ainu traditional instruments ''mukkuri'' in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Oct. 17.

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(3)Major quakes jolt Japan's northern island of Hokkaido

OBIHIRO, Japan - Books are scattered on the floor of a bookstore in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Sept. 26 after two powerful earthquakes hit Japan's northern island prefecture of Hokkaido.