Renowned Japanese TV personality Hiroshi Kume dies at 81

Renowned Japanese TV personality Hiroshi Kume dies at 81

Renowned Japanese TV personality Hiroshi Kume (C), known for hosting "The Best Ten" music show between 1978 and 1985, and anchoring the "News Station" news show between 1985 and 2004, receives "the best dressed eyes" award in Tokyo on Oct. 18, 2004. Kume died of lung cancer on Jan. 1, 2026, aged 81.

Red-brick Tokyo Station building reopens

Red-brick Tokyo Station building reopens

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in 2004 shows the two-storied red-brick Tokyo Station building, as the third floor and the domes of the original building were destroyed by a 1945 air raid during World War II. The station building opened Oct. 1, 2012, after five years' restoration work to return the landmark to its original look dating back to 1914.

Mariners' Ichiro selected as team MVP

Mariners' Ichiro selected as team MVP

SEATTLE, United States - Seattle Mariners Ichiro Suzuki receives the team MVP award at Safeco Field in Seattle prior to a game against the Oakland Athletics on Oct. 1, 2010. It was his fifth time receiving the award, bestowed by local media, having also won it in 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2009.

Mariners' Ichiro selected as team MVP

Mariners' Ichiro selected as team MVP

SEATTLE, United States - Seattle Mariners Ichiro Suzuki responds to cheers from the crowd as he is named team MVP at Safeco Field in Seattle prior to a game against the Oakland Athletics on Oct. 1, 2010. It was his fifth time receiving the award, bestowed by local media, having also won it in 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2009.

Renown, D'urban to unify operations

Renown, D'urban to unify operations

TOKYO, Japan - Renown Inc. President Shozo Watanabe (L) and D'urban Inc. President Yasuhisa Oka pose for photos at a news conference in Tokyo on Oct. 10 after announcing an agreement to integrate their operations under a holding company they will jointly establish March 1, 2004.

Tokio Marine, Nichido Fire to merge in 2004

Tokio Marine, Nichido Fire to merge in 2004

TOKYO, Japan - Tokio Marine & Fire Insurance Co. President Kunio Ishihara (R) and Nichido Fire & Marine Insurance Co. President Tomio Higuchi shake hands at a news conference in Tokyo on March 28 after announcing the merge of the two companies slated for Oct. 1, 2004. The merger, which will create Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., is aimed at dealing with ''crustal changes'' in the market for property and casualty insurance.