Japan mulls additional release of oil reserves

Japan mulls additional release of oil reserves

File photo taken on Aug. 28, 2023, shows the Shibushi National Petroleum Stockpiling Base, straddling the towns of Higashikushira and Kimotsuki in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan. Japan is considering an additional release of oil reserves equivalent to 20 days of domestic consumption.

Ancient cherry tree in Japan

Ancient cherry tree in Japan

A cherry tree estimated to be over 1,000 years old comes into full bloom in Miharu in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 8, 2026. With its flowers spreading in all directions from the branches, the government-protected tree is known as the "waterfall cherry tree of Miharu."

Ancient cherry tree in Japan

Ancient cherry tree in Japan

A full-bloomed cherry tree estimated to be over 1,000 years is illuminated in Miharu in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 8, 2026. With its flowers spreading in all directions from the branches, the government-protected tree is known as the "waterfall cherry tree of Miharu."

Ancient cherry tree in Japan

Ancient cherry tree in Japan

A cherry tree estimated to be over 1,000 years old comes into full bloom in Miharu in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 8, 2026. With its flowers spreading in all directions from the branches, the government-protected tree is known as the "waterfall cherry tree of Miharu."

Ancient cherry tree in Japan

Ancient cherry tree in Japan

A cherry tree estimated to be over 1,000 years old comes into full bloom in Miharu in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 8, 2026. With its flowers spreading in all directions from the branches, the government-protected tree is known as the "waterfall cherry tree of Miharu."

Cherry blossoms at train station on quake-hit Noto Peninsula

Cherry blossoms at train station on quake-hit Noto Peninsula

A Noto Railway train arrives at Notokashima Station in Anamizu, Ishikawa Prefecture, on April 8, 2026, as cherry blossoms in full bloom surround the station, also known as Noto Sakura Station, on the quake-hit Noto Peninsula.

Cherry blossoms at train station on quake-hit Noto Peninsula

Cherry blossoms at train station on quake-hit Noto Peninsula

A Noto Railway train arrives at Notokashima Station in Anamizu, Ishikawa Prefecture, on April 8, 2026, as cherry blossoms in full bloom surround the station, also known as Noto Sakura Station, on the quake-hit Noto Peninsula.

Cherry blossoms at train station on quake-hit Noto Peninsula

Cherry blossoms at train station on quake-hit Noto Peninsula

A Noto Railway train arrives at Notokashima Station in Anamizu, Ishikawa Prefecture, on April 8, 2026, as cherry blossoms in full bloom surround the station, also known as Noto Sakura Station, on the quake-hit Noto Peninsula.

Cherry blossoms at train station on quake-hit Noto Peninsula

Cherry blossoms at train station on quake-hit Noto Peninsula

A Noto Railway train arrives at Notokashima Station in Anamizu, Ishikawa Prefecture, on April 8, 2026, as cherry blossoms in full bloom surround the station, also known as Noto Sakura Station, on the quake-hit Noto Peninsula.

Cherry blossoms at train station on quake-hit Noto Peninsula

Cherry blossoms at train station on quake-hit Noto Peninsula

A Noto Railway train arrives at Notokashima Station in Anamizu, Ishikawa Prefecture, on April 8, 2026, as cherry blossoms in full bloom surround the station, also known as Noto Sakura Station, on the quake-hit Noto Peninsula.

Demolition site in Kawasaki

KAWASAKI, Japan, April 8 Kyodo - A photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 8, 2026, shows a demolition site within the steelmaking complex of JFE Steel Corp. in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, after part of a crane being dismantled fell and 40-meter-high scaffolding collapsed the previous day. Five workers fell from the crane and the structure, leaving three dead and one worker, who likely fell into the ocean, missing. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Demolition site in Kawasaki

KAWASAKI, Japan, April 8 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 7, 2026, shows a demolition site at a complex belonging to JFE Steel Corp. in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, after 40-meter-high scaffolding collapsed, causing five workers to fall from the structure. (Kyodo)

Imitation chrysanthemum production in western Japan

TANABE, Japan, April 6 Kyodo - Production of imitation chrysanthemum flowers is under way in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 6, 2026, ahead of a three-day annual festival at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine, starting on April 13. (Kyodo)

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

Photo taken on April 8, 2026, in Akune, Kagoshima Prefecture, shows the body of a Japanese Shidenkai fighter plane that crashed into the sea off the southwestern Japan city during World War II. A Japanese civic group salvaged the plane from the water 200 meters offshore at a depth of up to 4 meters.

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

A Japanese Shidenkai fighter plane that crashed into the sea off the southwestern Japan city Akune, Kagoshima Prefecture, during World War II is retrieved from the water on April 8, 2026. The plane had remained 200 meters offshore at a depth of up to 4 meters.

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

A Japanese Shidenkai fighter plane that crashed into the sea off the southwestern Japan city Akune, Kagoshima Prefecture, during World War II is retrieved from the water on April 8, 2026. The plane had remained 200 meters offshore at a depth of up to 4 meters.

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

A Japanese Shidenkai fighter plane that crashed into the sea off the southwestern Japan city Akune, Kagoshima Prefecture, during World War II is retrieved from the water on April 8, 2026. The plane had remained 200 meters offshore at a depth of up to 4 meters.

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

Photo taken on April 8, 2026, in Akune, Kagoshima Prefecture, shows the body of a Japanese Shidenkai fighter plane that crashed into the sea off the southwestern Japan city during World War II. A Japanese civic group salvaged the plane from the water 200 meters offshore at a depth of up to 4 meters.

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

Japanese World War II fighter salvaged from sea

A Japanese Shidenkai fighter plane that crashed into the sea off the southwestern Japan city Akune, Kagoshima Prefecture, during World War II is retrieved from the water on April 8, 2026. The plane had remained 200 meters offshore at a depth of up to 4 meters.

Japan: Imperial Family Visits Fukushima on 15th Earthquake Anniversary

Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter, Princess Aiko visited Fukushima Prefecture on April 6 and 7, marking the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. It was Princess Aiko's first visit to the prefecture. As the motorcade made its way to Fukushima Station at the conclusion of the visit, the imperial family was seen waving to crowds gathered along the route.

"No War" demonstration in Japan

"No War" demonstration in Japan

Demonstrators raise banners reading "No War" at an anti-war rally in front of Sendai Station in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, on April 8, 2026.

"No War" demonstration in Japan

"No War" demonstration in Japan

Demonstrators raise banners reading "No War" at an anti-war rally in front of Sendai Station in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, on April 8, 2026.

Japan: Strong Winds Knock Down Cherry Tree in Saitama

Strong winds battered Tokyo and Saitama Prefecture on Monday, April 7, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue a wind advisory for parts of the area. Kumagaya recorded a maximum instantaneous wind speed of 21.9 m/s. This video shows a cherry tree that appears to have been knocked down by gusty winds in Saitama City.

Demolition site in Kawasaki

Demolition site in Kawasaki

A photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 8, 2026, shows a demolition site within the steelmaking complex of JFE Steel Corp. in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, after part of a crane being dismantled fell and 40-meter-high scaffolding collapsed the previous day. Five workers fell from the crane and the structure, leaving three dead and one worker, who likely fell into the ocean, missing.

Demolition site in Kawasaki

Demolition site in Kawasaki

A photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 8, 2026, shows a demolition site within the steelmaking complex of JFE Steel Corp. in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, after part of a crane being dismantled fell and 40-meter-high scaffolding collapsed the previous day. Five workers fell from the crane and the structure, leaving three dead and one worker, who likely fell into the ocean, missing.

Demolition site in Kawasaki

Demolition site in Kawasaki

A photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 8, 2026, shows a demolition site within the steelmaking complex of JFE Steel Corp. in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, after part of a crane being dismantled fell and 40-meter-high scaffolding collapsed the previous day. Five workers fell from the crane and the structure, leaving three dead and one worker, who likely fell into the ocean, missing.

Demolition site in Kawasaki

Demolition site in Kawasaki

A photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 8, 2026, shows a demolition site within the steelmaking complex of JFE Steel Corp. in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, after part of a crane being dismantled fell and 40-meter-high scaffolding collapsed the previous day. Five workers fell from the crane and the structure, leaving three dead and one worker, who likely fell into the ocean, missing.

Demolition site in Kawasaki

Demolition site in Kawasaki

A photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 8, 2026, shows a demolition site within the steelmaking complex of JFE Steel Corp. in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, after part of a crane being dismantled fell and 40-meter-high scaffolding collapsed the previous day. Five workers fell from the crane and the structure, leaving three dead and one worker, who likely fell into the ocean, missing.

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko talk with a student at an educational institution in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, after observing a class on April 7, 2026. The imperial family is visiting the prefecture in northeastern Japan to observe the recovery efforts after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region in March 2011, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. (Pool photo)

Demolition site in Kawasaki

Demolition site in Kawasaki

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 7, 2026, shows a demolition site at a complex belonging to JFE Steel Corp. in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, after 40-meter-high scaffolding collapsed, causing five workers to fall from the structure.

Demolition site in Kawasaki

Demolition site in Kawasaki

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 7, 2026, shows a demolition site at a complex belonging to JFE Steel Corp. in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, after 40-meter-high scaffolding collapsed, causing five workers to fall from the structure.

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko listen to a person affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake in Okuma, Fukushima, on April 7, 2026. Fifteen years after the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters that struck northeastern Japan in March 2011, they are visiting the prefecture to see the recovery efforts firsthand.

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (2nd from L, background), Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko observe a class at an educational institution in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, on April 7, 2026. The imperial family is visiting the prefecture in northeastern Japan to observe the recovery efforts after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region in March 2011, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. (Pool photo)

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (far L), Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko meet a person (R) affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake in Okuma, Fukushima, on April 7, 2026. Fifteen years after the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters that struck northeastern Japan in March 2011, they are visiting the prefecture to see the recovery efforts firsthand.

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

(From L, background) Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko observe a class at an educational institution in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, on April 7, 2026. The imperial family is visiting the prefecture in northeastern Japan to observe the recovery efforts after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region in March 2011, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. (Pool photo)

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R), Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko on April 7, 2026, visit a roadside rest area in the tsunami-devastated northeastern Japan town of Namie, Fukushima Prefecture. Fifteen years after the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters that struck northeastern Japan in March 2011, they are visiting the prefecture to see the recovery efforts firsthand.

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R), Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko on April 7, 2026, visit a roadside rest area in the tsunami-devastated northeastern Japan town of Namie, Fukushima Prefecture. Fifteen years after the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters that struck northeastern Japan in March 2011, they are visiting the prefecture to see the recovery efforts firsthand.

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

(Facing camera, from L) Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko talk with a person affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake in Okuma, Fukushima, on April 7, 2026. Fifteen years after the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters that struck northeastern Japan in March 2011, they are visiting the prefecture to see the recovery efforts firsthand. (Pool photo)

Memorial ceremony for Japan golf legend Ozaki

Memorial ceremony for Japan golf legend Ozaki

Pro golfers make tee shots during a memorial ceremony for Japan golf legend Masashi Ozaki at a country club in Kuwana in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on April 8, 2026. Nicknamed Jumbo Ozaki after the Boeing 747 "Jumbo Jet," he died aged 78 in December 2025, after scoring 112 wins, the most for a Japanese pro golfer, between 1971 and 2002.

Memorial ceremony for Japan golf legend Ozaki

Memorial ceremony for Japan golf legend Ozaki

Pro golfers pose for a photo during a memorial ceremony for Japan golf legend Masashi Ozaki at a country club in Kuwana in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on April 8, 2026. Nicknamed Jumbo Ozaki after the Boeing 747 "Jumbo Jet," he died aged 78 in December 2025, after scoring 112 wins, the most for a Japanese pro golfer, between 1971 and 2002.

CORRECTED: Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

CORRECTED: Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (far L), Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko on April 7, 2026, visit a roadside rest area in the tsunami-devastated northeastern Japan town of Namie, Fukushima Prefecture. Fifteen years after the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters that struck northeastern Japan in March 2011, they are visiting the prefecture to see the recovery efforts firsthand.

Demolition site in Kawasaki

Demolition site in Kawasaki

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 7, 2026, shows a demolition site at a complex belonging to JFE Steel Corp. in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, after 40-meter-high scaffolding collapsed, causing five workers to fall from the structure.

Demolition site in Kawasaki

Demolition site in Kawasaki

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 7, 2026, shows a demolition site at a complex belonging to JFE Steel Corp. in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, after 40-meter-high scaffolding collapsed, causing five workers to fall from the structure.

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

(Facing camera, from L) Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko talk with a person affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake at a memorial museum in Futaba, a town in Fukushima Prefecture that co-hosts the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, on April 6, 2026. Fifteen years after the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters that struck northeastern Japan in March 2011, they are visiting the prefecture to see the recovery efforts firsthand.

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

(From L, front) Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko observe a class at an educational institution in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, on April 7, 2026. The imperial family is visiting the prefecture in northeastern Japan to observe the recovery efforts after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region in March 2011, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. (Pool photo)

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko arrive at a memorial museum in Futaba, a town in Fukushima Prefecture that co-hosts the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, on April 6, 2026. Fifteen years after the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters that struck northeastern Japan in March 2011, they are visiting the prefecture to see the recovery efforts firsthand.

Japan: Scaffold Collapse at JFE Steel Plant in Kawasaki Leaves Three Critical, One Missing

A scaffold approximately 40 meters high collapsed at JFE Steel's East Japan Works in Kawasaki City on Tuesday afternoon, April 7, causing five workers to fall. Three are unconscious and in critical condition, one is missing, and one remains conscious. Police are investigating possible professional negligence.

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japanese Princess Aiko is greeted upon her arrival at the J-Village facility in Fukushima Prefecture on April 6, 2026. Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko are visiting Fukushima Prefecture to observe the recovery efforts after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region in March 2011, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. (Pool photo)

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are greeted upon their arrival at the J-Village facility in Fukushima Prefecture on April 6, 2026. The imperial couple and their daughter Princess Aiko are visiting Fukushima Prefecture to observe the recovery efforts after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region in March 2011, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. (Pool photo)

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japanese Princess Aiko is greeted upon her arrival at the J-Village facility in Fukushima Prefecture on April 6, 2026. Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko are visiting Fukushima Prefecture to observe the recovery efforts after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region in March 2011, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. (Pool photo)