H3 rocket launch canceled

H3 rocket launch canceled

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 17, 2025, shows a Japanese H3 rocket at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency canceled the launch of the No. 8 rocket, loaded with the No. 5 Michibiki satellite for enhanced global positioning, due to an equipment malfunction.

H3 rocket launch canceled

H3 rocket launch canceled

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 17, 2025, shows a Japanese H3 rocket at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency canceled the launch of the No. 8 rocket, loaded with the No. 5 Michibiki satellite for enhanced global positioning, due to an equipment malfunction.

H3 rocket launch canceled

H3 rocket launch canceled

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 17, 2025, shows a Japanese H3 rocket at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency canceled the launch of the No. 8 rocket, loaded with the No. 5 Michibiki satellite for enhanced global positioning, due to an equipment malfunction.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

People queue to ride buses at a bus terminal linked to JR Hachinohe Station in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, on Dec. 16, 2025, as the railway service has been suspended since a powerful earthquake hit the northeastern Japan city on Dec. 8.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

People queue to ride buses at a bus terminal linked to JR Hachinohe Station in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, on Dec. 16, 2025, as the railway service has been suspended since a powerful earthquake hit the northeastern Japan city on Dec. 8.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

People queue to ride buses at a bus terminal linked to JR Hachinohe Station in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, on Dec. 16, 2025, as the railway service has been suspended since a powerful earthquake hit the northeastern Japan city on Dec. 8.

Year-end cleaning at Himeji Castle

Year-end cleaning at Himeji Castle

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel perform year-end cleaning of Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on Dec. 16, 2025, in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan.

Year-end cleaning at Himeji Castle

Year-end cleaning at Himeji Castle

A member of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force performs year-end cleaning of Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on Dec. 16, 2025, in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan.

Shuri Castle under reconstruction

Shuri Castle under reconstruction

Photo taken on Dec. 15, 2025, shows the south-side corridor that is connected to the main hall (back) of Shuri Castle, now under reconstruction, in Naha in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa. The corridor, together with the west-side corridor and the main hall, is to be completed in the autumn of 2026, seven years after fire gutted the World Heritage-listed castle in October 2019.

Shuri Castle under reconstruction

Shuri Castle under reconstruction

Photo taken on Dec. 15, 2025, shows the south-side corridor that is connected to the main hall (back) of Shuri Castle, now under reconstruction, in Naha in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa. The corridor, together with the west-side corridor and the main hall, is to be completed in the autumn of 2026, seven years after fire gutted the World Heritage-listed castle in October 2019.

Shuri Castle under reconstruction

Shuri Castle under reconstruction

Photo taken on Dec. 15, 2025, shows the south-side corridor that is connected to the main hall (back) of Shuri Castle, now under reconstruction, in Naha in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa. The corridor, together with the west-side corridor and the main hall, is to be completed in the autumn of 2026, seven years after fire gutted the World Heritage-listed castle in October 2019.

Shuri Castle under reconstruction

Shuri Castle under reconstruction

Photo taken on Dec. 15, 2025, shows the south-side corridor that is connected to the main hall (back) of Shuri Castle, now under reconstruction, in Naha in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa. The corridor, together with the west-side corridor and the main hall, is to be completed in the autumn of 2026, seven years after fire gutted the World Heritage-listed castle in October 2019.

Aftermath of strong quake in Japan

Aftermath of strong quake in Japan

A morning market is near empty on Dec. 13, 2025, in Hakodate in Hokkaido, northern Japan, after the national weather agency warned of the possibility of a strong earthquake striking the region following a magnitude 7.5 quake that jolted Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 8.

Aftermath of strong quake in Japan

Aftermath of strong quake in Japan

A morning market is near empty on Dec. 13, 2025, in Hakodate in Hokkaido, northern Japan, after the national weather agency warned of the possibility of a strong earthquake striking the region following a magnitude 7.5 quake that jolted Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 8.

Aftermath of strong quake in Japan

Aftermath of strong quake in Japan

A morning market is near empty on Dec. 13, 2025, in Hakodate in Hokkaido, northern Japan, after the national weather agency warned of the possibility of a strong earthquake striking the region following a magnitude 7.5 quake that jolted Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 8.

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Staff dust off Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple during annual year-end cleaning in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025.

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Staff dust off Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple during annual year-end cleaning in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025.

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Staff dust off Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple during annual year-end cleaning in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025.

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Staff dust off Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple during annual year-end cleaning in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025.

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Staff dust off Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple during annual year-end cleaning in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025.

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japanese Princess Hisako looks at ceramic dogs she donated to the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum in Seto in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Dec. 12, 2025. The princess donated over 200 ceramic dogs for the exhibition that will run from Dec. 13 through July 26, 2026.

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japanese Princess Hisako looks at ceramic dogs she donated to the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum in Seto in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Dec. 12, 2025. The princess donated over 200 ceramic dogs for the exhibition that will run from Dec. 13 through July 26, 2026.

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japanese Princess Hisako looks at ceramic dogs she donated to the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum in Seto in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Dec. 12, 2025. The princess donated over 200 ceramic dogs for the exhibition that will run from Dec. 13 through July 26, 2026.

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japanese Princess Hisako speaks at a ceremony on Dec. 12, 2025, marking the start the following day of a ceramics exhibition at the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum in Seto in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan. Over 200 ceramic dogs donated by the princess are on display at the exhibition that runs through July 26, 2026.

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japanese Princess Hisako speaks at a ceremony on Dec. 12, 2025, marking the start the following day of a ceramics exhibition at the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum in Seto in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan. Over 200 ceramic dogs donated by the princess are on display at the exhibition that runs through July 26, 2026.

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japanese Princess Hisako looks at ceramic dogs she donated to the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum in Seto in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Dec. 12, 2025. The princess donated over 200 ceramic dogs for the exhibition that will run from Dec. 13 through July 26, 2026.

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japanese Princess Hisako looks at ceramic dogs she donated to the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum in Seto in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Dec. 12, 2025. The princess donated over 200 ceramic dogs for the exhibition that will run from Dec. 13 through July 26, 2026.

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

The annual Geminid meteor shower peaks over Cape Toi in Kushima, Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, in the early hours of Dec. 15, 2025, with shooting stars lighting up the night sky.

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

The annual Geminid meteor shower peaks over Cape Toi in Kushima, Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 14, 2025, with shooting stars lighting up the night sky.

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

The annual Geminid meteor shower peaks over Cape Toi in Kushima, Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 14, 2025, with shooting stars lighting up the night sky.

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

The annual Geminid meteor shower peaks over Cape Toi in Kushima, Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 14, 2025, with shooting stars lighting up the night sky.

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

The annual Geminid meteor shower peaks over Cape Toi in Kushima, Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 14, 2025, with shooting stars lighting up the night sky.

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

Composite photo shows shooting stars lighting up the night sky over Minamiboso, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 14, 2025, as the annual Geminid meteor shower peaks.

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

Composite photo shows shooting stars lighting up the night sky over Cape Toi in Kushima, Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 14, 2025, as the annual Geminid meteor shower peaks.

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the night sky over Minamiboso, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 14, 2025, as the annual Geminid meteor shower peaks.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

A morning market is sparsely attended on Dec. 14, 2025, at a port in Hachinohe, an Aomori Prefecture city hit by a magnitude-7.5 earthquake on Dec. 8, after the weather agency warned of the possibility of a quake of similar or larger magnitude striking the region within the next several days.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

A morning market is sparsely attended on Dec. 14, 2025, at a port in Hachinohe, an Aomori Prefecture city hit by a magnitude-7.5 earthquake on Dec. 8, after the weather agency warned of the possibility of a quake of similar or larger magnitude striking the region within the next several days.

Breaking: World championships

Breaking: World championships

Japan's Ayumi Fukushima performs en route to winning silver in the women's category at the breaking world championships in Kurume in Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025.

Breaking: World championships

Breaking: World championships

Japan's Hiroto Ono performs en route to winning bronze in the men's category at the breaking world championships in Kurume in Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025.

Breaking: World championships

Breaking: World championships

Japan's Shigeyuki Nakarai (C) poses after winning gold in the men's category at the breaking world championships in Kurume in Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025, alongside compatriots Isshin Hishikawa (L) and Hiroto Ono, who won silver and bronze, respectively.

Breaking: World championships

Breaking: World championships

Japan's Isshin Hishikawa performs en route to winning silver in the men's category at the breaking world championships in Kurume in Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025.

Breaking: World championships

Breaking: World championships

Japan's Shigeyuki Nakarai performs en route to winning the men's final at the breaking world championships in Kurume in Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025.

Funeral for cat stationmaster

Funeral for cat stationmaster

A funeral for cat stationmaster Nitama is held at Wakayama Electric Railway's Kishi Station in Kinokawa in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025, following the cat's death in November at age 15.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

A morning market is sparsely attended on Dec. 14, 2025, in Hachinohe, an Aomori Prefecture city hit by a magnitude-7.5 earthquake on Dec. 8, after the weather agency warned of the possibility of a quake of similar or larger magnitude striking the region within the next several days.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

A morning market is sparsely attended on Dec. 14, 2025, in Hachinohe, an Aomori Prefecture city hit by a magnitude-7.5 earthquake on Dec. 8, after the weather agency warned of the possibility of a quake of similar or larger magnitude striking the region within the next several days.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

A morning market is sparsely attended on Dec. 14, 2025, in Hachinohe, an Aomori Prefecture city hit by a magnitude-7.5 earthquake on Dec. 8, after the weather agency warned of the possibility of a quake of similar or larger magnitude striking the region within the next several days.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

A morning market is sparsely attended on Dec. 14, 2025, in Hachinohe, an Aomori Prefecture city hit by a magnitude-7.5 earthquake on Dec. 8, after the weather agency warned of the possibility of a quake of similar or larger magnitude striking the region within the next several days.

Japan: Earthquake Strikes Aomori, Tsunami Advisory Issued for Coastal Areas 4

A strong earthquake struck Aomori and other parts of northern Japan on Friday, December 12. According to the USGS, the magnitude was 6.7. The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami advisory for the Pacific coast of Aomori Prefecture, Iwate Prefecture, the central Pacific coastal areas of Hokkaido, and Miyagi Prefecture.

Japan: M4.9 Quake Strikes Southern Ibaraki, Tremors Felt in Tokyo

An earthquake jolted the greater Tokyo area on Friday, December 12. It struck around 7:05 p.m., with the epicenter in southern Ibaraki Prefecture and an estimated magnitude of 4.9.

U.S. military parachute drill

U.S. military parachute drill

U.S. Air Force personnel conduct a parachute drill at Kadena air base in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, on Dec. 12, 2025.