New Japan-Taiwan ferry service

New Japan-Taiwan ferry service

A passenger ferry is docked at Keelung on May 28, 2026, ahead of the inauguration later in the day of its regular service between the northern Taiwanese city and Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan.

Japan: Clever Crows Use Passing Truck to Crack Open Walnut on Road

A crow in Japan dropped a walnut onto a road on May 22, waited for a passing truck to crush it, then flew down with another crow to eat the cracked shell — a striking display of problem-solving behavior.

JR East to start self-driving bus service

JR East to start self-driving bus service

A bus driver takes his hands off the wheel during a media demonstration of self-driving operations in Tome, Miyagi Prefecture, on May 28, 2026, ahead of commercial services starting the following day. JR East will operate self-driving buses every Friday and Saturday through July 4 on a 15.5-kilometer route in the northeastern Japan city.

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

HAYAMA, Japan, May 20 Kyodo - Former Japanese Emperor Akihito and former Empress Michiko take a walk around an imperial villa in Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo) (Kyodo)

Premium melons from Hokkaido

SAPPORO, Japan, May 22 Kyodo - A pair of Yubari melons produced in Yubari in Hokkaido fetches a record price of 5.8 million yen ($36,470) at the season's first auction in Sapporo, the capital of northern Japan prefecture, on May 22, 2026. (Kyodo)

Renovated Dazaifu Temmangu shrine main hall

DAZAIFU, Japan, May 19 Kyodo - Video taken on May 18, 2026, shows the main hall of Dazaifu Temmangu shrine in Dazaifu in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Fukuoka, unveiled to the media following the first full-scale renovation in 124 years. (Kyodo)

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

CHITA, Japan, May 25 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on May 25, 2026, shows the Idemitsu Maru, an oil tanker operated by a unit of major Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan Co., off Chita, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, following its arrival earlier in the day after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in late April. It is the first oil tanker to arrive in Japan having passed through the strait since the Iran war erupted and left traffic through the vital energy route heavily restricted. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

GOTEMBA, Japan, May 20 Kyodo - The U.S. military conducts an artillery drill using a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Higashifuji training site near Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on May 20, 2026. (Kyodo)

Victims' kin commemorate 1991 train accident in western Japan

KOKA, Japan, May 14 Kyodo - Bereaved family members attend a memorial service in Koka in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on May 14, 2026, the 35th anniversary of a local train collision that killed 42 passengers and staff. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Wildfire in Hiroshima Pref.

FUKUYAMA, Japan, May 19 Kyodo -Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a helicopter engaging in firefighting operations in Fukuyama in Hiroshima Prefecture, western Japan, on May 18, 2026. The fire, which broke out the previous day, was later put under control. (Kyodo)

Rehabilitation of injured racing horses

Rehabilitation of injured racing horses

An injured racehorse swims in a pool at a rehabilitation center in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Iwaki, northeastern Japan, on May 27, 2026, the pool's opening day for the year.

Rehabilitation of injured racing horses

Rehabilitation of injured racing horses

An injured racehorse swims in a pool at a rehabilitation center in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Iwaki, northeastern Japan, on May 27, 2026, the pool's opening day for the year.

Rehabilitation of injured racing horses

Rehabilitation of injured racing horses

An injured racehorse swims in a pool at a rehabilitation center in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Iwaki, northeastern Japan, on May 27, 2026, the pool's opening day for the year.

Rehabilitation of injured racing horses

Rehabilitation of injured racing horses

An injured racehorse swims in a pool at a rehabilitation center in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Iwaki, northeastern Japan, on May 27, 2026, the pool's opening day for the year.

Rehabilitation of injured racing horses

Rehabilitation of injured racing horses

An injured racehorse swims in a pool at a rehabilitation center in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Iwaki, northeastern Japan, on May 27, 2026, the pool's opening day for the year.

Japan: Rare Red Tide Sweeps Suruga Bay Beaches for First Time in Years

Red tide has been washing ashore along multiple coastlines of Suruga Bay in Shizuoka Prefecture since May 20, in what is believed to be the bay's largest such occurrence in over a decade. The unusual bloom has left tourists puzzled at beaches across the Izu Peninsula, where the reddish-brown discoloration has spread across the shoreline.

U.S. military parachute drill in Okinawa

U.S. military parachute drill in Okinawa

U.S. Air Force personnel conduct a parachute drill at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, on May 27, 2026.

U.S. military parachute drill in Okinawa

U.S. military parachute drill in Okinawa

U.S. Air Force personnel conduct a parachute drill at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, on May 27, 2026.

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

Photo taken from Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on May 25, 2026, shows the Idemitsu Maru, an oil tanker operated by a unit of major Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan Co., following its arrival earlier in the day after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in late April. It is the first oil tanker to arrive in Japan having passed through the strait since the Iran war erupted and left traffic through the vital energy route heavily restricted.

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

Photo taken from Tahara in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, shows the Idemitsu Maru (R), an oil tanker operated by a unit of major Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan Co., sailing toward Ise Bay on May 25, 2026, after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in late April. It is the first oil tanker to arrive in Japan having passed through the strait since the Iran war erupted and left traffic through the vital energy route heavily restricted.

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

Photo taken from Tahara in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, shows the Idemitsu Maru, an oil tanker operated by a unit of major Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan Co., sailing toward Ise Bay on May 25, 2026, after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in late April. It is the first oil tanker to arrive in Japan having passed through the strait since the Iran war erupted and left traffic through the vital energy route heavily restricted.

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on May 25, 2026, shows the Idemitsu Maru, an oil tanker operated by a unit of major Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan Co., off Chita, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, following its arrival earlier in the day after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in late April. It is the first oil tanker to arrive in Japan having passed through the strait since the Iran war erupted and left traffic through the vital energy route heavily restricted.

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on May 25, 2026, shows the Idemitsu Maru, an oil tanker operated by a unit of major Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan Co., off Chita, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, following its arrival earlier in the day after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in late April. It is the first oil tanker to arrive in Japan having passed through the strait since the Iran war erupted and left traffic through the vital energy route heavily restricted.

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on May 25, 2026, shows the Idemitsu Maru, an oil tanker operated by a unit of major Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan Co., off Chita, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, following its arrival earlier in the day after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in late April. It is the first oil tanker to arrive in Japan having passed through the strait since the Iran war erupted and left traffic through the vital energy route heavily restricted.

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

1st oil tanker to arrive in Japan passing Hormuz since Iran war

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on May 25, 2026, shows the Idemitsu Maru, an oil tanker operated by a unit of major Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan Co., off Chita, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, following its arrival earlier in the day after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in late April. It is the first oil tanker to arrive in Japan having passed through the strait since the Iran war erupted and left traffic through the vital energy route heavily restricted.

First arrival to Japan of oil tanker passing Hormuz since Iran war

First arrival to Japan of oil tanker passing Hormuz since Iran war

Photo taken from Tahara in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, shows the Idemitsu Maru, an oil tanker operated by a unit of major Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan Co., arriving in Ise Bay on May 25, 2026, after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in late April. It is the first oil tanker to arrive in Japan through the strait since the Iran war erupted and left traffic through the vital energy route heavily restricted.

First arrival to Japan of oil tanker passing Hormuz since Iran war

First arrival to Japan of oil tanker passing Hormuz since Iran war

Photo taken from Tahara in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, shows the Idemitsu Maru, an oil tanker operated by a unit of major Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan Co., arriving in Ise Bay on May 25, 2026, after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in late April. It is the first oil tanker to arrive in Japan through the strait since the Iran war erupted and left traffic through the vital energy route heavily restricted.

Japan: Horse Breaks Loose at Traditional Soma Nomaoi Festival in Fukushima, Injuring Six 3

Six people were injured after a horse ran wild at the Soma Nomaoi traditional festival in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture on Sunday, May 24. The incident occurred during an armored horseback race when a rider fell from his horse, causing the animal to bolt off the course and collide with spectators near the ticket booth. Around 40,000 people were in attendance at the Hibarigahara festival grounds. The horse was later secured near the venue.

Japan: Horse Breaks Loose at Traditional Soma Nomaoi Festival in Fukushima, Injuring Six

Six people were injured after a horse ran wild at the Soma Nomaoi traditional festival in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture on Sunday, May 24. The incident occurred during an armored horseback race when a rider fell from his horse, causing the animal to bolt off the course and collide with spectators near the ticket booth. Around 40,000 people were in attendance at the Hibarigahara festival grounds. The horse was later secured near the venue.

Japan: Horse Breaks Loose at Traditional Soma Nomaoi Festival in Fukushima, Injuring Six 2

Six people were injured after a horse ran wild at the Soma Nomaoi traditional festival in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture on Sunday, May 24. The incident occurred during an armored horseback race when a rider fell from his horse, causing the animal to bolt off the course and collide with spectators near the ticket booth. Around 40,000 people were in attendance at the Hibarigahara festival grounds. The horse was later secured near the venue.

Japan: Red Tide Turns Sea Surface Crimson off Aichi Coast

A rare red tide was confirmed off the coast of Aichi Prefecture on Friday, May 22, caused by a bloom of bioluminescent plankton known as Noctiluca, or sea sparkle. While the red tide turned the sea surface crimson during the day, the same plankton lit up the shoreline in glowing blue at night.

Japan: Noctiluca Lights Up Aichi Coastline in Glowing Blue After Red Tide

A rare red tide was confirmed off the coast of Aichi Prefecture on Friday, May 22, caused by a bloom of bioluminescent plankton known as Noctiluca, or sea sparkle. While the red tide turned the sea surface crimson during the day, the same plankton lit up the shoreline in glowing blue at night.

Premium melons from Hokkaido

Premium melons from Hokkaido

Premium melons produced in Yubari in Hokkaido are displayed for the season's first auction at a wholesale market in Sapporo, the capital of northern Japan prefecture, on May 22, 2026.

Premium melons from Hokkaido

Premium melons from Hokkaido

A pair of Yubari melons produced in Yubari in Hokkaido fetches a record price of 5.8 million yen ($36,470) at the season's first auction in Sapporo, the capital of northern Japan prefecture, on May 22, 2026.

Glowing mushrooms in western Japan

Glowing mushrooms in western Japan

A Mycena lux-coeli mushroom emits a greenish glow in woods in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 4, 2026.

Glowing mushrooms in western Japan

Glowing mushrooms in western Japan

Mycena lux-coeli mushrooms emit a greenish glow in woods in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 4, 2026.

Glowing mushrooms in western Japan

Glowing mushrooms in western Japan

Mycena lux-coeli mushrooms emit a greenish glow in woods in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 4, 2026.

Samurai float parade in central Japan

Samurai float parade in central Japan

A procession of floats representing samurai warriors parade through Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, during the traditional "Mikuni" festival, which dates back 300 years, on May 20, 2025.

Samurai float parade in central Japan

Samurai float parade in central Japan

A procession of floats representing samurai warriors parade through Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, during the traditional "Mikuni" festival, which dates back 300 years, on May 20, 2025.

Samurai float parade in central Japan

Samurai float parade in central Japan

A procession of floats representing samurai warriors parade through Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, during the traditional "Mikuni" festival, which dates back 300 years, on May 20, 2025.

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

People rally in Susono in Shizuoka Prefecture on May 20, 2026, in protest over a U.S. military artillery drill being conducted using a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Higashifuji training site near Mt. Fuji in the central Japan prefecture.

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

The U.S. military conducts an artillery drill using a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Higashifuji training site near Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on May 20, 2026.

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

The U.S. military conducts an artillery drill using a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Higashifuji training site near Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on May 20, 2026.

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

The U.S. military conducts an artillery drill using a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Higashifuji training site near Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on May 20, 2026.

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

U.S. military HIMARS firing drill near Mt. Fuji

The U.S. military conducts an artillery drill using a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Higashifuji training site near Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on May 20, 2026.

Season's 1st bluefin tuna haul in Tottori

Season's 1st bluefin tuna haul in Tottori

The season's first haul of bluefin tuna are landed at a port in Sakaiminato in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on May 20, 2026.

Season's 1st bluefin tuna haul in Tottori

Season's 1st bluefin tuna haul in Tottori

Bluefin tuna are lined up for auction following this season's first haul at a port in Sakaiminato in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on May 20, 2026.

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito (L) and former Empress Michiko (C) chat with people while taking a walk around an imperial villa in Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo)

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito and former Empress Michiko take a walk around an imperial villa in Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo)

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Ex-Emperor Akihito stays at imperial villa in Hayama

Former Japanese Emperor Akihito (C) and former Empress Michiko take a walk around an imperial villa in Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 19, 2026. The couple will stay at the villa through May 26. (Pool photo)