Buddhist temple ritual in honor of Kukai

Buddhist temple ritual in honor of Kukai

Monks parade during a ritual at Buddhist Shingon-sect Kongobuji temple in Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 7, 2026, in honor of the achievements by the sect's founder Kukai (774-835), posthumously known as Kobo Daishi.

Return rush of Golden Week travelers in Japan

Return rush of Golden Week travelers in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Tokyo-bound lanes on the Tomei Expressway packed with vehicles near the Ebina service area in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on the night of May 6, 2026, the final day of the Golden Week holidays.

Return rush of Golden Week travelers in Japan

Return rush of Golden Week travelers in Japan

The arrival lobby for international flights at Kansai airport in Osaka Prefecture is crowded with travelers on May 6, 2026, the final day of the Golden Week holidays.

Return rush of Golden Week travelers in Japan

Return rush of Golden Week travelers in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Tokyo-bound lanes on the Tomei Expressway packed with vehicles near the Ebina service area in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on the night of May 6, 2026, the final day of the Golden Week holidays.

Return rush of Golden Week travelers in Japan

Return rush of Golden Week travelers in Japan

The arrival lobby for international flights at Kansai airport in Osaka Prefecture is crowded with travelers on May 6, 2026, the final day of the Golden Week holidays.

Return rush of Golden Week travelers in Japan

Return rush of Golden Week travelers in Japan

The arrival lobby for international flights at Kansai airport in Osaka Prefecture is crowded with travelers on May 6, 2026, the final day of the Golden Week holidays.

Lexus unveils all-electric TZ sport utility vehicle

Lexus unveils all-electric TZ sport utility vehicle

Lexus unveils TZ all-electric luxurious sport utility vehicle in world premiere, featuring lounge-like three-row cabin and driving range of up to 620 kilometers, at Toyota Motor Corp.'s Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama in the Aichi Prefecture city of Toyota, central Japan, on May 7, 2026.

Lexus unveils all-electric TZ sport utility vehicle

Lexus unveils all-electric TZ sport utility vehicle

Lexus unveils TZ all-electric luxurious sport utility vehicle in world premiere, featuring lounge-like three-row cabin and driving range of up to 620 kilometers, at Toyota Motor Corp.'s Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama in the Aichi Prefecture city of Toyota, central Japan, on May 7, 2026.

Lexus unveils all-electric TZ sport utility vehicle

Lexus unveils all-electric TZ sport utility vehicle

Lexus unveils TZ all-electric luxurious sport utility vehicle in world premiere, featuring lounge-like three-row cabin and driving range of up to 620 kilometers, at Toyota Motor Corp.'s Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama in the Aichi Prefecture city of Toyota, central Japan, on May 7, 2026.

Lexus unveils all-electric TZ sport utility vehicle

Lexus unveils all-electric TZ sport utility vehicle

Lexus unveils TZ all-electric luxurious sport utility vehicle in world premiere, featuring lounge-like three-row cabin and driving range of up to 620 kilometers, at Toyota Motor Corp.'s Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama in the Aichi Prefecture city of Toyota, central Japan, on May 7, 2026.

Japan: Bear Spotted at Golf Course in Fukushima

A wild bear was spotted at a golf course in Fukushima Prefecture on Sunday, May 3.

Traditional dragon boat race in Okinawa

Traditional dragon boat race in Okinawa

Traditional marine event Naha Hari is held in Naha in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa on May 5, 2026, with three dragon boats taking part in a 600-meter race.

Traditional dragon boat race in Okinawa

Traditional dragon boat race in Okinawa

Traditional marine event Naha Hari is held in Naha in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa on May 5, 2026, with three dragon boats taking part in a 600-meter race.

Traditional dragon boat race in Okinawa

Traditional dragon boat race in Okinawa

Traditional marine event Naha Hari is held in Naha in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa on May 5, 2026, with three dragon boats taking part in a 600-meter race.

Traditional dragon boat race in Okinawa

Traditional dragon boat race in Okinawa

Traditional marine event Naha Hari is held in Naha in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa on May 5, 2026, with three dragon boats taking part in a 600-meter race.

Samurai festival in Wakayama Pref.

Samurai festival in Wakayama Pref.

People in samurai warrior outfits take part in a parade in Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 5, 2026, during a festival in honor of three 16th-17th century Sanada-clan warriors.

Samurai festival in Wakayama Pref.

Samurai festival in Wakayama Pref.

People in samurai warrior outfits hold a gun demonstration in Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 5, 2026, during a festival in honor of three 16th-17th century Sanada-clan warriors.

Samurai festival in Wakayama Pref.

Samurai festival in Wakayama Pref.

People in samurai warrior outfits hold a gun demonstration in Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 5, 2026, during a festival in honor of three 16th-17th century Sanada-clan warriors.

Tanker with Russian crude oil arrives in Japan

Tanker with Russian crude oil arrives in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a tanker carrying crude oil from the Russian Far East of Sakhalin arriving in waters off Imabari in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, on May 4, 2026, marking the first procurement of Russian oil by Japan since the Iran war began in late February.

Tanker with Russian crude oil arrives in Japan

Tanker with Russian crude oil arrives in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a tanker carrying crude oil from the Russian Far East of Sakhalin arriving in waters off Imabari in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, on May 4, 2026, marking the first procurement of Russian oil by Japan since the Iran war began in late February.

Tanker with Russian crude oil arrives in Japan

Tanker with Russian crude oil arrives in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a tanker carrying crude oil from the Russian Far East of Sakhalin arriving in waters off Imabari in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, on May 4, 2026, marking the first procurement of Russian oil by Japan since the Iran war began in late February.

Huge carp streamer in eastern Japan

Huge carp streamer in eastern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a carp streamer, about 100 meters long and weighing around 330 kilograms, flying over the Tone River in the Saitama Prefecture city of Kazo, eastern Japan, on May 3, 2026, ahead of Children's Day on May 5.

Huge carp streamer in eastern Japan

Huge carp streamer in eastern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a carp streamer, about 100 meters long and weighing around 330 kilograms, flying over the Tone River in the Saitama Prefecture city of Kazo, eastern Japan, on May 3, 2026, ahead of Children's Day on May 5.

Huge carp streamer in eastern Japan

Huge carp streamer in eastern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a carp streamer, about 100 meters long and weighing around 330 kilograms, flying over the Tone River in the Saitama Prefecture city of Kazo, eastern Japan, on May 3, 2026, ahead of Children's Day on May 5.

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, opens to the general public on May 3, 2026, during a U.S.-Japan friendship day event.

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, opens to the general public on May 3, 2026, during a U.S.-Japan friendship day event.

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, opens to the general public on May 3, 2026, during a U.S.-Japan friendship day event.

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, opens to the general public on May 3, 2026, during a U.S.-Japan friendship day event.

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, opens to the general public on May 3, 2026, during a U.S.-Japan friendship day event.

Japanese imperial family at Tochigi farm

Japanese imperial family at Tochigi farm

Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their only daughter, Princess Aiko, arrive at the Imperial Stock Farm in Tochigi Prefecture, eastern Japan, on May 1, 2026, for a weeklong stay. (Pool photo)

Japanese imperial family at Tochigi farm

Japanese imperial family at Tochigi farm

Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their only daughter, Princess Aiko, arrive at the Imperial Stock Farm in Tochigi Prefecture, eastern Japan, on May 1, 2026, for a weeklong stay. (Pool photo)

Japan: Severe Weather Strikes Western Region, Triggers Hail and Heavy Rainfall

A strong cold air mass destabilized the atmosphere across western Japan, Tokai, and Hokuriku, on Friday, May 1, triggering heavy rain, thunder, and hail, with further sudden weather changes expected.

Japan: Flood Warnings Issued for Northern Ibaraki as Heavy Rain Hits

The meteorological agency issued flood and heavy rain warnings for Japan's northern Ibaraki cities, including Kitaibaraki, Hitachi, and Takahagi, on Friday, May 1, urging residents to remain alert to flooding and rising rivers.

Minamata marks 70th anniv. of mercury-poisoning disease

Minamata marks 70th anniv. of mercury-poisoning disease

Japanese Environment Minister Hirotaka Ishihara delivers a speech at a memorial service for the victims of Minamata disease in Minamata, Kumamoto prefecture, southwestern Japan, on May 1, 2026, the 70th anniversary of Japan's official recognition of the mercury-poisoning disease caused by industrial pollution.

Minamata marks 70th anniv. of mercury-poisoning disease

Minamata marks 70th anniv. of mercury-poisoning disease

Japanese Environment Minister Hirotaka Ishihara (2nd from R) meets with members of a Minamata disease suffers group in Minamata, Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan, on May 1, 2026, the 70th anniversary of Japan's official recognition of the mercury-poisoning disease caused by industrial pollution. (Pool photo)

Blue carnation shipments ready

Blue carnation shipments ready

Eight varieties of rare blue carnations with different shapes and shades, airlifted from Columbia and Ecuador, are prepared for shipment at a wholesaler company in Shibayama in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on May 1, 2026, ahead of Mother's Day on May 10. The carnation named Moondust was developed by the horticulture arm of major Japanese whiskey maker Suntory using gene engineering, with sales starting in 1997.

Blue carnation shipments ready

Blue carnation shipments ready

Eight varieties of rare blue carnations with different shapes and shades, airlifted from Columbia and Ecuador, are prepared for shipment at a wholesaler company in Shibayama in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on May 1, 2026, ahead of Mother's Day on May 10. The carnation named Moondust was developed by the horticulture arm of major Japanese whiskey maker Suntory using gene engineering, with sales starting in 1997.

Blue carnation shipments ready

Blue carnation shipments ready

Preparations to ship rare blue carnations, airlifted from Columbia and Ecuador, are underway at a wholesaler company in Shibayama in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on May 1, 2026, ahead of Mother's Day on May 10. The carnation named Moondust was developed by the horticulture arm of major Japanese whiskey maker Suntory using gene engineering, with sales starting in 1997.

Blue carnation shipments ready

Blue carnation shipments ready

Preparations to ship rare blue carnations, airlifted from Columbia and Ecuador, are underway at a wholesaler company in Shibayama in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on May 1, 2026, ahead of Mother's Day on May 10. The carnation named Moondust was developed by the horticulture arm of major Japanese whiskey maker Suntory using gene engineering, with sales starting in 1997.

Tennis: Kei Nishikori

Tennis: Kei Nishikori

A woman holds copies of an extra edition of a newspaper handed out in Matsue in Shimane Prefecture, western Japan, after Japanese tennis icon and former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori, who hails from the town, said on social media he will retire at the end of the season.

Tennis: Kei Nishikori

Tennis: Kei Nishikori

A woman holds copies of an extra edition of a newspaper handed out in Matsue in Shimane Prefecture, western Japan, after Japanese tennis icon and former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori, who hails from the town, said on social media he will retire at the end of the season.

ASIMO's predecessor given IEEE Milestones award

ASIMO's predecessor given IEEE Milestones award

Honda Motor Co.'s P2 humanoid robot, the predecessor to its ASIMO robot, is displayed during a ceremony in Wako in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on April 28, 2026, after the U.S.-based Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers gave it the Milestones award for its pioneering natural walking technology. The award is given to important historical technological achievements that were made at least 25 years earlier, with Honda's P2 released in 1996.

Tulips at central Japan park

Tulips at central Japan park

Tulips are seen in bloom at a park in Tonami in the central Japan prefecture of Toyama on April 28, 2026.

Tulips at central Japan park

Tulips at central Japan park

Tulips are seen in bloom at a park in Tonami in the central Japan prefecture of Toyama on April 28, 2026.

[Breaking News]Wildfires in northeastern Japan

OTSUCHI, Japan, April 24 Kyodo - Smoke blankets mountainous areas of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on April 24, 2026, as wildfires continue following its outbreak at two locations in the northeastern Japan town two days before. (Kyodo)

Azaleas in full bloom near Fukushima plant

Azaleas in full bloom near Fukushima plant

Azaleas are seen in full bloom at JR Yonomori Station in Tomioka, a Fukushima Prefecture town near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, on April 28, 2026. Plants at the JR Joban Line station started to bloom several years ago, even though the shrubs were cut down at the stump in the winter of 2017 when the area was decontaminated.

Azaleas in full bloom near Fukushima plant

Azaleas in full bloom near Fukushima plant

Azaleas are seen in full bloom at JR Yonomori Station in Tomioka, a Fukushima Prefecture town near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, on April 28, 2026. Plants at the JR Joban Line station started to bloom several years ago, even though the shrubs were cut down at the stump in the winter of 2017 when the area was decontaminated.

Azaleas in full bloom near Fukushima plant

Azaleas in full bloom near Fukushima plant

Azaleas are seen in full bloom at JR Yonomori Station in Tomioka, a Fukushima Prefecture town near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, on April 28, 2026. Plants at the JR Joban Line station started to bloom several years ago, even though the shrubs were cut down at the stump in the winter of 2017 when the area was decontaminated.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

Firefighting operations continue at the sites of wildfires in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on April 28, 2026, following outbreaks in two districts in the northeastern Japan town six days earlier.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

A helicopter flies for firefighting operations in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on April 28, 2026, as wildfires continue following outbreaks in two districts in the northeastern Japan town six days earlier.