Japan PM Takaichi visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japan PM Takaichi visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) holds talks with Kumamoto Gov. Takashi Kimura at the Kumamoto prefectural government office on Aug. 3, 2026, during her visit to the southwestern Japan prefecture struck by a powerful earthquake on July 28. (Pool photo)

Japan PM Takaichi visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japan PM Takaichi visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets with people at an evacuation center in Hikawa in Kumamoto Prefecture on Aug. 3, 2026, after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity on July 28. (Pool photo)

Japan PM Takaichi visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japan PM Takaichi visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) meets with people at an evacuation center in Hikawa in Kumamoto Prefecture on Aug. 3, 2026, after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity on July 28. (Pool photo)

Japan PM Takaichi visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japan PM Takaichi visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) meets with people at an evacuation center in Hikawa in Kumamoto Prefecture on Aug. 3, 2026, after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity on July 28. (Pool photo)

Japan PM Takaichi visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japan PM Takaichi visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) meets with people at an evacuation center in Hikawa in Kumamoto Prefecture on Aug. 3, 2026, after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity on July 28. (Pool photo)

Japan PM Takaichi visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japan PM Takaichi visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) meets the press at the Kumamoto prefectural government office alongside Kumamoto Gov. Takashi Kimura (2nd from R) on Aug. 3, 2026, during her visit to the southwestern Japan prefecture struck by a powerful earthquake on July 28. (Pool photo)

Japan PM Takaichi visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japan PM Takaichi visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (3rd from L) holds talks with Kumamoto Gov. Takashi Kimura (2nd from R) at the Kumamoto prefectural government office on Aug. 3, 2026, during her visit to the southwestern Japan prefecture struck by a powerful earthquake on July 28. (Pool photo)

Japan PM Takaichi visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japan PM Takaichi visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) meets with people at an evacuation center in Hikawa in Kumamoto Prefecture on Aug. 3, 2026, after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity on July 28. (Pool photo)

Japan PM Takaichi visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japan PM Takaichi visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) shakes hands with people at an evacuation center in Hikawa in Kumamoto Prefecture on Aug. 3, 2026, after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity on July 28. (Pool photo)

Japan PM Takaichi visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japan PM Takaichi visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (far R) visits an evacuation center in Hikawa in Kumamoto Prefecture on Aug. 3, 2026, after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture and its vicinity on July 28. (Pool photo)

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) poses for a photo with seven junior high school students, including great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held, Japanese-claimed islands off Hokkaido, northern Japan, at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 30, 2026.

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) poses for a photo with seven junior high school students, including great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held, Japanese-claimed islands off Hokkaido, northern Japan, at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 30, 2026.

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held islands

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from R) meets with seven junior high school students, including great-grandchildren of former residents of Russian-held, Japanese-claimed islands off Hokkaido, northern Japan, at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 30, 2026.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto.

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Aftermath of strong earthquake in Kumamoto

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 29, 2026, a day after a powerful earthquake hit the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto.

Strong quake jolts southwestern Japan

Strong quake jolts southwestern Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from L) speaks during a meeting of the government anti-disaster task force in Tokyo on July 28, 2026, after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake shook the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto.

Strong quake jolts southwestern Japan

Strong quake jolts southwestern Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a meeting of the government anti-disaster task force in Tokyo on July 28, 2026, after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake shook the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto.

Strong quake jolts southwestern Japan

Strong quake jolts southwestern Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from R) speaks during a meeting of the government anti-disaster task force in Tokyo on July 28, 2026, after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake shook the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kumamoto.

Strong quake jolts southwestern Japan

Strong quake jolts southwestern Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 28, 2026, after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 shook Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

Strong quake jolts southwestern Japan

Strong quake jolts southwestern Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 28, 2026, after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 shook Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

Strong quake jolts southwestern Japan

Strong quake jolts southwestern Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 28, 2026, after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 shook Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a press conference at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 27, 2026, following the end of an extraordinary parliamentary session.

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a press conference at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 27, 2026, following the end of an extraordinary parliamentary session.

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends a press conference at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 27, 2026, following the end of an extraordinary parliamentary session.

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a press conference at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 27, 2026, following the end of an extraordinary parliamentary session.

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a press conference at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 27, 2026, following the end of an extraordinary parliamentary session.

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a press conference at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 27, 2026, following the end of an extraordinary parliamentary session. (Pool photo)

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a press conference at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 27, 2026, following the end of an extraordinary parliamentary session.

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a press conference at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 27, 2026, following the end of an extraordinary parliamentary session.

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a press conference at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 27, 2026, following the end of an extraordinary parliamentary session. (Pool photo)

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends a press conference at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 27, 2026, following the end of an extraordinary parliamentary session.

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is captured on camera during her press conference at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 27, 2026, following the end of an extraordinary parliamentary session.

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japan PM Takaichi at press conference

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a press conference at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 27, 2026, following the end of an extraordinary parliamentary session.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addresses a regular general meeting of the Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants at a hotel in Tokyo on July 22, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addresses a regular general meeting of the Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants at a hotel in Tokyo on July 22, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on July 24, 2026.

Japan-Solomon Islands summit

Japan-Solomon Islands summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (3rd from R) holds talks with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Cooper Wale (2nd from L) at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 23, 2026.

Japan-Solomon Islands summit

Japan-Solomon Islands summit

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Cooper Wale holds talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 23, 2026.

Japan-Solomon Islands summit

Japan-Solomon Islands summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) shakes hands with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Cooper Wale at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 23, 2026.

Japan-Solomon Islands summit

Japan-Solomon Islands summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) shakes hands with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Cooper Wale after presenting a football to him at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 23, 2026.