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Largest Supermoon of Year Lights Up Night Sky

On November 5, the largest full moon of the year, or supermoon, illuminated the night sky.

New MSDF ocean research ship

A new Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force auxiliary oceanographic research ship is pictured after its launch ceremony at a shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. in Shimonoseki in the western Japan prefecture of Yamaguchi on May 29, 2025. The ship, Akashi, will be deployed at the MSDF's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture in eastern Japan around March 2026.

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New MSDF ocean research ship

A new Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force auxiliary oceanographic research ship is pictured during its launch ceremony at a shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. in Shimonoseki in the western Japan prefecture of Yamaguchi on May 29, 2025. The ship, Akashi, will be deployed at the MSDF's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture in eastern Japan around March 2026.

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Over 4,000 cups of cooked puffer fish served

A total of 4,432 cups of fugu cooked in a 3.5-meter hot pot is served to visitors during a festival in Shimonoseki in the western Japan prefecture of Yamaguchi on May 3, 2025, recognized by Guinness World Records as the most cups of the puffer fish served.

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Whaling factory ship departs for Sea of Okhotsk

The Kangei Maru, the world's only whaling factory ship, departs from its home port in Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, on April 21, 2025, for the season's first commercial whale hunt, in the Sea of Okhotsk.

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Whaling factory ship departs for Sea of Okhotsk

The Kangei Maru, the world's only whaling factory ship, prepares to depart from its home port in Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, on April 21, 2025, for the season's first commercial whale hunt, in the Sea of Okhotsk.

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Year's 1st pufferfish auction in western Japan

The year's first "fugu" pufferfish auction is held at a market in Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, in the early hours of Jan. 4, 2025.

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Year's 1st pufferfish auction in western Japan

The year's first "fugu" pufferfish auction is held at a market in Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, in the early hours of Jan. 4, 2025.

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Year's first puffer fish auction in western Japan

Fugu are sorted ahead of the season's first auction of the puffer fish at a market in Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, in the early hours of Sept. 26, 2024.

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Year's first puffer fish auction in western Japan

The season's first fugu auction is held at a market in Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, in the early hours of Sept. 26, 2024.

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Historical ship replica arrives in Shimonoseki

A replica of a ship that carried diplomatic missions from the Joseon dynasty in the Korean Peninsula to Japan during the Edo period is pictured in Shimonoseki in the western Japan prefecture of Yamaguchi on Aug. 24, 2024, as a ceremony welcoming the ship's arrival is held the same day.

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Historical ship replica arrives in Shimonoseki

A replica of a ship that carried diplomatic missions from the Joseon dynasty in the Korean Peninsula to Japan during the Edo period is pictured in Shimonoseki in the western Japan prefecture of Yamaguchi on Aug. 24, 2024, as a ceremony welcoming the ship's arrival is held the same day.

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Historical ship replica arrives in Shimonoseki

A ceremony is held to welcome the arrival of a replica of a ship that carried diplomatic missions from the Joseon dynasty in the Korean Peninsula to Japan during the Edo period, in Shimonoseki in the western Japan prefecture of Yamaguchi on Aug. 24, 2024.

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Japanese banks use AI to summarize talks

Photo taken June 3, 2024, in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, shows a smartphone displaying an app developed by Yamaguchi Financial Group, a bank holding company operating three regional banks in western and southwestern Japan. The app uses artificial intelligence to summarize interviews between bank officials and clients and generate a report.

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Japanese banks use AI to summarize talks

Photo taken June 3, 2024, in Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, shows a smartphone displaying a summary of a conversation between a bank official and a client made using an app developed by Yamaguchi Financial Group Inc., a bank holding company operating three regional banks in western and southwestern Japan. The app uses artificial intelligence to summarize client interviews and generate a report.

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New whaling factory ship

The Kangei Maru, the world's only whaling factory ship, prepares to depart from its home port in Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, on May 21, 2024, for its inaugural whaling voyage. The ship, operated by Kyodo Senpaku Co., was completed in March 2024, following the retirement of the Nisshin Maru in 2023.

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New whaling factory ship

The Kangei Maru, the world's only whaling factory ship, departs from its home port in Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, on May 21, 2024, for its inaugural whaling voyage. The ship, operated by Kyodo Senpaku Co., was completed in March 2024, following the retirement of the Nisshin Maru in 2023.

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New whaling factory ship

A priest prays during a ceremony inside the Kangei Maru, the world's only whaling factory ship, in Shimonoseki, western Japan, on March 29, 2024. The ship was completed the same day and delivered to commercial whaling operator Kyodo Senpaku Co., following the retirement of its predecessor, Nisshin Maru, in November 2023.

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New whaling factory ship

Hideki Tokoro, president of commercial whaling operator Kyodo Senpaku Co., meets the press in Shimonoseki, western Japan, on March 29, 2024, after Kangei Maru, the world's only whaling factory ship, was delivered to his company earlier in the day, following the retirement of its predecessor, Nisshin Maru, in November 2023.

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New whaling factory ship

The Kangei Maru, the world's only whaling factory ship, is seen berthed at a dock in Shimonoseki, western Japan, on March 29, 2024, following its completion earlier in the day. The ship was delivered to commercial whaling operator Kyodo Senpaku Co., following the retirement of its predecessor, Nisshin Maru, in November 2023.

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S. Korean chemical tanker capsizes off western Japan

Photo taken on March 20, 2024, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a capsized South Korean chemical tanker off the western Japan city of Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The incident involving the 870-ton Keoyoung Sun occurred earlier in the day, leaving five of 11 crew on board missing, while the conditions of the six who were rescued remain unknown.

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S. Korean chemical tanker capsizes off western Japan

Photo taken on March 20, 2024, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a helicopter operated by a Yamaguchi prefectural firefighting unit conducting a search and rescue operation as five crew members went missing after a South Korean chemical tanker capsized off the western Japan city of Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, earlier in the day.

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S. Korean chemical tanker capsizes off western Japan

Photo taken on March 20, 2024, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a Japan Coast Guard patrol boat (bottom) conducting a search and rescue operation as five crew members went missing after a South Korean chemical tanker (top) capsized off the western Japan city of Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, earlier in the day.

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PM Kishida shows off dish of tiger puffer fish sashimi

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (C) shows off a large dish of sashimi made from naturally bred tiger puffer fish at his office in Tokyo on Feb. 21, 2024, during a courtesy call from a Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture-based group dealing in the delicacy.

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Japan PM Kishida tastes tiger puffer fish

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (L) tastes sashimi made from naturally bred tiger puffer fish at his office in Tokyo on Feb. 21, 2024, along with Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, during a courtesy call from a Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture-based group dealing in the delicacy.

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Pufferfish auction in western Japan

SHIMONOSEKI, Japan, Sept. 25 Kyodo - "Fugu" pufferfish are unloaded from a basket at a market in Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, on Sept. 25, 2023, for the season's first auction. (Kyodo)

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50th anniversary of Kammon Bridge in Japan

Photo shows the Kammon Bridge connecting Kitakyushu (front) in Fukuoka Prefecture, on Japan's southwestern island of Kyushu, and Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, on the western tip of the island of Honshu, on Nov. 14, 2023, the 50th anniversary of its opening.

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50th anniversary of Kammon Bridge in Japan

Photo shows the Kammon Bridge connecting Kitakyushu (front) in Fukuoka Prefecture, on Japan's southwestern island of Kyushu, and Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, on the western tip of the island of Honshu, on Nov. 14, 2023, the 50th anniversary of its opening.

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Opening of Kammon Bridge to traffic

Photo taken on Nov. 14, 1973, shows the Kammon Bridge on its opening day. The 1,068-meter-long bridge connects Kitakyushu (front) in Fukuoka Prefecture, on Japan's southwestern island of Kyushu, and Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, on the western tip of the island of Honshu.

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Opening of Kammon Bridge to traffic

Photo taken on Nov. 14, 1973, shows the Kammon Bridge on its opening day. The 1,068-meter-long bridge connects Kitakyushu (front) in Fukuoka Prefecture, on Japan's southwestern island of Kyushu, and Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, on the western tip of the island of Honshu.

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Illumination of Kammon Bridge in Japan

The 1,068-meter Kammon Bridge connecting Shimonoseki (front) in Yamaguchi Prefecture, on the western tip of Japan's main island of Honshu, and Kitakyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture, on the southwestern main island of Kyushu, is illuminated on Nov. 12, 2023, ahead of its 50th anniversary of opening on Nov. 14.

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Illumination of Kammon Bridge in Japan

The 1,068-meter Kammon Bridge connecting Kitakyushu (L) in Fukuoka Prefecture, on the southwestern main island of Kyushu, and Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, on the western tip of Japan's main island of Honshu, is illuminated on Nov. 12, 2023, ahead of its 50th anniversary of opening on Nov. 14.

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Illumination of Kammon Bridge in Japan

The 1,068-meter Kammon Bridge connecting Shimonoseki (front) in Yamaguchi Prefecture, on the western tip of Japan's main island of Honshu, and Kitakyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture, on the southwestern main island of Kyushu, is illuminated on Nov. 12, 2023, ahead of its 50th anniversary of opening on Nov. 14.

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50th anniversary of Kanmon Bridge in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Nov. 8, 2023, shows the 1,068-meter Kanmon Bridge, connecting Kitakyushu (front) in Fukuoka Prefecture in Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan's four main islands, and Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture on the western tip of Japan's main island of Honshu, ahead of its 50th anniversary on Nov. 14.

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Opening of Kanmon Bridge to traffic

Many spectators gather to see the opening of the Kanmon Bridge to traffic on Nov. 14, 1973. The 1,068-meter bridge connects Kitakyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture in Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan's four main islands, and Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture on the western tip of Japan's main island of Honshu.

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50th anniversary of Kanmon Bridge in southwestern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Nov. 8, 2023, shows the 1,068-meter Kanmon Bridge, connecting Kitakyushu (front) in Fukuoka Prefecture in Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan's four main islands, and Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture on the western tip of Japan's main island of Honshu, ahead of its 50th anniversary on Nov. 14.

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World's only whaling factory ship retires

The Nisshin Maru, the world's only whaling factory ship, enters the port in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, on Nov. 4, 2023, for a retirement ceremony following its last operation.

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Pufferfish auction in western Japan

"Fugu" pufferfish are unloaded from a basket at a market in Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, on Sept. 25, 2023, for the season's first auction.

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Pufferfish auction in western Japan

The season's first auction of "fugu" pufferfish is held at a market in Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, in the early hours of Sept. 25, 2023.

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New whaling mother ship

A launch ceremony for the whaling mother ship Kangei Maru is held in the Yamaguchi Prefecture city of Shimonoseki, western Japan, on Aug. 31, 2023. The 112.6-meter, 9,100-ton electrically powered ship will begin operating in 2024.

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New whaling mother ship

A launch ceremony for the whaling mother ship Kangei Maru is held in the Yamaguchi Prefecture city of Shimonoseki, western Japan, on Aug. 31, 2023. The 112.6-meter, 9,100-ton electrically powered ship will begin operating in 2024.

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1st anniv. of ex-Japan PM Abe's killing

People pray at the now defunct office of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Shimonoseki, which was his Yamaguchi Prefecture constituency, on July 8, 2023, the first anniversary of his assassination.

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Ocean sunfish at western Japan aquarium

Photo taken on May 25, 2023, shows an ocean sunfish at Kaikyokan aquarium in Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan.

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Ocean sunfish at western Japan aquarium

Photo taken on May 25, 2023, shows an ocean sunfish at Kaikyokan aquarium in Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan.

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Closure of ex-Japan PM Abe's offices in his constituency

Akie Abe, widow of slain former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, helps to take down a signboard at his office in Shimonoseki, his Yamaguchi Prefecture constituency, on Dec. 28, 2022, as the office was closed the same day. Another office in Nagato, also in his constituency, was closed the previous day.

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Closure of ex-Japan PM Abe's offices in his constituency

Akie Abe (L), widow of slain former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, helps to take down a signboard at his office in Shimonoseki, his Yamaguchi Prefecture constituency, on Dec. 28, 2022, as the office was closed the same day. Another office in Nagato, also in his constituency, was closed the previous day.

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Factory ship of Japanese whaling fleet returns home

SHIMONOSEKI, Japan - The factory ship Nisshin Maru of the Japanese whaling fleet anchors at Shimonoseki Port in Yamaguchi Prefecture on April 14 after returning from the Antarctic Ocean. The fleet's five other vessels involved in what the Japanese government claims is scientific research had already returned to Shimonoseki as of April 13.

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3 Japanese whaling vessels return home from Antarctic Ocean

SHIMONOSEKI, Japan - Japan Coast Guard personnel check the Japanese whaling vessel Yushin Maru No. 3 to determine the extent of damage sustained in a collision with a Sea Shepherd vessel in February in the Antarctic Ocean, after the ship returned to Shimonoseki Port in Yamaguchi Prefecture on April 13. The Yushin Maru No. 3 and two other ships returned after completing their whale hunt for what the Japanese government calls scientific-research purposes.

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3 Japanese whaling vessels return home from Antarctic Ocean

SHIMONOSEKI, Japan - Japanese whaling vessel Yushin Maru No. 3 anchored at Shimonoseki Port in Yamaguchi Prefecture on April 13 after it, along with two other whaling vessels, returned after completing their whale hunt for what the Japanese government calls scientific-research purposes. The vessel's stern was damaged in a collision with a Sea Shepherd Conservation Society vessel in the Antarctic Ocean.

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Japan fleet leaves for whale stock survey in Antarctic

SHIMONOSEKI, Japan - The Yushin Maru, a ship of Japan's Fisheries Agency, departs from the western Japanese port of Shimonoseki on Jan. 8, 2015, for the Antarctic Ocean to conduct a survey of whale stocks in place of an annual whaling mission that the International Court of Justice ordered the country to stop in 2014.