Chichibu Night Festival in eastern Japan

Chichibu Night Festival in eastern Japan

Fireworks glitter above decorated floats during Chichibu Night Festival in Chichibu in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 3, 2025.

Chichibu Night Festival in eastern Japan

Chichibu Night Festival in eastern Japan

Fireworks glitter above decorated floats during Chichibu Night Festival in Chichibu in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 3, 2025.

Chichibu Night Festival in eastern Japan

Chichibu Night Festival in eastern Japan

Fireworks glitter above decorated floats during Chichibu Night Festival in Chichibu in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 3, 2025.

Chichibu Night Festival in eastern Japan

Chichibu Night Festival in eastern Japan

Fireworks glitter above decorated floats during Chichibu Night Festival in Chichibu in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 3, 2025.

Baseball: Marines vs. Lions

Baseball: Marines vs. Lions

Wu Nien-ting of the Seibu Lions hits a solo home run in the fourth inning of a Pacific League baseball game against the Lotte Marines at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Sept. 6, 2022. Marines pitcher Ayumu Ishikawa surrendered three straight home runs to Tomoya Mori, Hotaka Yamakawa and Wu during the inning.

Japan: Nationwide Protests Erupt Against Immigration Policies, Counter-Protests Reported 4

Protests against the government's immigration policies, including the expansion of foreign worker acceptance and the provision of welfare to foreigners, were held in over 15 cities across Japan on Sunday, October 26. The largest gathering, which drew over 1,000 people, according to X posts, took place in Osaka, with active protests also reported in Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Nagoya. In several areas, demonstrators faced counter-protesters.

2 nursing home residents killed near Tokyo

2 nursing home residents killed near Tokyo

Police officers block a street near a nursing home in Tsurugashima, Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Oct. 15, 2025, after two female residents were found bleeding and later pronounced dead. Police took a former male employee of the facility into custody later in the day.

2 nursing home residents killed near Tokyo

2 nursing home residents killed near Tokyo

Police officers block a street near a nursing home in Tsurugashima, Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Oct. 15, 2025, after two female residents were found bleeding and later pronounced dead. Police took a former male employee of the facility into custody later in the day.

2 nursing home residents killed near Tokyo

2 nursing home residents killed near Tokyo

Police officers search for clues in the vicinity of a nursing home in Tsurugashima, Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Oct. 15, 2025, after two female residents were found bleeding and later pronounced dead. Police took a former male employee of the facility into custody later in the day.

2 nursing home residents killed near Tokyo

2 nursing home residents killed near Tokyo

Police officers search for clues in the vicinity of a nursing home in Tsurugashima, Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Oct. 15, 2025, after two female residents were found bleeding and later pronounced dead. Police took a former male employee of the facility into custody later in the day.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks players celebrate after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks players celebrate after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks players celebrate after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks players celebrate after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo is tossed in the air by his players after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo is tossed in the air by his players after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo is tossed in the air by his players after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo is tossed in the air by his players after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

Baseball: Hawks clinch Pacific League title

SoftBank Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo is tossed in the air by his players after the baseball team won the Pacific League pennant for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 victory over the Seibu Lions at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 27, 2025.

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

SAITAMA, Japan, Sept. 1 Kyodo - Firefighters conduct a disaster drill at a park in Saitama near Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2025, the 102nd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Police officers, Self-Defense Force members and medical staff as well as firefighters from four prefectures and five cities in the Tokyo metropolitan area were mobilized for the joint drill as authorities warn that a megaquake has a 70 percent probability of hitting the Tokyo area within the next 30 years. (Kyodo)

Turkish Kurds in Japan seek refugee status

Turkish Kurds in Japan seek refugee status

SAITAMA, Japan, Aug. 29 Kyodo - Turkish Kurds living in Japan hold a press conference on April 18, 2021, in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, where the largest Kurdish community in Japan resides, asking the Japanese government for refugee status as they hold signs that read "Help." (Kyodo)

Map of Japanese cities with large Kurdish populations

Map of Japanese cities with large Kurdish populations

SAITAMA, Japan, Aug. 29 Kyodo - Map shows the location of the neighboring cities of Kawaguchi and Warabi in Saitama Prefecture, north of Tokyo, where most Turkish Kurds in Japan live. (Kyodo)

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Firefighters conduct a disaster drill at a park in Saitama near Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2025, the 102nd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Police officers, Self-Defense Force members and medical staff as well as firefighters from four prefectures and five cities in the Tokyo metropolitan area were mobilized for the joint drill as authorities warn that a megaquake has a 70 percent probability of hitting the Tokyo area within the next 30 years.

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Firefighters conduct a disaster drill at a park in Saitama near Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2025, the 102nd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Police officers, Self-Defense Force members and medical staff as well as firefighters from four prefectures and five cities in the Tokyo metropolitan area were mobilized for the joint drill as authorities warn that a megaquake has a 70 percent probability of hitting the Tokyo area within the next 30 years.

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (2nd from R) inspects a cross-prefecture disaster drill at a park in Saitama near Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2025, the 102nd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Police officers, Self-Defense Force members and medical staff as well as firefighters from four prefectures and five cities in the Tokyo metropolitan area were mobilized for the joint drill as authorities warn that a megaquake has a 70 percent probability of hitting the Tokyo area within the next 30 years.

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during the closing ceremony of a cross-prefecture disaster drill at a park in Saitama near Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2025, the 102nd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Police officers, Self-Defense Force members and medical staff as well as firefighters from four prefectures and five cities in the Tokyo metropolitan area were mobilized for the joint drill as authorities warn that a megaquake has a 70 percent probability of hitting the Tokyo area within the next 30 years.

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Firefighters conduct a disaster drill at a park in Saitama near Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2025, the 102nd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Police officers, Self-Defense Force members and medical staff as well as firefighters from four prefectures and five cities in the Tokyo metropolitan area were mobilized for the joint drill as authorities warn that a megaquake has a 70 percent probability of hitting the Tokyo area within the next 30 years.

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

A cross-prefecture disaster drill is conducted at a park in Saitama near Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2025, the 102nd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Police officers, Self-Defense Force members and medical staff as well as firefighters from four prefectures and five cities in the Tokyo metropolitan area were mobilized for the joint drill as authorities warn that a megaquake has a 70 percent probability of hitting the Tokyo area within the next 30 years.

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Firefighters conduct a disaster drill at a park in Saitama near Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2025, the 102nd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Police officers, Self-Defense Force members and medical staff as well as firefighters from four prefectures and five cities in the Tokyo metropolitan area were mobilized for the joint drill as authorities warn that a megaquake has a 70 percent probability of hitting the Tokyo area within the next 30 years.

Japan: Evening Storms Bring Heavy Rain, Lightning and Hail to Kanto Region

On August 27, the Kanto region experienced another day of clear skies and rising temperatures, with central Tokyo marking its 10th consecutive extreme heat day, setting a new record for consecutive days of severe heat. In the evening, due to moist air and other factors, localized rain clouds developed, bringing lightning, hail, and sudden heavy downpours. A tornado advisory was issued for Tokyo and Saitama Prefecture.

[Breaking News]Sewer inspection accident near Tokyo

GYODA, Japan, Aug. 2 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows firefighters conducting rescue operations in Gyoda, Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Aug. 2, 2025, after four workers fell into a manhole. (Kyodo)

Summer heat in Japan

Summer heat in Japan

People walk under the scorching sun in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Aug. 5, 2025.

Sewer inspection accident near Tokyo

Sewer inspection accident near Tokyo

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows firefighters conducting rescue operations in Gyoda, Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Aug. 2, 2025, after four workers fell into a manhole.

Sewer inspection accident near Tokyo

Sewer inspection accident near Tokyo

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows firefighters conducting rescue operations in Gyoda, Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Aug. 2, 2025, after four workers fell into a manhole.

Sewer inspection accident near Tokyo

Sewer inspection accident near Tokyo

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows firefighters conducting rescue operations in Gyoda, Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Aug. 2, 2025, after four workers fell into a manhole.

Sewer inspection accident near Tokyo

Sewer inspection accident near Tokyo

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows firefighters conducting rescue operations in Gyoda, Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Aug. 2, 2025, after four workers fell into a manhole.

Emperor visits shrine in Saitama Pref.

Emperor visits shrine in Saitama Pref.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R) stands in front of a float to be used for Chichibu Night Festival during a visit to Chichibu Shrine in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on May 25, 2025. (Pool photo)

Emperor visits shrine in Saitama Pref.

Emperor visits shrine in Saitama Pref.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R) stands in front of floats to be used for Chichibu Night Festival during a visit to Chichibu Shrine in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on May 25, 2025. (Pool photo)

Emperor attends tree-planting ceremony in Saitama Pref.

Emperor attends tree-planting ceremony in Saitama Pref.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito speaks during a tree-planting ceremony at a flower park in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on May 25, 2025.

Emperor attends tree-planting ceremony in Saitama Pref.

Emperor attends tree-planting ceremony in Saitama Pref.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito attends a tree-planting ceremony at a flower park in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on May 25, 2025. (Pool photo)

Emperor attends tree-planting ceremony in Saitama Pref.

Emperor attends tree-planting ceremony in Saitama Pref.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito attends a tree-planting ceremony at a flower park in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on May 25, 2025. (Pool photo)

Emperor attends tree-planting ceremony in Saitama Pref.

Emperor attends tree-planting ceremony in Saitama Pref.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito attends a tree-planting ceremony at a flower park in Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on May 25, 2025. (Pool photo)

Emperor visits Saitama Prefecture

Emperor visits Saitama Prefecture

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (L) visits a special school for intellectually disabled children during a visit to Iruma, Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on May 24, 2025, for a tree-planting ceremony the following day. (Pool photo)

Emperor visits Saitama Prefecture

Emperor visits Saitama Prefecture

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (L) visits a special school for intellectually disabled children during a visit to Iruma, Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on May 24, 2025, for a tree-planting ceremony the following day. (Pool photo)

Emperor visits Saitama Prefecture

Emperor visits Saitama Prefecture

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (far L) visits a special school for intellectually disabled children during a visit to Iruma, Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on May 24, 2025, for a tree-planting ceremony the following day. (Pool photo)

Emperor visits Saitama Prefecture

Emperor visits Saitama Prefecture

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (L) visits a special school for intellectually disabled children during a visit to Iruma, Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on May 24, 2025, for a tree-planting ceremony the following day. (Pool photo)

Emperor visits Saitama Prefecture

Emperor visits Saitama Prefecture

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (3rd from L) inspects a tea plantation during a visit to Iruma, Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on May 24, 2025, for a tree-planting ceremony the following day.

Emperor visits Saitama Prefecture

Emperor visits Saitama Prefecture

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (front, L) inspects a tea plantation during a visit to Iruma, Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on May 24, 2025, for a tree-planting ceremony the following day.

Emperor visits Saitama Prefecture

Emperor visits Saitama Prefecture

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (front, L) inspects a tea plantation during a visit to Iruma, Saitama Prefecture, eastern Japan, on May 24, 2025, for a tree-planting ceremony the following day.

Massive sinkhole in Saitama

YASHIO, Japan, May 2 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on May 2, 2025, shows the site where a sinkhole opened up in Yashio in Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, about three months ago, swallowing a truck and its driver. Following massive search operations, a body believed to be the driver's was recovered the same day. (Kyodo)