Japan crown prince at high school sports event in Shiga

Japan crown prince at high school sports event in Shiga

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko watch a women's weightlifting event at the national inter high school athletic competition in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026.

Japan crown prince at high school sports event in Shiga

Japan crown prince at high school sports event in Shiga

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito (far L) and Crown Princess Kiko (2nd from L) watch a women's weightlifting event at the national inter high school athletic competition in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026.

Japan crown prince visits Shiga

Japan crown prince visits Shiga

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko visit a traditional folding fan workshop in Takashima in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan crown prince visits Shiga

Japan crown prince visits Shiga

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko visit a traditional folding fan workshop in Takashima in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan crown prince visits Shiga

Japan crown prince visits Shiga

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko visit a traditional folding fan workshop in Takashima in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan crown prince visits Shiga

Japan crown prince visits Shiga

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko visit a traditional folding fan workshop in Takashima in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan crown prince visits Shiga

Japan crown prince visits Shiga

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko visit a traditional folding fan workshop in Takashima in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Pool photo)

2025 World Athletics Championships - Day 4 - Tokyo

2025 World Athletics Championships - Day 4 - Tokyo

(250916) -- TOKYO, September 16, 2025 Photo by Xinhua) -- Takashima Maoko of Japan competes during the women's triple jump qualification at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, September 16, 2025. Photo by Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai/ABACAPRESS.COM

DC: President Biden Awards the Medal of Honor

DC: President Biden Awards the Medal of Honor

President Joe Biden presents Gary Takashima the Medal of Honor posthumously awarded to his uncle Private First Class Wataru Nakamura during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on January 3, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM)

DC: President Biden Awards the Medal of Honor

DC: President Biden Awards the Medal of Honor

President Joe Biden presents Gary Takashima the Medal of Honor posthumously awarded to his uncle Private First Class Wataru Nakamura during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on January 3, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM)

Japanese violinist Takashima named goodwill ambassador to Laos

Japanese violinist Takashima named goodwill ambassador to Laos

Japanese violinist Chisako Takashima reacts after receiving a letter from Foreign Minister Tsuyoshi Iwaya appointing her as goodwill ambassador to Laos in 2025, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, at the ministry in Tokyo on Dec. 24, 2024.

Japanese violinist Takashima named goodwill ambassador to Laos

Japanese violinist Takashima named goodwill ambassador to Laos

Japanese violinist Chisako Takashima (R) receives a letter from Foreign Minister Tsuyoshi Iwaya appointing her as goodwill ambassador to Laos in 2025, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, at the ministry in Tokyo on Dec. 24, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese women's fencing team sabre bronze medalists (from L) Risa Takashima, Seri Ozaki and Shihomi Fukushima pose for a photo with their medals at the Paris Olympics Champions Park at the Trocadero in the French capital on Aug. 5, 2024.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese fencers (from L) Misaki Emura, Seri Ozaki, Shihomi Fukushima and Risa Takashima celebrate after beating France in the women's sabre team bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 3, 2024, at the Grand Palais in Paris.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese fencers (from L) Misaki Emura, Shihomi Fukushima, Seri Ozaki and Risa Takashima celebrate after winning bronze in the women's sabre team event at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 3, 2024, at the Grand Palais in Paris.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese fencers (from L) Shihomi Fukushima, Risa Takashima, Seri Ozaki and Misaki Emura pose during the medal ceremony after winning bronze in the women's sabre team event at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 3, 2024, at the Grand Palais in Paris.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese fencers (from L) Misaki Emura, Seri Ozaki, Shihomi Fukushima and Risa Takashima celebrate after beating France in the women's sabre team bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 3, 2024, at the Grand Palais in Paris.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese fencers (from L) Misaki Emura, Seri Ozaki, Risa Takashima and Shihomi Fukushima celebrate after winning bronze in the women's sabre team event at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 3, 2024, at the Grand Palais in Paris.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese fencer Risa Takashima (R) competes against France's Manon Apithy-Brunet in the women's sabre team bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 3, 2024, at the Grand Palais in Paris.

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Paris Olympics: Fencing

Japanese fencers (from L) Shihomi Fukushima, Misaki Emura, Seri Ozaki and Risa Takashima prepare to face France in the women's sabre team bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 3, 2024, at the Grand Palais in Paris.

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-FENCING

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-FENCING

(240803) -- PARIS, Aug. 3, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Takashima Risa (R) of Japan compete against Manon Apithy-Brunet of France during the women's sabre team bronze medal match of fencing between France and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Fei Maohua)

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-FENCING

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-FENCING

(240803) -- PARIS, Aug. 3, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Takashima Risa (R) of Japan and Sara Balzer of France react during the women's sabre team bronze medal match of fencing between France and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Fei Maohua)

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-FENCING

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-FENCING

(240803) -- PARIS, Aug. 3, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Takashima Risa (R) of Japan and Manon Apithy-Brunet of France react during the women's sabre team bronze medal match of fencing between France and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Fei Maohua)

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-FENCING

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-FENCING

(240803) -- PARIS, Aug. 3, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Takashima Risa (R) of Japan compete against Sarah Noutcha of France during the women's sabre team bronze medal match of fencing between France and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Fei Maohua)

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-FENCING

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-FENCING

(240803) -- PARIS, Aug. 3, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Sarah Noutcha (L) of France competes against Takashima Risa of Japan during the women's sabre team bronze medal match of fencing between France and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Zhang Hongxiang)

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-FENCING

(PARIS2024) FRANCE-PARIS-OLY-FENCING

(240803) -- PARIS, Aug. 3, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Takashima Risa (R) of Japan competes against Manon Apithy-Brunet of France in the women's sabre team bronze medal match of fencing between France and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Zhang Hongxiang)

Big-scaled redfin

TAKASHIMA, Japan, April 3 Kyodo - Big-scaled redfin swim to spawning grounds up a river leading to Lake Biwa in Takashima in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on April 3, 2024. (Kyodo)

[Breaking news] Big-scaled redfin

TAKASHIMA, Japan, April 1 Kyodo - Big-scaled redfin swim to spawning grounds up a river leading to Lake Biwa in Takashima in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on April 1, 2024. (Kyodo)

Big-scaled redfin

Big-scaled redfin

Big-scaled redfin swim to spawning grounds up a river leading to Lake Biwa in Takashima in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on April 1, 2024.

Big-scaled redfin

Big-scaled redfin

Big-scaled redfin swim to spawning grounds up a river leading to Lake Biwa in Takashima in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on April 1, 2024.

(SP)CHINA-JIANGSU-CHANGZHOU-HOCKEY-WOMEN-SONY HC VS MALAYSIA (CN)

(SP)CHINA-JIANGSU-CHANGZHOU-HOCKEY-WOMEN-SONY HC VS MALAYSIA (CN)

(230421) -- CHANGZHOU, April 21, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Takashima Rui of Sony HC competes during the 4th round match between Sony HC and Malaysia at the Two Lakes Innovation Cup 1st Women's Hockey International Invitational Tournament in Changzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 21, 2023. (Photo by Shi Kang/Xinhua)

Joint counterterrorism drill of GSDF and Indian Army

Joint counterterrorism drill of GSDF and Indian Army

A soldier in the Indian Army takes part in a joint counterterrorism exercise with Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force at the Aibano Training Area in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, on Feb. 28, 2023.

Joint counterterrorism drill of GSDF and Indian Army

Joint counterterrorism drill of GSDF and Indian Army

Members of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force and the Indian Army jointly carry out an counterterrorism exercise at the Aibano Training Area in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, on Feb. 28, 2023.

Joint counterterrorism drill of GSDF and Indian Army

Joint counterterrorism drill of GSDF and Indian Army

Members of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force and the Indian Army jointly carry out an counterterrorism exercise at the Aibano Training Area in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, on Feb. 28, 2023.

Joint counterterrorism drill of GSDF and Indian Army

Joint counterterrorism drill of GSDF and Indian Army

Members of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force and the Indian Army jointly carry out an counterterrorism exercise at the Aibano Training Area in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, on Feb. 28, 2023.

'Green curtain' movement in vogue to save energy

'Green curtain' movement in vogue to save energy

TOKUSHIMA, Japan - Students at municipal Takashima No. 5 Elementary School in Tokyo's Itabashi Ward assemble at a flower bed to look after cucumbers and gourd-shaped loofahs.

Fukuoka governor OKs airport privatization

Fukuoka governor OKs airport privatization

FUKUOKA, Japan - Fukuoka Gov. Hiroshi Ogawa (C) expresses agreement with the proposed privatization of the central government-owned Fukuoka Airport in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, before the prefectural assembly's ad hoc committee on Nov. 20, 2014. Fukuoka Mayor Soichiro Takashima also has voiced his readiness to support the idea.

Sweden selects Fukuoka as base camp for 2020 Olympics

Sweden selects Fukuoka as base camp for 2020 Olympics

FUKUOKA, Japan - Swedish Olympic Committee President Stefan Lindeberg (C), Fukuoka Gov. Hiroshi Ogawa (2nd from L) and Fukuoka Mayor Soichiro Takashima (2nd from R) pose in Fukuoka on Oct. 8, 2014, after signing a basic accord on the committee's selection of the southwestern Japanese city for a base camp of the country's delegation to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

U.S. insurance firm moves some HQ functions to Fukuoka

U.S. insurance firm moves some HQ functions to Fukuoka

FUKUOKA, Japan - Mitsuru Imoto (C), president of MassMutual Life Insurance Co., poses with Gov. Hiroshi Ogawa (2nd from L) of Fukuoka Prefecture and Fukuoka Mayor Soichiro Takashima in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on June 26, 2014, at a press conference to announce a plan to move some headquarters functions of the U.S. firm's Japanese subsidiary from Tokyo in August as part of disaster preparedness.

Seven & i to forge capital, business alliance with Francfranc operator

Seven & i to forge capital, business alliance with Francfranc operator

TOKYO, Japan - Noritoshi Murata (R), president and chief operating officer of Seven & I Holdings Co., and Fumio Takashima, president of BALS Corp., operator of the Francfranc store chain, shake hands during a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 25, 2013, at which they announced that the two companies will conclude a capital and business alliance.

Osprey in joint drill

Osprey in joint drill

TAKASHIMA, Japan - An MV-22 Osprey aircraft of the U.S. Marine Corps is used in a U.S.-Japan joint exercise at the Aibano Training Area in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture, on Oct. 16, 2013.

Osprey in joint drill

Osprey in joint drill

TAKASHIMA, Japan - An MV-22 Osprey aircraft of the U.S. Marine Corps is used in a U.S.-Japan joint exercise at the Aibano Training Area in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture, on Oct. 16, 2013.

Osprey heads to drill

Osprey heads to drill

OSAKA, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter over Takashima, Shiga Prefecture, on Oct. 16, 2013, shows an MV-22 Osprey aircraft of the U.S. Marine Corps heading to a U.S.-Japan joint exercise at the Aibano Training Area in the western Japan prefecture.

Osprey heads to drill

Osprey heads to drill

OSAKA, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter over Takashima, Shiga Prefecture, on Oct. 16, 2013, shows an MV-22 Osprey aircraft of the U.S. Marine Corps heading to a U.S.-Japan joint exercise at the Aibano Training Area in the western Japan prefecture. Seen in back is Lake Biwa.

Osprey heads to drill

Osprey heads to drill

OSAKA, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter over Takashima, Shiga Prefecture, on Oct. 16, 2013, shows an MV-22 Osprey aircraft of the U.S. Marine Corps heading to a U.S.-Japan joint exercise at the Aibano Training Area in the western Japan prefecture.

Osprey heads to drill

Osprey heads to drill

OSAKA, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter over Takashima, Shiga Prefecture, on Oct. 16, 2013, shows an MV-22 Osprey aircraft of the U.S. Marine Corps heading to a U.S.-Japan joint exercise at the Aibano Training Area in the western Japan prefecture. Seen in back is Lake Biwa.

Japan-U.S. joint drill

Japan-U.S. joint drill

OTSU, Japan - A ceremony is held to mark the start of a joint exercise of the U.S. Marine Corps and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force at the Aibano Training Area in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture, on Oct. 8, 2013.

Japan-U.S. joint drill

Japan-U.S. joint drill

OTSU, Japan - A ceremony is held to mark the start of a joint exercise of the U.S. Marine Corps and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force at the Aibano Training Area in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture, on Oct. 8, 2013.

Japan on alert over N. Korean missile threat

Japan on alert over N. Korean missile threat

OSAKA, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile interceptor on April 10, 2013, deployed at the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's Aibano base in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture. Japan is on high alert, expecting North Korea to launch missiles.

Japan on alert over N. Korean missile threat

Japan on alert over N. Korean missile threat

OSAKA, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile interceptors on April 10, 2013, deployed at the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's Aibano base in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture. Japan is on high alert, expecting North Korea to launch missiles.