Japanese ex-abductee Soga

Japanese ex-abductee Soga

Hitomi Soga, a 67-year-old Japanese woman who was abducted by North Korea in 1978 and repatriated in 2002, speaks during a seminar for teachers in Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, on Aug. 7, 2026.

Japanese ex-abductee Soga

Japanese ex-abductee Soga

Hitomi Soga, a 67-year-old Japanese woman who was abducted by North Korea in 1978 and repatriated in 2002, speaks during a seminar for teachers in Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, on Aug. 7, 2026.

Japanese ex-abductee Soga

Japanese ex-abductee Soga

Hitomi Soga, a 67-year-old Japanese woman who was abducted by North Korea in 1978 and repatriated in 2002, speaks during a seminar for teachers in Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, on Aug. 7, 2026.

Japan spent record 6.28 tril. yen in forex intervention on April 30

Japan spent record 6.28 tril. yen in forex intervention on April 30

A currency trading chart on a financial data monitor in Tokyo pictured on May 1, 2026, shows the dollar plunging against the Japanese yen after Japanese authorities' dollar-selling, yen-buying intervention on April 30. Japan spent a single-day record of 6.28 trillion yen in the intervention to strengthen the yen.

Junior high school student meeting on abductions by N. Korea

Junior high school student meeting on abductions by N. Korea

Junior high school students from across Japan participate in a government-sponsored meeting in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2026, aimed at raising public awareness, especially among young people, of North Korea's abduction of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s. (Kyodo)

Junior high school student meeting on abductions by N. Korea

Junior high school student meeting on abductions by N. Korea

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara speaks to junior high school students from across Japan during a government-sponsored meeting in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2026, aimed at enhancing public awareness, especially among young people, of North Korea's abduction of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s.

Junior high school student meeting on abductions by N. Korea

Junior high school student meeting on abductions by N. Korea

Junior high school students from across Japan participate in a government-sponsored meeting in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2026, aimed at raising public awareness, especially among young people, of North Korea's abduction of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s.

Junior high school student meeting on abductions by N. Korea

Junior high school student meeting on abductions by N. Korea

Junior high school students from across Japan participate in a government-sponsored meeting in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2026, aimed at raising public awareness, especially among young people, of North Korea's abduction of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s.

Junior high school student meeting on abductions by N. Korea

Junior high school student meeting on abductions by N. Korea

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara speaks to junior high school students from across Japan during a government-sponsored meeting in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2026, aimed at enhancing public awareness, especially among young people, of North Korea's abduction of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s.

Junior high school student meeting on abductions by N. Korea

Junior high school student meeting on abductions by N. Korea

Takuya Yokota, head of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea, speaks to junior high school students from across Japan during a government-sponsored meeting in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2026, aimed at raising public awareness, especially among young people, of the abduction issue. Yokota is a younger brother of Megumi Yokota, who was abducted by North Korea in 1977 at the age of 13.

U.S.-based indoor vertical farming startup opens Japan facility

U.S.-based indoor vertical farming startup opens Japan facility

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike (C) attends an opening ceremony of a research and development facility of Oishii Farm Corp., a U.S.-based startup that operates indoor vertical strawberry farms, in Hamura in western Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026.

U.S.-based indoor vertical farming startup opens Japan facility

U.S.-based indoor vertical farming startup opens Japan facility

Robotic arms pick strawberries at a cultivation room of a research and development facility of Oishii Farm Corp., a U.S.-based startup that operates indoor vertical strawberry farms, in Hamura in western Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026.

U.S.-based indoor vertical farming startup opens Japan facility

U.S.-based indoor vertical farming startup opens Japan facility

Robotic arms pick strawberries at a cultivation room of a research and development facility of Oishii Farm Corp., a U.S.-based startup that operates indoor vertical strawberry farms, in Hamura in western Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026.

U.S.-based indoor vertical farming startup opens Japan facility

U.S.-based indoor vertical farming startup opens Japan facility

Hiroki Koga (C), co-founder and CEO of Oishii Farm Corp., a U.S.-based startup that operates indoor vertical strawberry farms, attends an opening ceremony of its research and development facility in Hamura in western Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026, alongside Japanese farm minister Norikazu Suzuki (L) and Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a 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 Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a 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 Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a 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 Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a 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 Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a 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 Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a 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 Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a 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 Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a 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.

[Breaking News]Japan, U.S. intervene in currency market to strengthen yen

TOKYO, Japan, Aug. 3 Kyodo - Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama speaks to reporters at the Finance Ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 3, 2026, commenting on a coordinated yen-buying intervention by Japan and the United States in the currency market to strengthen the Japanese currency. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Football: J-League kickoff event

TOKYO, Japan, Aug. 4 Kyodo - Players from J-League football teams pose for a photo at an event in Tokyo on Aug. 3, 2026, ahead of the start of the new season on Aug. 7. The J-League switched to an August-to-June season from the conventional February-to-December schedule, corresponding with the schedule of major European leagues. (Kyodo)

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is pictured ahead of an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a 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 Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is pictured ahead of an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a 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 Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is pictured ahead of an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a 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 Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) and her ministers are pictured ahead of an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a 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.

Golf: Women's British Open winner Kuwaki

Golf: Women's British Open winner Kuwaki

Shiho Kuwaki poses with the Japan National Press Club guestbook in which she wrote a Japanese character meaning "shine" during a press conference in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. Kuwaki won the Women's British Open golf tournament on Aug. 2 in England.

Golf: Women's British Open winner Kuwaki

Golf: Women's British Open winner Kuwaki

Shiho Kuwaki speaks during a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026, following her victory in the Women's British Open golf tournament on Aug. 2 in England.

Golf: Women's British Open winner Kuwaki

Golf: Women's British Open winner Kuwaki

Shiho Kuwaki speaks during a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026, following her victory in the Women's British Open golf tournament on Aug. 2 in England.

U.S. treasury secretary comments on Japan's credit policy

U.S. treasury secretary comments on Japan's credit policy

Japan Business Federation head Yoshinobu Tsutsui meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026, following U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's comments taken as seeking credit tightening by Japanese monetary authorities. Bessent said in a CNBC interview the previous day he believes Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda "will do what is needed" when asked whether the BOJ's next move should be a rate hike.

U.S. Treasury Secretary comments on Japan monetary policy

U.S. Treasury Secretary comments on Japan monetary policy

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara holds a press conference in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026, following U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's comments taken as seeking credit tightening by Japanese monetary authorities. Kihara declined to comment after Bessent said in a CNBC interview the previous day he believes Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda "will do what is needed" when asked whether the BOJ's next move should be a rate hike.

U.S. Treasury Secretary comments on Japan monetary policy

U.S. Treasury Secretary comments on Japan monetary policy

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara holds a press conference in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026, following U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's comments taken as seeking credit tightening by Japanese monetary authorities. Kihara declined to comment after Bessent said in a CNBC interview the previous day he believes Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda "will do what is needed" when asked whether the BOJ's next move should be a rate hike.

U.S. treasury secretary comments on Japan's credit policy

U.S. treasury secretary comments on Japan's credit policy

Japan Business Federation head Yoshinobu Tsutsui meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026, following U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's comments taken as seeking credit tightening by Japanese monetary authorities. Bessent said in a CNBC interview the previous day he believes Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda "will do what is needed" when asked whether the BOJ's next move should be a rate hike.

U.S. Treasury Secretary comments on Japan monetary policy

U.S. Treasury Secretary comments on Japan monetary policy

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara holds a press conference in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026, following U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's comments taken as seeking credit tightening by Japanese monetary authorities. Kihara declined to comment after Bessent said in a CNBC interview the previous day he believes Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda "will do what is needed" when asked whether the BOJ's next move should be a rate hike.

Mystery author Higashino's posthumous novel

Mystery author Higashino's posthumous novel

An event commemorating the publication of mystery author Keigo Higashino's posthumous novel "Eternal Memory" ("Eien no Kioku") is held at a bookstore in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on the night of Aug. 4, 2026, ahead of its midnight release.

Mystery author Higashino's posthumous novel

Mystery author Higashino's posthumous novel

Copies of mystery author Keigo Higashino's posthumous novel "Eternal Memory" (Eien no Kioku) are piled up at a bookstore in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on the night of Aug. 4, 2026, ahead of its midnight release.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Photo taken on Aug. 4, 2026, shows a plaque to be given to 10-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi at a ceremony to confer the People's Honor Award at the prime minister's office in Tokyo later in the day. Each of the knives is engraved with her name and the award title. The four-time Olympian, 32, won two gold, four silver and four bronze medals before announcing her retirement in April.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi (R) receives a bouquet from Japanese Olympic Committee President Seiko Hashimoto in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026, after attending a ceremony at which she was conferred the People's Honor Award at the prime minister's office earlier in the day.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi (R) receives a bouquet from Japanese Olympic Committee President Seiko Hashimoto in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026, after attending a ceremony at which she was conferred the People's Honor Award at the prime minister's office earlier in the day.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Photo taken on Aug. 4, 2026, shows a commemorative set of 10 cooking knives to be given to 10-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi during a ceremony to confer the People's Honor Award at the prime minister's office in Tokyo later in the day. Each of the knives is engraved with her name and the award title, as the 32-year old won two gold, four silver and four bronze medals before announcing her retirement in April.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Photo taken on Aug. 4, 2026, shows a commemorative set of 10 cooking knives to be given to 10-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi during a ceremony to confer the People's Honor Award at the prime minister's office in Tokyo later in the day. Each of the knives is engraved with her name and the award title, as the 32-year old won two gold, four silver and four bronze medals before announcing her retirement in April.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Photo taken on Aug. 4, 2026, shows a commemorative set of 10 cooking knives to be given to 10-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi during a ceremony to confer the People's Honor Award at the prime minister's office in Tokyo later in the day. Each of the knives is engraved with her name and the award title, as the 32-year old won two gold, four silver and four bronze medals before announcing her retirement in April.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi (L) poses with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi as she receives a commemorative set of 10 cooking knives during a ceremony to confer the People's Honor Award at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026. Each of the knives is engraved with her name and the award title, as the 32-year old won two gold, four silver and four bronze medals before announcing her retirement in April.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi (L) receives a commemorative set of 10 cooking knives from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a ceremony to confer the People's Honor Award at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026. Each of the knives is engraved with her name and the award title, as the 32-year old won two gold, four silver and four bronze medals before announcing her retirement in April.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi (L) receives a commemorative set of 10 cooking knives from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a ceremony to confer the People's Honor Award at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026. Each of the knives is engraved with her name and the award title, as the 32-year old won two gold, four silver and four bronze medals before announcing her retirement in April.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi meets the press after receiving the People's Honor Award from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at a ceremony held at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi meets the press after receiving the People's Honor Award from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at a ceremony held at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi meets the press after receiving the People's Honor Award from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at a ceremony held at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026.