Haruki Murakami's latest book in bookstore

TOKYO, Japan, July 3 Kyodo - Renowned Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami's new novel "The Tale of KAHO" hits the shelves at a bookstore in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 3, 2026, upon its midnight release. (Kyodo)

Haruki Murakami's latest book in bookstore

Haruki Murakami's latest book in bookstore

Renowned Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami's new novel "The Tale of KAHO" hits the shelves at a bookstore in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 3, 2026, upon its midnight release.

Haruki Murakami's latest book in bookstore

Haruki Murakami's latest book in bookstore

Renowned Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami's new novel "The Tale of KAHO" hits the shelves at a bookstore in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 3, 2026, upon its midnight release.

Japan PM Takaichi off to India

Japan PM Takaichi off to India

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi waves at Tokyo's Haneda airport on July 1, 2026, before making a three-day trip to India for a summit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Japan PM Takaichi off to India

Japan PM Takaichi off to India

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) boards a government plane at Tokyo's Haneda airport on July 1, 2026, to make a three-day trip to India for a summit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan supporters gather around a television on a street in Tokyo's Shibuya area in the small hours of June 30, 2026, to watch a World Cup round of 32 football match between Japan and Brazil in Houston.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan supporters gather around a television on a street in Tokyo's Shibuya area in the small hours of June 30, 2026, to watch a World Cup round of 32 football match between Japan and Brazil in Houston.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan supporters celebrate on a street in Tokyo's Shibuya area in the small hours of June 30, 2026, after Japan's Kaishu Sano scored the opening goal in the first half of a World Cup round of 32 football match against Brazil in Houston.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan supporters celebrate on a street in Tokyo's Shibuya area in the small hours of June 30, 2026, after Japan's Kaishu Sano scored the opening goal in the first half of a World Cup round of 32 football match against Brazil in Houston.

Emperor, empress return home

Emperor, empress return home

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (back, 2nd from L) and Empress Masako (behind him) are greeted by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front, R) upon arrival at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 26, 2026, following their official trip to the Netherlands and Belgium. (Pool photo)

Emperor, empress return home

Emperor, empress return home

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (front, L) and Empress Masako (behind him) are greeted by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front, R) upon arrival at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 26, 2026, following their official trip to the Netherlands and Belgium. (Pool photo)

Emperor, empress return home

Emperor, empress return home

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (front, L) and Empress Masako are greeted upon arrival at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 26, 2026, following their official trip to the Netherlands and Belgium. Standing behind them is Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. (Pool photo)

Emperor, empress return home

Emperor, empress return home

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko (C) wave with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi as a government plane carrying Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrives at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 26, 2026, following their official trip to the Netherlands and Belgium.

Emperor, empress return home

Emperor, empress return home

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko (C) wave with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi as a government plane carrying Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrives at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 26, 2026, following their official trip to the Netherlands and Belgium.

Emperor, empress return home

Emperor, empress return home

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrive at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 26, 2026, following their official trip to the Netherlands and Belgium.

Emperor, empress return home

Emperor, empress return home

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrive at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 26, 2026, following their official trip to the Netherlands and Belgium.

World Cup 2026 – Japan: Shibuya Scramble Crossing Packed With Fans After 4-0 Victory Over Tunisia 2

Crowds of supporters flooded Tokyo's Shibuya Scramble Crossing on Sunday, June 21, celebrating Japan's 4-0 FIFA World Cup Group Stage victory over Tunisia.

World Cup 2026 – Japan: Shibuya Scramble Crossing Packed With Fans After 4-0 Victory Over Tunisia

Crowds of supporters flooded Tokyo's Shibuya Scramble Crossing on Sunday, June 21, celebrating Japan's 4-0 FIFA World Cup Group Stage victory over Tunisia.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Police officers control traffic at the famous scramble crossing in Tokyo's Shibuya area on June 21, 2026, as Japan supporters celebrate following Samurai Blue's victory in a World Cup Group F football match against Tunisia in Mexico.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan supporters celebrate at the famous scramble crossing in Tokyo's Shibuya area on June 21, 2026, following Samurai Blue's victory in a World Cup Group F football match against Tunisia in Mexico.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan supporters celebrate at the famous scramble crossing in Tokyo's Shibuya area on June 21, 2026, following Samurai Blue's victory in a World Cup Group F football match against Tunisia in Mexico.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan supporters celebrate at the famous scramble crossing in Tokyo's Shibuya area on June 21, 2026, following Samurai Blue's victory in a World Cup Group F football match against Tunisia in Mexico.

[Breaking News]JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

Fukuoka, Japan, June 11 Kyodo - Video taken at Fukuoka airport on June 10, 2026, shows the "Dream Sho Jet" passenger plane, adorned with an image of Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani, before it made its final flight to Tokyo's Haneda airport. (Kyodo)

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi departs from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for her first trip to Europe since taking office in October. Takaichi will visit Britain and Italy before attending a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains.

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi departs from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for her first trip to Europe since taking office in October. Takaichi will visit Britain and Italy before attending a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains.

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi departs from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for her first trip to Europe since taking office in October. Takaichi will visit Britain and Italy before attending a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains.

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi departs from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for her first trip to Europe since taking office in October. Takaichi will visit Britain and Italy before attending a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains.

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi departs from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for her first trip to Europe since taking office in October. Takaichi will visit Britain and Italy before attending a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains.

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako depart from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for a trip to the Netherlands and Belgium.

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako depart from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for a trip to the Netherlands and Belgium.

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako depart from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for a trip to the Netherlands and Belgium.

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako depart from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for a trip to the Netherlands and Belgium.

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako depart from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for a trip to the Netherlands and Belgium.

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (3rd from R) and Empress Masako are greeted by Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, ahead of their departure for a trip to the Netherlands and Belgium.

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (L, front) and Empress Masako (R) walk at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, before their departure for a trip to the Netherlands and Belgium.

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (C) and Empress Masako are greeted by Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, ahead of their departure for a trip to the Netherlands and Belgium.

JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

Photo taken at Fukuoka airport on June 10, 2026, shows the "Dream Sho Jet" passenger plane, adorned with an image of Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani, before it made its final flight to Tokyo's Haneda airport.

JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

Photo taken at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 10, 2026, shows the "Dream Sho Jet" passenger plane, adorned with an image of Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani, after making its final flight from Fukuoka airport.

JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

Photo taken at Fukuoka airport on June 10, 2026, shows the "Dream Sho Jet" passenger plane, adorned with an image of Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani, before it made its final flight to Tokyo's Haneda airport.

JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

Photo taken at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 10, 2026, shows the "Dream Sho Jet" passenger plane, adorned with an image of Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani, after making its final flight from Fukuoka airport.

JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

Photo taken at Fukuoka airport on June 10, 2026, shows the "Dream Sho Jet" passenger plane, adorned with an image of Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani, before it made its final flight to Tokyo's Haneda airport.

JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

Photo taken at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 10, 2026, shows the "Dream Sho Jet" passenger plane, adorned with an image of Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani, after making its final flight from Fukuoka airport.

Beef bowl store opens in department store in Ginza

Beef bowl store opens in department store in Ginza

Matsuya PREMIUM, a new takeout-only store by beef bowl chain Matsuya Foods Co., opens on the basement floor of Matsuya Ginza department store in Tokyo's Ginza district on June 10, 2026. The store, the first for the restaurant chain in a department store, offers seven luxury items including a 1,390 yen ($8.7) beef bowl using premium Kobe beef.

Beef bowl store opens in department store in Ginza

Beef bowl store opens in department store in Ginza

Matsuya PREMIUM, a new takeout-only store by beef bowl chain Matsuya Foods Co., opens on the basement floor of Matsuya Ginza department store in Tokyo's Ginza district on June 10, 2026. The store, the first for the restaurant chain in a department store, offers seven luxury items including a 1,390 yen ($8.7) beef bowl using premium Kobe beef.

Beef bowl store opens in department store in Ginza

Beef bowl store opens in department store in Ginza

Matsuya PREMIUM, a new takeout-only store by beef bowl chain Matsuya Foods Co., opens on the basement floor of Matsuya Ginza department store in Tokyo's Ginza district on June 10, 2026. The store, the first for the restaurant chain in a department store, offers seven luxury items including a 1,390 yen ($8.7) beef bowl using premium Kobe beef.

Beef bowl store opens in department store in Ginza

Beef bowl store opens in department store in Ginza

Photo shows a 1,390 yen ($8.7) beef bowl using premium Kobe beef, available at Matsuya PREMIUM, a new takeout-only store by beef bowl chain Matsuya Foods Co., opening on June 10, 2026, on the basement floor of Matsuya Ginza department store in Tokyo's Ginza district. The store, the first for the restaurant chain in a department store, offers seven luxury items.

Beef bowl store opens in department store in Ginza

Beef bowl store opens in department store in Ginza

Photo shows a 1,390 yen ($8.7) beef bowl using premium Kobe beef, available at Matsuya PREMIUM, a new takeout-only store by beef bowl chain Matsuya Foods Co., opening on June 10, 2026, on the basement floor of Matsuya Ginza department store in Tokyo's Ginza district. The store, the first for the restaurant chain in a department store, offers seven luxury items.

Beef bowl store opens in department store in Ginza

Beef bowl store opens in department store in Ginza

Staff members pose for a photo on June 10, 2026, at the opening of Matsuya PREMIUM, a new takeout-only store by beef bowl chain Matsuya Foods Co., located on the basement floor of Matsuya Ginza department store in Tokyo's Ginza district. The store, the first for the restaurant chain in a department store, offers seven luxury items including a 1,390 yen ($8.7) beef bowl using premium Kobe beef.

Malaysian PM Anwar in Japan

Malaysian PM Anwar in Japan

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim makes a speech on the development of AI at the University of Tokyo's Hongo campus in Tokyo on June 9, 2026.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers are pictured at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 9, 2026, before departing for Paris for a June 13-14 tournament. About 130 wrestlers and others will take part in the Japan Sumo Association's event, third in Paris after 1986 and 1995.