May Day gathering in Tokyo

May Day gathering in Tokyo

Tomoko Yoshino, president of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, known as Rengo, delivers a speech at a May Day gathering at Tokyo's Yoyogi Park on April 26, 2025, as Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (2nd from L) listens.

Cherry blossoms in Hokkaido

Cherry blossoms in Hokkaido

A Somei Yoshino cherry tree at a meteorological observatory in Sapporo, Hokkaido, comes into bloom on April 23, 2025.

[Breaking News]Cherry blossoms at western Japan mountain

YOSHINO, Japan, April 8 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 8, 2025, shows Mt. Yoshino covered with cherry blossoms in full bloom in Yoshino in the western Japan prefecture of Nara. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Cherry blossoms at western Japan mountain

YOSHINO, Japan, April 8 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 8, 2025, shows Mt. Yoshino covered with cherry blossoms in full bloom in Yoshino in the western Japan prefecture of Nara. (Kyodo)

Cherry blossoms at western Japan mountain

Cherry blossoms at western Japan mountain

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 8, 2025, shows Mt. Yoshino covered with cherry blossoms in full bloom in Yoshino in the western Japan prefecture of Nara.

Cherry blossoms at western Japan mountain

Cherry blossoms at western Japan mountain

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 8, 2025, shows Mt. Yoshino covered with cherry blossoms in full bloom in Yoshino in the western Japan prefecture of Nara.

Cherry blossoms at western Japan mountain

Cherry blossoms at western Japan mountain

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 8, 2025, shows Mt. Yoshino covered with cherry blossoms in full bloom in Yoshino in the western Japan prefecture of Nara.

Cherry blossoms at western Japan mountain

Cherry blossoms at western Japan mountain

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 8, 2025, shows Mt. Yoshino covered with cherry blossoms in full bloom in Yoshino in the western Japan prefecture of Nara.

Cherry blossoms at western Japan mountain

Cherry blossoms at western Japan mountain

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 8, 2025, shows Mt. Yoshino covered with cherry blossoms in full bloom in Yoshino in the western Japan prefecture of Nara.

Japan: Cherry Blossoms Reach Full Bloom Across Country 7

Cherry blossoms have begun to bloom all over Japan, and are expected to reach full bloom in many places this week. This video shows cherry blossom trees along Meguro River, one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo.

Japan: Cherry Blossoms Reach Full Bloom Across Country 6

Cherry blossoms have begun to bloom all over Japan, and are expected to reach full bloom in many places this week. This video shows cherry blossom trees along Meguro River, one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo.

Japan: Cherry Blossoms Reach Full Bloom Across Country 5

Cherry blossoms have begun to bloom all over Japan, and are expected to reach full bloom in many places this week. This video shows a weeping cherry tree at Maruyama Park in Kyoto.

Japan: Cherry Blossoms Reach Full Bloom Across Country 4

Cherry blossoms have begun to bloom all over Japan, and are expected to reach full bloom in many places this week. This video shows cherry blossom trees along the Okawa River in Osaka City.

Japan: Cherry Blossoms Reach Full Bloom Across Country 3

Cherry blossoms have begun to bloom all over Japan, and are expected to reach full bloom in many places this week. This video shows a cherry blossom tunnel along the Nakano-dori street in Tokyo shot on Monday, March 31.

Japan: Cherry Blossoms Reach Full Bloom Across Country 2

Cherry blossoms have begun to bloom all over Japan, and are expected to reach full bloom in many places this week. This video shows a cherry blossom tree that appears to be in full bloom in the Kanto region on Sunday, March 30.

Japan: Cherry Blossoms Reach Full Bloom Across Country

Cherry blossoms have begun to bloom all over Japan, and are expected to reach full bloom in many places this week. This video was filmed at Ichinosaka River, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Yamaguchi City, western Japan, where the cherry blossoms are already in full bloom.

RENGO and National Federation of Small Business Associations Discussion

RENGO and National Federation of Small Business Associations Discussion

Discussion between RENGO and the National Federation of Small Business Associations. Photo Shows RENGO President Tomoko Yoshino addressing the meeting.=March 21,2025,Japan

RENGO and National Federation of Small Business Associations Discussion

RENGO and National Federation of Small Business Associations Discussion

Discussion between RENGO and the National Federation of Small Business Associations. Photo shows, from left, RENGO President Tomoko Yoshino and National Federation of Small Business Associations President Hiroshi Mori holding the joint statement.=March 21,2025,Japan

RENGO and National Federation of Small Business Associations Discussion

RENGO and National Federation of Small Business Associations Discussion

Discussion between RENGO and the National Federation of Small Business Associations. Photo Shows RENGO President Tomoko Yoshino addressing the meeting.=March 21,2025,Japan

Cherry blossoms in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan, March 25 Kyodo - A Somei Yoshino cherry tree, which the Japan Meteorological Agency uses as a benchmark tree to declare the official start of the spring cherry blossom season, comes into bloom at Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on March 24, 2025. (Kyodo)

US: Cherry Blossoms in D.C. Nears Peak Bloom

Cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. has reached stage 5, the last stage before peak bloom.

Cherry blossoms in Tokyo

Cherry blossoms in Tokyo

A Somei Yoshino cherry tree, which the Japan Meteorological Agency uses as a benchmark tree to declare the official start of the spring cherry blossom season, comes into bloom at Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on March 24, 2025.

Cherry blossoms in Tokyo

Cherry blossoms in Tokyo

A Somei Yoshino cherry tree, which the Japan Meteorological Agency uses as a benchmark tree to declare the official start of the spring cherry blossom season, comes into bloom at Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on March 24, 2025.

Cherry blossoms in Tokyo

Cherry blossoms in Tokyo

A Somei Yoshino cherry tree, which the Japan Meteorological Agency uses as a benchmark tree to declare the official start of the spring cherry blossom season, comes into bloom at Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on March 24, 2025.

Cherry tree comes into bloom in Kumamoto

Cherry tree comes into bloom in Kumamoto

A sample "Somei Yoshino" cherry tree comes into bloom in the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto on March 23, 2025, marking the country's earliest bloom together with the western Japan city of Kochi.

Cherry tree comes into bloom in Kumamoto

Cherry tree comes into bloom in Kumamoto

A sample "Somei Yoshino" cherry tree comes into bloom in the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto on March 23, 2025, marking the country's earliest bloom together with the western Japan city of Kochi.

Cherry tree comes into bloom in Kochi

Cherry tree comes into bloom in Kochi

A sample "Somei Yoshino" cherry tree comes into bloom at Kochi Castle in the western Japan city of Kochi on March 23, 2025, marking the country's earliest bloom together with the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto.

Wage talks at PM's office

Wage talks at PM's office

Japanese Trade Union Confederation chief Tomoko Yoshino meets the press at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on March 12, 2025, following wage talks with business leaders and politicians.

LDP's party convention

LDP's party convention

Tomoko Yoshino, chief of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, speaks at a party convention of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party in Tokyo on March 9, 2025.

LDP's party convention

LDP's party convention

Tomoko Yoshino, chief of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, speaks at a party convention of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party in Tokyo on March 9, 2025.

Labor-management forum

Labor-management forum

Japanese Trade Union Confederation President Tomoko Yoshino addresses a labor-management forum in Tokyo on Jan. 31, 2025.

Keidanren and Rengo Roundtable Meeting

Keidanren and Rengo Roundtable Meeting

Keidanren and RENGO Roundtable Meeting. RENGO President Tomoko Yoshino addresses the gathering.=January 22,2025,Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Farewell party for former RENGO president Tsuyoshi Takagi

Farewell party for former RENGO president Tsuyoshi Takagi

Farewell party for former RENGO President Tsuyoshi Takagi. The photo shows RENGO President Tomoko Yoshino addressing the gathering.=January 21,2025,Imperial Hotel Tokyo Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Farewell party for former RENGO president Tsuyoshi Takagi

Farewell party for former RENGO president Tsuyoshi Takagi

Farewell party for former RENGO President Tsuyoshi Takagi. Photo shows RENGO President Tomoko Yoshino (center) and others offering flowers.=January 21,2025,Imperial Hotel Tokyo Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Annual spring wage talks in Japan

Annual spring wage talks in Japan

Combined photo shows Japan Business Federation Chairman Masakazu Tokura (L) and Japanese Trade Union Confederation President Tomoko Yoshino holding talks in Tokyo on Jan. 22, 2025, effectively starting the year's spring wage negotiations.

Annual spring wage talks in Japan

Annual spring wage talks in Japan

Japanese Trade Union Confederation President Tomoko Yoshino meets the press after a meeting in Tokyo with Japan Business Federation on Jan. 22, 2025, as the year's spring wage negotiations effectively commenced.

Annual spring wage talks in Japan

Annual spring wage talks in Japan

Japanese Trade Union Confederation President Tomoko Yoshino (C) speaks during a meeting in Tokyo with Japan Business Federation on Jan. 22, 2025, effectively starting the year's spring wage negotiations.

Annual spring wage talks in Japan

Annual spring wage talks in Japan

Japanese Trade Union Confederation President Tomoko Yoshino speaks during a meeting in Tokyo with Japan Business Federation on Jan. 22, 2025, effectively starting the year's spring wage negotiations.

Japan vs Tunisa - 4 Nations Cup

Japan vs Tunisa - 4 Nations Cup

Tatsuki Yoshino during the men's 4 Nations Cup in handball match between Japan and Tunisia in Plock, Poland on January 8, 2025 (Photo by Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto)

Japan vs Tunisa - 4 Nations Cup

Japan vs Tunisa - 4 Nations Cup

Tatsuki Yoshino during the men's 4 Nations Cup in handball match between Japan and Tunisia in Plock, Poland on January 8, 2025 (Photo by Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto)

Japan vs Tunisa - 4 Nations Cup

Japan vs Tunisa - 4 Nations Cup

Tatsuki Yoshino and Yousef Maaref during the men's 4 Nations Cup in handball match between Japan and Tunisia in Plock, Poland on January 8, 2025 (Photo by Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto)

Japan vs Tunisa - 4 Nations Cup

Japan vs Tunisa - 4 Nations Cup

Tatsuki Yoshino and Bilel Abdelli during the men's 4 Nations Cup in handball match between Japan and Tunisia in Plock, Poland on January 8, 2025 (Photo by Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto)

Japan vs Tunisa - 4 Nations Cup

Japan vs Tunisa - 4 Nations Cup

Tatsuki Yoshino and Bilel Abdelli during the men's 4 Nations Cup in handball match between Japan and Tunisia in Plock, Poland on January 8, 2025 (Photo by Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto)

Japan vs Tunisa - 4 Nations Cup

Japan vs Tunisa - 4 Nations Cup

Tatsuki Yoshino during the men's 4 Nations Cup in handball match between Japan and Tunisia in Plock, Poland on January 8, 2025 (Photo by Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto)

Japan vs Tunisa - 4 Nations Cup

Japan vs Tunisa - 4 Nations Cup

Tatsuki Yoshino is plays during the men's 4 Nations Cup in handball match between Japan and Tunisia in Plock, Poland on January 8, 2025. (Photo by Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto)

Rengo head Yoshino

Rengo head Yoshino

Tomoko Yoshino (C), president of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, known as Rengo, speaks during a New Year press conference in Tokyo on Jan. 6, 2025.

Rengo head Yoshino

Rengo head Yoshino

Tomoko Yoshino (L), president of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, known as Rengo, speaks during a New Year press conference in Tokyo on Jan. 6, 2025.

Rengo head Yoshino

Rengo head Yoshino

Tomoko Yoshino, president of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, known as Rengo, speaks during a New Year press conference in Tokyo on Jan. 6, 2025.

Buddhist monks seek social welfare donations

Buddhist monks seek social welfare donations

Buddhist monks from World Heritage-listed Kinpusen-ji temple in Yoshino in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, visit nearby houses on Dec. 1, 2024, during an annual event to seek donations. Part of the funds collected will be used to help people affected by a powerful earthquake that hit central Japan's Noto Peninsula area on Jan. 1.

Japan's government holds meeting on wages

Japan's government holds meeting on wages

Tomoko Yoshino (C), head of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, known as Rengo, and Masakazu Tokura (R), chairman of the country's biggest business lobby, the Japan Business Federation or Keidanren, attend a government meeting on wage hikes at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Nov. 26, 2024.