Japan top spokesman visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japan top spokesman visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara (C) is briefed by Kumamoto Mayor Kazufumi Onishi (L) about damage to Kumamoto Castle during a visit to Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 22, 2026, following a powerful earthquake that struck the region on July 28.

Japan top spokesman visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japan top spokesman visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara meets the press during a visit to quake-hit Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 22, 2026, following a powerful earthquake that struck the region on July 28.

Japan top spokesman visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japan top spokesman visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara meets the press during a visit to quake-hit Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 22, 2026, following a powerful earthquake that struck the region on July 28.

Japan top spokesman visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japan top spokesman visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara meets the press during a visit to quake-hit Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 22, 2026, following a powerful earthquake that struck the region on July 28.

Japan top spokesman visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japan top spokesman visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara meets the press during a visit to quake-hit Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 22, 2026, following a powerful earthquake that struck the region on July 28.

Japan top spokesman visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japan top spokesman visits quake-hit Kumamoto

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara (R) is briefed by Kumamoto Mayor Kazufumi Onishi about damage to Kumamoto Castle during a visit to Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 22, 2026, following a powerful earthquake that struck the region on July 28.

Japan top spokesman visits Aeon Mall explosion site

Japan top spokesman visits Aeon Mall explosion site

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara lays flowers on Aug. 21, 2026, at the Aeon Mall Kumamoto shopping complex in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, to pay respects to the seven people killed there in a July 28 gas explosion triggered by a powerful earthquake in the region.

Japan top spokesman visits Aeon Mall explosion site

Japan top spokesman visits Aeon Mall explosion site

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara (2nd from L) visits the Aeon Mall Kumamoto shopping complex in Kashima in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 21, 2026, to pay respects to the seven people killed there in a July 28 gas explosion triggered by a powerful earthquake in the region.

Japan top spokesman visits Aeon Mall explosion site

Japan top spokesman visits Aeon Mall explosion site

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara visits the Aeon Mall Kumamoto shopping complex in Kashima in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 21, 2026, to pay respects to the seven people killed there in a July 28 gas explosion triggered by a powerful earthquake in the region.

Japan top spokesman visits Aeon Mall explosion site

Japan top spokesman visits Aeon Mall explosion site

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara bows on Aug. 21, 2026, at a flower stand at the Aeon Mall Kumamoto shopping complex in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, to pay respects to the seven people killed there in a July 28 gas explosion triggered by a powerful earthquake in the region.

Japan top spokesman visits Aeon Mall explosion site

Japan top spokesman visits Aeon Mall explosion site

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara bows on Aug. 21, 2026, at a flower stand at the Aeon Mall Kumamoto shopping complex in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, to pay respects to the seven people killed there in a July 28 gas explosion triggered by a powerful earthquake in the region.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Strong quake jolts southwestern Japan

Strong quake jolts southwestern Japan

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara holds a press conference in Tokyo on July 28, 2026, after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 shook Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

Strong quake jolts southwestern Japan

Strong quake jolts southwestern Japan

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara holds a press conference in Tokyo on July 28, 2026, after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 shook Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

Strong quake jolts southwestern Japan

Strong quake jolts southwestern Japan

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara holds a press conference in Tokyo on July 28, 2026, after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 shook Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

Japan top spokesman Kihara

Japan top spokesman Kihara

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara holds a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on July 21, 2026.

Japan top spokesman Kihara

Japan top spokesman Kihara

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara holds a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on July 21, 2026.

Japan top spokesman Kihara

Japan top spokesman Kihara

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara holds a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on July 21, 2026.

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara (front, L) bows after the House of Councillors passed a bill to revise the Imperial House Law during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. The amendment to the 1947 law permits the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and also allows female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stands up after the House of Councillors passed a bill to revise the Imperial House Law during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. The amendment to the 1947 law permits the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and also allows female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stands up after the House of Councillors passed a bill to revise the Imperial House Law during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. The amendment to the 1947 law permits the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and also allows female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stands up after the House of Councillors passed a bill to revise the Imperial House Law during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. The amendment to the 1947 law permits the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and also allows female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

Vietnamese deputy prime minister in Tokyo

Vietnamese deputy prime minister in Tokyo

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara (R) and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang shake hands at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on July 13, 2026.

Lower house passes bill for imperial law revision

Lower house passes bill for imperial law revision

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara bows after the House of Representatives passed a bill for a law revision to address the dwindling number of imperial family members during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 10, 2026.

Lower house passes bill for imperial law revision

Lower house passes bill for imperial law revision

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara bows after the House of Representatives passed a bill for a law revision to address the dwindling number of imperial family members during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 10, 2026.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara holds a press conference in Tokyo on June 25, 2026, after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 struck northeastern Japan earlier in the day.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara holds a press conference in Tokyo on June 25, 2026, after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 struck northeastern Japan earlier in the day.

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Powerful earthquake hits northeastern Japan

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara holds a press conference in Tokyo on June 25, 2026, after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 struck northeastern Japan earlier in the day.

U.N. symposium on N. Korea's abductions of Japanese

U.N. symposium on N. Korea's abductions of Japanese

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara makes a keynote speech remotely from Tokyo on June 24, 2026, at a U.N. symposium on North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals in the 1970s and 1980s.

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken in August 1993 at the prime minister's office in Tokyo shows Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono issuing an official statement acknowledging the Japanese military's responsibility for the forced labor of Korean "comfort women" in Japan's wartime military brothels, and announcing the government's landmark apology for the issue. Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken in June 1994 at the parliament building in Tokyo shows (from R) Liberal Democratic Party leader Yohei Kono, Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama of the Japan Socialist Party and New Party Sakigake leader Masayoshi Takemura shaking hands before a meeting to form the Cabinet of their new coalition government. Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, known for announcing the Japanese government's landmark apology over Korean "comfort women" who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels, died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken in July 1994 shows Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono (R) chatting with Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama ahead of a Cabinet meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo. Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, known for announcing the Japanese government's landmark apology over Korean "comfort women" who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels, died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

Japan PM Takaichi, ministers in Okinawa wear

Japan PM Takaichi, ministers in Okinawa wear

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) and ministers prepare to attend a Cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 2, 2026, wearing "kariyushi" summer tops from the southern island prefecture of Okinawa.

Japan PM Takaichi, ministers in Okinawa wear

Japan PM Takaichi, ministers in Okinawa wear

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) and ministers prepare to attend a Cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 2, 2026, wearing "kariyushi" summer tops from the southern island prefecture of Okinawa.