Search｜Photos & Images & Videos｜KYODO NEWS IMAGES INC

Hydrangeas bloom in central Japan

Hydrangeas bloom at a park in Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on June 9, 2025. The Japan Meteorological Agency announced the same day that the rainy season had apparently started in the Tokai region centering on the city as well as Chugoku and Kinki regions.

E

Hydrangeas bloom in central Japan

Hydrangeas bloom at a park in Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on June 9, 2025. The Japan Meteorological Agency announced the same day that the rainy season had apparently started in the Tokai region centering on the city as well as Chugoku and Kinki regions.

E

Hydrangeas bloom in central Japan

Hydrangeas bloom at a park in Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on June 9, 2025. The Japan Meteorological Agency announced the same day that the rainy season had apparently started in the Tokai region centering on the city as well as Chugoku and Kinki regions.

E

Japan's economic federation chairman in Beijing

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng (R) meets Masayoshi Matsumoto, chairman of Kansai Economic Federation, a business lobby consisting of major firms headquartered in western Japan centering on Osaka, on Nov. 27, 2024, in Beijing.

E

CHINA-CHONGQING-WUSHAN-TOURISM-DEVELOPMENT (CN)

(240519) -- CHONGQING, May 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on May 16, 2024 shows tourist boats sailing on Shennyu river in Wushan County, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. In recent years, taking cultural tourism industry as its strategic pillar industry, Wushan County has been promoting tourism centering on Three Gorges area. Multiple measures have also been implemented including establishing innovative tourism projects, improving tourism infrastructure to boost the high-quality development of tourism. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

E

CHINA-CHONGQING-WUSHAN-TOURISM-DEVELOPMENT (CN)

(240519) -- CHONGQING, May 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on May 16, 2024 shows a cruise ship docking in the Wushan section of Yangtze River, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. In recent years, taking cultural tourism industry as its strategic pillar industry, Wushan County has been promoting tourism centering on Three Gorges area. Multiple measures have also been implemented including establishing innovative tourism projects, improving tourism infrastructure to boost the high-quality development of tourism. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

E

CHINA-CHONGQING-WUSHAN-TOURISM-DEVELOPMENT (CN)

(240519) -- CHONGQING, May 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A staff member cleans a room at a homestay in Wushan County, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, May 16, 2024. In recent years, taking cultural tourism industry as its strategic pillar industry, Wushan County has been promoting tourism centering on Three Gorges area. Multiple measures have also been implemented including establishing innovative tourism projects, improving tourism infrastructure to boost the high-quality development of tourism. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

E

CHINA-CHONGQING-WUSHAN-TOURISM-DEVELOPMENT (CN)

(240519) -- CHONGQING, May 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Tourists take cable cars for sightseeing at a scenic area in Wushan County, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, May 16, 2024. In recent years, taking cultural tourism industry as its strategic pillar industry, Wushan County has been promoting tourism centering on Three Gorges area. Multiple measures have also been implemented including establishing innovative tourism projects, improving tourism infrastructure to boost the high-quality development of tourism. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

E

CHINA-CHONGQING-WUSHAN-TOURISM-DEVELOPMENT (CN)

(240519) -- CHONGQING, May 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Tourists take a sightseeing boat to enjoy night scenery in Wushan County, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, May 15, 2024. In recent years, taking cultural tourism industry as its strategic pillar industry, Wushan County has been promoting tourism centering on Three Gorges area. Multiple measures have also been implemented including establishing innovative tourism projects, improving tourism infrastructure to boost the high-quality development of tourism. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

E

CHINA-CHONGQING-WUSHAN-TOURISM-DEVELOPMENT (CN)

(240519) -- CHONGQING, May 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A tourist ship sails in Wuxia Gorge, one of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River, in Wushan County, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, May 16, 2024. In recent years, taking cultural tourism industry as its strategic pillar industry, Wushan County has been promoting tourism centering on Three Gorges area. Multiple measures have also been implemented including establishing innovative tourism projects, improving tourism infrastructure to boost the high-quality development of tourism. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

E

CHINA-CHONGQING-WUSHAN-TOURISM-DEVELOPMENT (CN)

(240519) -- CHONGQING, May 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on May 16, 2024 shows the scenery of Wuxia Gorge, one of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River, in Wushan County, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. In recent years, taking cultural tourism industry as its strategic pillar industry, Wushan County has been promoting tourism centering on Three Gorges area. Multiple measures have also been implemented including establishing innovative tourism projects, improving tourism infrastructure to boost the high-quality development of tourism. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

E

CHINA-CHONGQING-WUSHAN-TOURISM-DEVELOPMENT (CN)

(240519) -- CHONGQING, May 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on May 16, 2024 shows tourists visiting a scenic area in Wushan County, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. In recent years, taking cultural tourism industry as its strategic pillar industry, Wushan County has been promoting tourism centering on Three Gorges area. Multiple measures have also been implemented including establishing innovative tourism projects, improving tourism infrastructure to boost the high-quality development of tourism. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

E

CHINA-CHONGQING-WUSHAN-TOURISM-DEVELOPMENT (CN)

(240519) -- CHONGQING, May 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Tourists pose for photos at a scenic area in Wushan County, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, May 16, 2024. In recent years, taking cultural tourism industry as its strategic pillar industry, Wushan County has been promoting tourism centering on Three Gorges area. Multiple measures have also been implemented including establishing innovative tourism projects, improving tourism infrastructure to boost the high-quality development of tourism. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

E

(AmazingAnhui)CHINA-ANHUI-HUAINAN-BEEF SOUP (CN)

(240119) -- HUAINAN, Jan. 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Staff members work on a production line of Huainan beef soup at a food company in Huainan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 16, 2024. Huainan beef soup is a renowned historic local cuisine in Huainan City of Anhui Province. To make Huainan beef soup, it involves simmering high-quality beef and beef bones with herbs and seasonings. It's also served with vermicelli, tofu skin, coriander, and other ingredients. In 2017, the making technique of Huainan beef soup was listed as a provincial intangible cultural heritage of Anhui. In recent years, Huainan City has established an industrial chain centering on Huainan beef soup, which covers restaurants and instant food products. In 2023, the production value of the entire industrial chain of Huainan beef soup has exceeded 30 billion yuan (about 4.2 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

E

(AmazingAnhui)CHINA-ANHUI-HUAINAN-BEEF SOUP (CN)

(240119) -- HUAINAN, Jan. 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Jan. 16, 2024 shows a bowl of Huainan beef soup at a restaurant in Huainan City, east China's Anhui Province. Huainan beef soup is a renowned historic local cuisine in Huainan City of Anhui Province. To make Huainan beef soup, it involves simmering high-quality beef and beef bones with herbs and seasonings. It's also served with vermicelli, tofu skin, coriander, and other ingredients. In 2017, the making technique of Huainan beef soup was listed as a provincial intangible cultural heritage of Anhui. In recent years, Huainan City has established an industrial chain centering on Huainan beef soup, which covers restaurants and instant food products. In 2023, the production value of the entire industrial chain of Huainan beef soup has exceeded 30 billion yuan (about 4.2 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

E

(AmazingAnhui)CHINA-ANHUI-HUAINAN-BEEF SOUP (CN)

(240119) -- HUAINAN, Jan. 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Jan. 16, 2024 shows ingredients served with Huainan beef soup at a restaurant in Huainan City, east China's Anhui Province. Huainan beef soup is a renowned historic local cuisine in Huainan City of Anhui Province. To make Huainan beef soup, it involves simmering high-quality beef and beef bones with herbs and seasonings. It's also served with vermicelli, tofu skin, coriander, and other ingredients. In 2017, the making technique of Huainan beef soup was listed as a provincial intangible cultural heritage of Anhui. In recent years, Huainan City has established an industrial chain centering on Huainan beef soup, which covers restaurants and instant food products. In 2023, the production value of the entire industrial chain of Huainan beef soup has exceeded 30 billion yuan (about 4.2 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

E

(AmazingAnhui)CHINA-ANHUI-HUAINAN-BEEF SOUP (CN)

(240119) -- HUAINAN, Jan. 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Jan. 16, 2024 shows a bowl of Huainan beef soup at a restaurant in Huainan City, east China's Anhui Province. Huainan beef soup is a renowned historic local cuisine in Huainan City of Anhui Province. To make Huainan beef soup, it involves simmering high-quality beef and beef bones with herbs and seasonings. It's also served with vermicelli, tofu skin, coriander, and other ingredients. In 2017, the making technique of Huainan beef soup was listed as a provincial intangible cultural heritage of Anhui. In recent years, Huainan City has established an industrial chain centering on Huainan beef soup, which covers restaurants and instant food products. In 2023, the production value of the entire industrial chain of Huainan beef soup has exceeded 30 billion yuan (about 4.2 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

E

(AmazingAnhui)CHINA-ANHUI-HUAINAN-BEEF SOUP (CN)

(240119) -- HUAINAN, Jan. 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Diners enjoy their Huainan beef soup at a restaurant in Huainan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 16, 2024. Huainan beef soup is a renowned historic local cuisine in Huainan City of Anhui Province. To make Huainan beef soup, it involves simmering high-quality beef and beef bones with herbs and seasonings. It's also served with vermicelli, tofu skin, coriander, and other ingredients. In 2017, the making technique of Huainan beef soup was listed as a provincial intangible cultural heritage of Anhui. In recent years, Huainan City has established an industrial chain centering on Huainan beef soup, which covers restaurants and instant food products. In 2023, the production value of the entire industrial chain of Huainan beef soup has exceeded 30 billion yuan (about 4.2 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

E

(AmazingAnhui)CHINA-ANHUI-HUAINAN-BEEF SOUP (CN)

(240119) -- HUAINAN, Jan. 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A restaurant owner cooks Huainan beef soup at a restaurant in Huainan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 16, 2024. Huainan beef soup is a renowned historic local cuisine in Huainan City of Anhui Province. To make Huainan beef soup, it involves simmering high-quality beef and beef bones with herbs and seasonings. It's also served with vermicelli, tofu skin, coriander, and other ingredients. In 2017, the making technique of Huainan beef soup was listed as a provincial intangible cultural heritage of Anhui. In recent years, Huainan City has established an industrial chain centering on Huainan beef soup, which covers restaurants and instant food products. In 2023, the production value of the entire industrial chain of Huainan beef soup has exceeded 30 billion yuan (about 4.2 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

E

(AmazingAnhui)CHINA-ANHUI-HUAINAN-BEEF SOUP (CN)

(240119) -- HUAINAN, Jan. 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Staff members work on a production line of Huainan beef soup at a food company in Huainan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 16, 2024. Huainan beef soup is a renowned historic local cuisine in Huainan City of Anhui Province. To make Huainan beef soup, it involves simmering high-quality beef and beef bones with herbs and seasonings. It's also served with vermicelli, tofu skin, coriander, and other ingredients. In 2017, the making technique of Huainan beef soup was listed as a provincial intangible cultural heritage of Anhui. In recent years, Huainan City has established an industrial chain centering on Huainan beef soup, which covers restaurants and instant food products. In 2023, the production value of the entire industrial chain of Huainan beef soup has exceeded 30 billion yuan (about 4.2 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

E

(AmazingAnhui)CHINA-ANHUI-HUAINAN-BEEF SOUP (CN)

(240119) -- HUAINAN, Jan. 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Staff members dry tofu skins at a bean products processing company in Huainan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 16, 2024. Huainan beef soup is a renowned historic local cuisine in Huainan City of Anhui Province. To make Huainan beef soup, it involves simmering high-quality beef and beef bones with herbs and seasonings. It's also served with vermicelli, tofu skin, coriander, and other ingredients. In 2017, the making technique of Huainan beef soup was listed as a provincial intangible cultural heritage of Anhui. In recent years, Huainan City has established an industrial chain centering on Huainan beef soup, which covers restaurants and instant food products. In 2023, the production value of the entire industrial chain of Huainan beef soup has exceeded 30 billion yuan (about 4.2 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

E

(AmazingAnhui)CHINA-ANHUI-HUAINAN-BEEF SOUP (CN)

(240119) -- HUAINAN, Jan. 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Staff members package Huainan beef soup products at a food company in Huainan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 16, 2024. Huainan beef soup is a renowned historic local cuisine in Huainan City of Anhui Province. To make Huainan beef soup, it involves simmering high-quality beef and beef bones with herbs and seasonings. It's also served with vermicelli, tofu skin, coriander, and other ingredients. In 2017, the making technique of Huainan beef soup was listed as a provincial intangible cultural heritage of Anhui. In recent years, Huainan City has established an industrial chain centering on Huainan beef soup, which covers restaurants and instant food products. In 2023, the production value of the entire industrial chain of Huainan beef soup has exceeded 30 billion yuan (about 4.2 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

E

(AmazingAnhui)CHINA-ANHUI-HUAINAN-BEEF SOUP (CN)

(240119) -- HUAINAN, Jan. 19, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A child enjoys his Huainan beef soup at a restaurant in Huainan City, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 16, 2024. Huainan beef soup is a renowned historic local cuisine in Huainan City of Anhui Province. To make Huainan beef soup, it involves simmering high-quality beef and beef bones with herbs and seasonings. It's also served with vermicelli, tofu skin, coriander, and other ingredients. In 2017, the making technique of Huainan beef soup was listed as a provincial intangible cultural heritage of Anhui. In recent years, Huainan City has established an industrial chain centering on Huainan beef soup, which covers restaurants and instant food products. In 2023, the production value of the entire industrial chain of Huainan beef soup has exceeded 30 billion yuan (about 4.2 billion U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

E

CHINA-BEIJING-CHEN WENQING-FENGQIAO MODEL-CONFERENCE (CN)

(231107) -- BEIJING, Nov. 7, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Chen Wenqing, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, addresses an event centering on the "Fengqiao model" for promoting community-level governance in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

E

Ukrainian woman to publish Japanese-style poetry anthology

Photo taken at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo shows Vladislava Simonova (on screen), a 24-year-old woman living in Ukraine, holding a virtual press conference on Aug. 21, 2023, before publishing on Aug. 25 a Russian-language anthology of "haiku," Japanese-style short form poetry, centering around her experiences in the war-torn country.

E

Ukrainian woman to publish Japanese-style poetry anthology

Photo taken at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo shows Vladislava Simonova (on screen), a 24-year-old woman living in Ukraine, holding a virtual press conference on Aug. 21, 2023, before publishing on Aug. 25 a Russian-language anthology of "haiku," Japanese-style short form poetry, centering around her experiences in the war-torn country.

E

Ukrainian woman to publish Japanese-style poetry anthology

Photo taken at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo shows Vladislava Simonova (on screen), a 24-year-old woman living in Ukraine, holding a virtual press conference on Aug. 21, 2023, before publishing on Aug. 25 a Russian-language anthology of "haiku," Japanese-style short form poetry, centering around her experiences in the war-torn country.

E

Abe to be hospitalized for 3-4 days

TOKYO, Japan - Toshifumi Hibi, head of gastroenterology at Keio University Hospital speaks at a news conference at the hospital in Tokyo on Sept. 13, saying Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who abruptly announced his resignation the previous day, has been suffering from stomach irritations, pain, poor appetite and other symptoms centering on the duodenum and needs to stay in hospital for ''at least three or four days.''

E

Panasonic vows 1 tril. yen investment toward FY 2018 sales goal

TOKYO, March 26 Kyodo - Kazuhiro Tsuga, president of Panasonic Corp., briefs reporters on the company's business plan for the fiscal year through March 2016 in Tokyo on March 26, 2015. Tsuga said Panasonic Corp. will spend 1 trillion yen ($844 billion) to carry out "strategic investment" projects centering on mergers and acquisitions, to increase annual sales to 10 trillion yen by fiscal 2018.

E

Sharp targets Asia with Japanese sales style

OSAKA, Japan - Akira Atarashi, Sharp Corp.'s deputy CEO for Asia, the Middle East and Africa, speaks at a press conference in Osaka City, western Japan, on July 15, 2014, introducing marketing methods for the region centering on its ASEAN sales bases.

E

"Funassyi" wins regional mascot election in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - "Funassyi," the unofficial mascot of Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture, jumps with joy after winning a nationwide regional election to choose the most popular regional mascot in Japan on Aug. 6, 2013. Funassyi represented the Kanto region centering on Tokyo.

E

New Gundam series unveiled

TOKYO, Japan - Executives of Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. and animation creators line up during a promotional event in Tokyo to unveil the story and characters of Mobile Suit Gundam ''AGE,'' the first new series of the popular Japanese sci-fi animation since 2007, on June 13, 2011. The 14th animation series, to be broadcast on TV in Japan from October, features a three-generation family story centering on a technology-savvy boy who develops the AGE combat robot system that can evolve itself through battles, the company said.

E

Great Kanto Earthquake documents donated by U.S. Embassy

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Photo shows documents on the Great Kanto Earthquake, which struck the Kanto region centering on Tokyo in 1923, logged by U.S. missionary Clara Loomis, along with a photograph of victims. The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo donated the documents to the Yokohama Archives of History in Kanagawa Prefecture on May 27, 2011.

E

Great Kanto Earthquake documents donated by U.S. Embassy

YOKOHAMA, Japan - U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Jim Zumwalt (R) hands historical documents to Kazuo Ueyama, chief of the Yokohama Archives of History, in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, on May 27, 2011. The documents are about the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake which struck the Kanto region centering on Tokyo recorded by U.S. missionary Clara Loomis.

E

Glico sign

OSAKA, Japan - A huge signboard of confectionery maker Ezaki Glico, a landmark of Osaka, is lit up with neon lights on April 4, 2011, after remaining dark since March 12 in the wake of the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan the previous day. The company said it had decided to light up the sign again following requests from many people, who said the Kansai region centering on Osaka should regain its brightness and vitality for the sake of the entire nation.

E

Aso unveils 23 trillion yen stimulus package

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Taro Aso responds to questions from reporters at a press conference at the prime minister's office on Dec. 12 after unveiling a 23 trillion yen stimulus package centering on measures to address the deteriorating job market and the credit crunch.

E

Nationwide quake drill held on disaster preparedness day

KISHIWADA, Japan - Rescue workers conduct a quake drill in Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture, on Sept. 1, Japan's Disaster Preparedness Day, on the assumption that a magnitude-8.6 earthquake centering on the southern coast of Wakayama has jolted Aichi, Mie, Wakayama and Kochi prefectures and derailed a train running on elevated rail tracks. A total of 590,000 people took part in various disaster preparation drills in 30 of Japan's 47 prefectures. (Pool photo)

E

Nationwide quake drill held on disaster preparedness day

KISHIWADA, Japan - Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda (C) inspects a quake drill in Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture, on Sept. 1. The government held a nationwide quake drill, with 590,000 people from 30 of Japan's 47 prefectures taking part under the assumption that a magnitude-8.6 earthquake centering on the southern coast of Wakayama hits a wide area covering Aichi, Mie, Wakayama and Kochi prefectures.

E

Yang Yi receives Akutagawa Prize

TOKYO, Japan - Yang Yi, a Chinese writer based in Japan who won this year's Akutagawa Prize, receives a bouquet of flowers during the award ceremony for the prize in Tokyo on Aug. 22. Yang's award-winning work ''Tokiga nijimu asa'' (a morning when time blurs) is set during and after China's democratization movement centering on the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown.

E

M7.2 quake jolts northeastern Japan

SENDAI, Japan - A Shinkansen bullet train is stalled in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, June 14 after a powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 jolted extensive areas centering on northeastern Japan.

E

M7.2 quake jolts northeastern Japan, killing at least 2

SENDAI, Japan - A car is covered by landsides in the city of Kurihara, Miyagi Prefecture, on June 14 after a powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 jolted extensive areas centering in northeastern Japan.

E

M7.2 quake jolts northeastern Japan

SENDAI, Japan - A road around a dam in a mountainous area in the city of Oshu, Iwate Prefecture, collapses after a powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 jolted extensive areas centering in northeastern Japan.

E

M7.2 quake jolts northeastern Japan, killing at least 2

SENDAI, Japan - A road is broken off in the mountainous area in the city of Kurihara, Miyagi Prefecture, on June 14 after a powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 jolted extensive areas centering in northeastern Japan.

E

M7.2 quake jolts northeastern Japan

SENDAI, Japan - A road in a mountainous area in the city of Kurihara, Miyagi Prefecture, is broken off June 14 after a powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 jolted extensive areas centering in northeastern Japan.

E

M7.2 quake jolts northeastern Japan, killing at least 2

SENDAI, Japan - Large scale landslides are seen near Aratozawa Dam in the city of Kurihara, Miyagi Prefecture, on June 14 after a powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 jolted extensive areas centering in northeastern Japan.

E

M7.2 quake jolts northeastern Japan, killing at least 2

SENDAI, Japan - A road in the city of Oshu, Iwate Prefecture, caved in on June 14 after a powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 jolted extensive areas centering in northeastern Japan.

E

M7.2 quake jolts northeastern Japan, killing at least 2

SENDAI, Japan - Large scale landslides are seen near Aratozawa Dam in the city of Kurihara, Miyagi Prefecture, on June 14 after a powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 jolted extensive areas centering in northeastern Japan.

E

M7.2 quake jolts northeastern Japan

SENDAI, Japan - A man watches a road in the city of Oshu, Iwate Prefecture, on June 14. It caved in after a powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 jolted extensive areas centering on northeastern Japan.

E

MOF proposes 83 tril. yen budget

TOKYO, Japan - Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga arrives at the Diet building to attend an extra Cabinet session convened on Dec. 20 to approve an 895.4 billion yen supplementary budget for fiscal 2007. Earlier in the day, the Finance Ministry proposed a state budget for fiscal 2008 totaling 83,061.3 billion yen centering on measures to revitalize regional economies and improve medical and education services.

E

Gov't panel to call for sales tax hike in reform proposals

TOKYO, Japan - Yutaka Kosai, chairman of government's Tax Commission, speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Nov. 5 after a plenary session of the panel, which agreed on an outline of its tax reform proposals for fiscal 2008 centering on a hike in the consumption tax.