General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Katsuya Okada of the Centrist Reform Alliance meets supporters on Feb. 9, 2026, in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, after the former foreign minister lost his seat in a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Katsuya Okada of the Centrist Reform Alliance meets supporters on Feb. 9, 2026, in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, after the former foreign minister lost his seat in a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Katsuya Okada of the Centrist Reform Alliance speaks to supporters on Feb. 9, 2026, in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, after the former foreign minister lost his seat in a general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

A bus serving as a polling station is parked near temporary housing for people affected by the January 2024 earthquake in Suzu in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on Feb. 3, 2025, for early voting for the Feb. 8 general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

A bus serving as a polling station is parked near temporary housing for people affected by the January 2024 earthquake in Suzu in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on Feb. 3, 2025, for early voting for the Feb. 8 general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi makes a stump speech in Ichinomiya in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Feb. 1, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi makes a stump speech in Ichinomiya in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Feb. 1, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Voters gather for a stump speech by a politician in Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on Feb. 1, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.

Interview with figure skater Kagiyama

Interview with figure skater Kagiyama

Japanese figure skater Yuma Kagiyama is interviewed in Toyota in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 17, 2026, ahead of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics opening on Feb. 6.

Interview with figure skater Kagiyama

Interview with figure skater Kagiyama

Japanese figure skater Yuma Kagiyama is interviewed in Toyota in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 17, 2026, ahead of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics opening on Feb. 6.

Interview with figure skater Kagiyama

Interview with figure skater Kagiyama

Japanese figure skater Yuma Kagiyama is interviewed in Toyota in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 17, 2026, ahead of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics opening on Feb. 6.

Interview with figure skater Kagiyama

Interview with figure skater Kagiyama

Japanese figure skater Yuma Kagiyama is interviewed in Toyota in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 17, 2026, ahead of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics opening on Feb. 6.

[Breaking News]BOJ policy-setting meeting

TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 23 Kyodo - Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda holds a press conference at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, following a two-day policy setting meeting. (Kyodo)

Heavy snow in Fukui

Heavy snow in Fukui

A dinosaur statue is pictured in front of Fukui Station in the central Japan city of Fukui on Jan. 25, 2026, following heavy snowfall.

Heavy snow in Fukui

Heavy snow in Fukui

A dinosaur statue is pictured in front of Fukui Station in the central Japan city of Fukui on Jan. 25, 2026, following heavy snowfall.

Streetcar derails amid snow in Toyama Pref.

Streetcar derails amid snow in Toyama Pref.

Photo taken on Jan. 24, 2026, in Takaoka in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, shows a derailed out-of-service streetcar amid falling snow.

Streetcar derails amid snow in Toyama Pref.

Streetcar derails amid snow in Toyama Pref.

Photo taken on Jan. 24, 2026, in Takaoka in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, shows a derailed out-of-service streetcar amid falling snow.

Streetcar derails amid snow in Toyama Pref.

Streetcar derails amid snow in Toyama Pref.

Photo taken on Jan. 24, 2026, in Takaoka in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, shows a derailed out-of-service streetcar amid falling snow.

Streetcar derails amid snow in Toyama Pref.

Streetcar derails amid snow in Toyama Pref.

Photo taken on Jan. 24, 2026, in Takaoka in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, shows a derailed out-of-service streetcar amid falling snow.

BOJ policy-setting meeting

BOJ policy-setting meeting

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda holds a press conference at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, following a two-day policy setting meeting.

BOJ policy-setting meeting

BOJ policy-setting meeting

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda holds a press conference at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, following a two-day policy setting meeting.

BOJ policy-setting meeting

BOJ policy-setting meeting

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda holds a press conference at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, following a two-day policy setting meeting.

BOJ policy-setting meeting

BOJ policy-setting meeting

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda holds a press conference at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, following a two-day policy setting meeting.

BOJ policy-setting meeting

BOJ policy-setting meeting

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda holds a press conference at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, following a two-day policy setting meeting.

Preparation for general election

Preparation for general election

Photo taken on Jan. 23, 2026, shows a board set up for candidates' posters in Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Preparation for general election

Preparation for general election

Photo taken on Jan. 23, 2026, shows a board set up for candidates' posters in Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

Preparation for general election

Preparation for general election

Photo taken on Jan. 23, 2026, shows a board set up for candidates' posters in Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the House of Representatives earlier in the day for a snap general election on Feb. 8.

BOJ policy-setting meeting

BOJ policy-setting meeting

The Bank of Japan holds the second day session of the central bank's two-day monetary policy meeting at the BOJ's headquarters in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, with Governor Kazuo Ueda seated in the center.

BOJ policy-setting meeting

BOJ policy-setting meeting

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda (C) attends the second day of the central bank's two-day policy-setting meeting at the BOJ's headquarters in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026.

Heavy snowfall in Japan

Heavy snowfall in Japan

People walk in heavy snow in Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 23, 2026.

Heavy snowfall in Japan

Heavy snowfall in Japan

A person removes snow on a street in Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 23, 2026.

BOJ policy-setting meeting

BOJ policy-setting meeting

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda (C) attends the second day of the central bank's two-day policy-setting meeting at the BOJ's headquarters in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026.

BOJ policy-setting meeting

BOJ policy-setting meeting

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda attends the second day of the central bank's two-day policy-setting meeting at the BOJ's headquarters in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026.

BOJ policy-setting meeting

BOJ policy-setting meeting

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda arrives at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, for the second day of its two-day monetary policy meeting.

BOJ policy-setting meeting

BOJ policy-setting meeting

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda arrives at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, for the second day of its two-day monetary policy meeting.

BOJ policy-setting meeting

BOJ policy-setting meeting

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda arrives at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo on Jan. 23, 2026, for the second day of its two-day monetary policy meeting.

Heavy snowfall in Ishikawa Pref.

Heavy snowfall in Ishikawa Pref.

People walk in heavy snow in Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 22, 2026.

BOJ policy-setting meeting

BOJ policy-setting meeting

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda arrives at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo on Jan. 22, 2026, for the first day of a two-day monetary policy meeting. (Pool photo)

Hamaoka nuclear power plant in central Japan

OMAEZAKI, Japan, Jan. 9 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News airplane shows the Hamaoka nuclear power plant operated by Chubu Electric Power Co. in Omaezaki, Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 8, 2026. (Kyodo)

Snow in central Japan

Snow in central Japan

Gates are closed at an interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway in the central Japan city of Toyama to prevent accidents given expected heavy snowfall on Jan. 21, 2026.

Snow in central Japan

Snow in central Japan

Gates are closed at an interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway in the central Japan city of Toyama to prevent accidents given expected heavy snowfall on Jan. 21, 2026.

Snow in central Japan

Snow in central Japan

An electronic signboard at an interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway in the central Japan city of Toyama informs drivers of the closure of a section to prevent accidents given expected heavy snowfall on Jan. 21, 2026.

Heavy snowfall in Japan

Heavy snowfall in Japan

A notice board at JR Kanazawa Station in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, informs passengers of the suspension of express train services due to heavy snowfall on Jan. 22, 2026.

Heavy snowfall in Japan

Heavy snowfall in Japan

A notice board at JR Kanazawa Station in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, informs passengers of the suspension of express train services due to heavy snowfall on Jan. 22, 2026.

Heavy snowfall in Japan

Heavy snowfall in Japan

People view monitors at JR Kanazawa Station in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, informing them of the suspension of express train services due to heavy snowfall on Jan. 22, 2026.

Heavy snowfall in Japan

Heavy snowfall in Japan

A monitor at JR Nagoya Station in Nagoya, central Japan, displays information about delays of the Shinkansen bullet train service due to heavy snowfall on Jan. 22, 2026.

Heavy snowfall in Japan

Heavy snowfall in Japan

A monitor at JR Nagoya Station in Nagoya, central Japan, displays information about delays of the Shinkansen bullet train service due to heavy snowfall on Jan. 22, 2026.

Snow in central Japan

Snow in central Japan

Photo taken on Jan. 21, 2026, shows JR Kanazawa Station in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, blanketed in snow.

Snow in central Japan

Snow in central Japan

People walk in the snow near JR Kanazawa Station in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 21, 2026.

Echizen crabs in central Japan

Echizen crabs in central Japan

Boiled Echizen crabs are shown to the media at a fish wholesaler in Sakai, Fukui Prefecture, on Jan. 21, 2026, as part of an annual event organized by the central Japan prefecture to present the winter delicacy to Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and other imperial family members.