Baseball: Swallows vs. Tigers

Baseball: Swallows vs. Tigers

Hanshin Tigers infielder Teruaki Sato is pictured in an at-bat during a Central League baseball game against the Yakult Swallows at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Oct. 2, 2025.

Baseball: Swallows vs. Tigers

Baseball: Swallows vs. Tigers

Hanshin Tigers infielder Teruaki Sato is pictured in an at-bat during a Central League baseball game against the Yakult Swallows at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Oct. 2, 2025.

Lantern festival in central Japan town

NOTO, Japan, July 3 Kyodo - People carry giant lantern floats called kiriko on the opening day of the two-day Abare festival, dating back to the Edo era (1603-1868), in Noto in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa on July 3, 2026. (Kyodo)

Lantern festival in central Japan town

Lantern festival in central Japan town

People carry giant lantern floats called kiriko on the opening day of the two-day Abare festival, dating back to the Edo era (1603-1868), in Noto in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa on July 3, 2026.

Lantern festival in central Japan town

Lantern festival in central Japan town

People carry giant lantern floats called kiriko on the opening day of the two-day Abare festival, dating back to the Edo era (1603-1868), in Noto in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa on July 3, 2026.

Lantern festival in central Japan town

Lantern festival in central Japan town

People carry giant lantern floats called kiriko on the opening day of the two-day Abare festival, dating back to the Edo era (1603-1868), in Noto in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa on July 3, 2026.

5th anniversary of Atami landslide

5th anniversary of Atami landslide

People attend a memorial service in Atami in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on July 3, 2026, the fifth anniversary of a deadly landslide caused by heavy rain.

5th anniversary of Atami landslide

5th anniversary of Atami landslide

Relatives of victims offer silent prayers at the site of a house hit by a deadly landslide five years ago in Atami in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on July 3, 2026, around the time the tragedy occurred.

5th anniversary of Atami landslide

5th anniversary of Atami landslide

Relatives of victims offer silent prayers at the site of a house hit by a deadly landslide five years ago in Atami in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on July 3, 2026, around the time the tragedy occurred.

5th anniversary of Atami landslide

5th anniversary of Atami landslide

People observe a moment of silence during a memorial service in Atami in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on July 3, 2026, the fifth anniversary of a deadly landslide caused by heavy rain.

Seaweed harvesting season starts in central Japan

Seaweed harvesting season starts in central Japan

Female divers, known as ama in Japanese, harvest mozuku seaweed off Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on July 1, 2026, the opening day of the year's collecting season.

Seaweed harvesting season starts in central Japan

Seaweed harvesting season starts in central Japan

Fishing boats carrying female divers, known as ama in Japanese, sail from a port in Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, to harvest mozuku seaweed on July 1, 2026, the opening day of the year's collecting season.

Mt. Fuji in climbing season

Mt. Fuji in climbing season

A ritual to cut a sacred shimenawa rope tied to a torii gate is held during the opening ceremony of the Subashiri route in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on Mt. Fuji on July 1, 2026, as the official climbing season began for Japan's highest mountain, straddling Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures. The route is open through Sept. 10.

Imperial succession

Imperial succession

Hirofumi Nakasone, head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's constitutional reform headquarters, delivers a speech in Takaoka in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, on June 28, 2026, saying Princess Aiko cannot become emperor under Japan's current succession law.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over quake-hit Wajima

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over quake-hit Wajima

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on June 28, 2026, to cheer up people affected by the massive 2024 earthquake and heavy rain that struck the Noto Peninsula and surrounding areas, still under reconstruction.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over quake-hit Wajima

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over quake-hit Wajima

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on June 28, 2026, to cheer up people affected by the massive 2024 earthquake and heavy rain that struck the Noto Peninsula and surrounding areas, still under reconstruction.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over quake-hit Wajima

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over quake-hit Wajima

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on June 28, 2026, to cheer up people affected by the massive 2024 earthquake and heavy rain that struck the Noto Peninsula and surrounding areas, still under reconstruction.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over quake-hit Wajima

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over quake-hit Wajima

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on June 28, 2026, to cheer up people affected by the massive 2024 earthquake and heavy rain that struck the Noto Peninsula and surrounding areas, still under reconstruction.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over quake-hit Wajima

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over quake-hit Wajima

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on June 28, 2026, to cheer up people affected by the massive 2024 earthquake and heavy rain that struck the Noto Peninsula and surrounding areas, still under reconstruction.

Strong earthquake in Yamanashi Pref.

Strong earthquake in Yamanashi Pref.

Debris from the collapsed wall of a building is scattered on a street in Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, on June 26, 2026, after a magnitude-5.6 earthquake jolted the central Japan city west of Tokyo.

Strong earthquake in Yamanashi Pref.

Strong earthquake in Yamanashi Pref.

Police officers remove debris from the collapsed wall of a building in Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, on June 26, 2026, after a magnitude-5.6 earthquake jolted the central Japan city west of Tokyo.

Strong earthquake in Yamanashi Pref.

Strong earthquake in Yamanashi Pref.

Police officers remove debris from the collapsed wall of a building in Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, on June 26, 2026, after a magnitude-5.6 earthquake jolted the central Japan city west of Tokyo.

Strong earthquake in Yamanashi Pref.

Strong earthquake in Yamanashi Pref.

Debris from the collapsed wall of a building is scattered on a street in Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, on June 26, 2026, after a magnitude-5.6 earthquake jolted the central Japan city west of Tokyo.

Strong earthquake in Yamanashi Pref.

Strong earthquake in Yamanashi Pref.

Debris from the collapsed wall of a building is scattered on a street in Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, on June 26, 2026, after a magnitude-5.6 earthquake jolted the central Japan city west of Tokyo.

Strong earthquake in Yamanashi Pref.

Strong earthquake in Yamanashi Pref.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at her office in Tokyo on June 26, 2026, after a magnitude-5.6 earthquake jolted Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan.

Strong earthquake in Yamanashi Pref.

Strong earthquake in Yamanashi Pref.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at her office in Tokyo on June 26, 2026, after a magnitude-5.6 earthquake jolted Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan.

Water release at central Japan dam

Water release at central Japan dam

Annual water release begins at Kurobe Dam, a popular tourist spot surrounded by the Northern Alps, in the Toyama Prefecture town of Tateyama, central Japan, on June 26, 2026.

Water release at central Japan dam

Water release at central Japan dam

Annual water release begins at Kurobe Dam, a popular tourist spot surrounded by the Northern Alps, in the Toyama Prefecture town of Tateyama, central Japan, on June 26, 2026.

Water release at central Japan dam

Water release at central Japan dam

Annual water release begins at Kurobe Dam, a popular tourist spot surrounded by the Northern Alps, in the Toyama Prefecture town of Tateyama, central Japan, on June 26, 2026.

[Breaking News]Shinkansen bullet train services suspended after incident

NAGOYA, Japan, June 19 Kyodo - JR Nagoya Station in Nagoya, central Japan, is crowded with passengers on June 19, 2026, after services on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line bullet trains were suspended following an incident in which a person entered the tracks at Hamamatsu Station in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, and was fatally hit. (Kyodo)

Shinkansen bullet train services suspended after incident

Shinkansen bullet train services suspended after incident

JR Nagoya Station in Nagoya, central Japan, is crowded with passengers on June 19, 2026, after services on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line bullet trains were suspended following an incident in which a person entered the tracks at Hamamatsu Station in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, and was fatally hit.

Shinkansen bullet train services suspended after incident

Shinkansen bullet train services suspended after incident

JR Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka, western Japan, is crowded with passengers on June 19, 2026, after services on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line bullet trains were suspended following an incident in which a person entered the tracks at Hamamatsu Station in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, and was fatally hit.

Shinkansen bullet train services suspended after incident

Shinkansen bullet train services suspended after incident

JR Nagoya Station in Nagoya, central Japan, is crowded with passengers on June 19, 2026, after services on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line bullet trains were suspended following an incident in which a person entered the tracks at Hamamatsu Station in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, and was fatally hit.

Shinkansen bullet train services suspended after incident

Shinkansen bullet train services suspended after incident

Passengers look at an information board at JR Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka, western Japan, on June 19, 2026, after services on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line bullet trains were suspended following an incident in which a person entered the tracks at Hamamatsu Station in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, and was fatally hit.

Toyota shareholders' meeting

Toyota shareholders' meeting

People head to the venue of a general shareholders' meeting of Toyota Motor Corp. on June 17, 2026, in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan.

Toyota shareholders' meeting

Toyota shareholders' meeting

People head to the venue of a general shareholders' meeting of Toyota Motor Corp. on June 17, 2026, in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan.

Toyota President Kon

Toyota President Kon

Kenta Kon (back, L), president of Toyota Motor Corp., meets the press after the company held a general shareholders meeting in Toyota in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on June 17, 2026.

Toyota President Kon

Toyota President Kon

Kenta Kon, president of Toyota Motor Corp., meets the press after the company held a general shareholders meeting in Toyota in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on June 17, 2026.

Scenic road in central Japan

Scenic road in central Japan

Vehicles drive along the Hakusan Shirakawago White Road in Hakusan in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on June 12, 2026. The scenic road fully reopened to traffic the same day after a seven-month winter closure.

Scenic road in central Japan

Scenic road in central Japan

A car drives along the Hakusan Shirakawago White Road in Shirakawa in Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on June 12, 2026. The scenic road fully reopened to traffic the same day after a seven-month winter closure.

[Breaking News]GSDF conducts artillery drill in Shizuoka Pref.

GOTEMBA, Japan, June 8 Kyodo - The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conducts an annual live-fire artillery drill at the GSDF's East Fuji Maneuver Area in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on June 7, 2026. (Kyodo)

Traditional parade in Kanazawa

Traditional parade in Kanazawa

Firefighters climb bamboo ladders in a Kagatobi ladder-climbing performance during a traditional parade at the Hyakumangoku Festival in Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on June 6, 2026, reenacting 16th-century warlord Maeda Toshiie's entry into Kanazawa Castle.

Traditional parade in Kanazawa

Traditional parade in Kanazawa

Drummers perform during a traditional parade of the Hyakumangoku Festival in Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on June 6, 2026, reenacting 16th-century warlord Maeda Toshiie's entry into Kanazawa Castle.

GSDF conducts artillery drill in Shizuoka Pref.

GSDF conducts artillery drill in Shizuoka Pref.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (C) speaks ahead of an annual live-fire artillery drill at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's East Fuji Maneuver Area in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on June 7, 2026.

GSDF conducts artillery drill in Shizuoka Pref.

GSDF conducts artillery drill in Shizuoka Pref.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks ahead of an annual live-fire artillery drill at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's East Fuji Maneuver Area in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on June 7, 2026.

GSDF conducts artillery drill in Shizuoka Pref.

GSDF conducts artillery drill in Shizuoka Pref.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi waves as he observes an annual live-fire artillery drill at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's East Fuji Maneuver Area in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on June 7, 2026.

GSDF conducts artillery drill in Shizuoka Pref.

GSDF conducts artillery drill in Shizuoka Pref.

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conducts an annual live-fire artillery drill at the GSDF's East Fuji Maneuver Area in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on June 7, 2026.

GSDF conducts artillery drill in Shizuoka Pref.

GSDF conducts artillery drill in Shizuoka Pref.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (C) speaks to members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during his visit to an annual live-fire artillery drill at the GSDF's East Fuji Maneuver Area in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on June 7, 2026.

GSDF conducts artillery drill in Shizuoka Pref.

GSDF conducts artillery drill in Shizuoka Pref.

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force conducts an annual live-fire artillery drill at the GSDF's East Fuji Maneuver Area in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on June 7, 2026.

Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Crested ibises released into wild on Japan's main island

Photo shows one of the eight Japanese crested ibises released into the wild in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on May 31, 2026, marking the first presence of the birds, designated as natural treasures, on the country's main island in 56 years. The number of wild crested ibises had tumbled due to overhunting, with the last one on the main island of Honshu captured in 1970. (Pool photo)