Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi is pictured before holding a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 21, 2026. Earlier in the day, Japan hanged Sunao Takami, who was convicted of killing five people in an arson attack on a pachinko parlor in the western Japanese city of Osaka in 2009.

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi holds a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 21, 2026, after the country hanged Sunao Takami, who was convicted of killing five people in an arson attack on a pachinko parlor in the western Japanese city of Osaka in 2009.

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi holds a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 21, 2026, after the country hanged Sunao Takami, who was convicted of killing five people in an arson attack on a pachinko parlor in the western Japanese city of Osaka in 2009.

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi holds a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 21, 2026, after the country hanged Sunao Takami, who was convicted of killing five people in an arson attack on a pachinko parlor in the western Japanese city of Osaka in 2009.

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi holds a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 21, 2026, after the country hanged Sunao Takami, who was convicted of killing five people in an arson attack on a pachinko parlor in the western Japanese city of Osaka in 2009.

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

Japanese Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi holds a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on Aug. 21, 2026, after the country hanged Sunao Takami, who was convicted of killing five people in an arson attack on a pachinko parlor in the western Japanese city of Osaka in 2009.

Robot conference in Beijing

BEIJING, China, Aug. 20 Kyodo - A robot carries a box on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products. (Kyodo)

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

Humanoid robots developed by Unitree Robotics fight each other on the second day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 20, 2026.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

Robots developed by Unitree Robotics dance on the second day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 20, 2026.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

Humanoid robots developed by Unitree Robotics dance on the second day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 20, 2026.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

Humanoid robots developed by Unitree Robotics dance on the second day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 20, 2026.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A robot washes a dish on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

Robots developed by Unitree Robotics perform on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A robot carries a box on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A robot peels a cucumber on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A robot peels a banana on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A robot developed by Unitree Robotics (back) is on display on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A robot walks carrying a woman on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A robot developed by Unitree Robotics is on display on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

People walk dog robots on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A humanoid robot plays football with a child on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A humanoid robot plays football with a child on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

Robots developed by Unitree Robotics perform on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A robot developed by Unitree Robotics plays table tennis on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A humanoid robot talks to a visitor on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A robot threads a needle on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A robot threads a needle on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Robot conference in Beijing

Robot conference in Beijing

A robot takes a fighting stance on the opening day of the five-day World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19, 2026. About 300 companies including non-Chinese firms are exhibiting some 2,000 robots and related products.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman

BEIJING, China, Aug. 18 Kyodo - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian speaks during a press conference in Beijing on Aug. 17, 2026. (Kyodo)

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian speaks during a press conference in Beijing on Aug. 17, 2026.

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Japanese Princess Aiko arrives at the venue of the 37th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors in Tokyo on Aug. 17, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Japanese Princess Aiko arrives at the venue of the 37th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors in Tokyo on Aug. 17, 2026. (Pool photo) ==Kyodo

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Japanese Princess Aiko speaks during the opening ceremony of the 37th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors in Tokyo on Aug. 17, 2026.

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Japanese Princess Aiko attends the opening ceremony of the 37th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors in Tokyo on Aug. 17, 2026.

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Japanese Princess Aiko (R) attends the opening ceremony of the 37th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors in Tokyo on Aug. 17, 2026.

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Japanese Princess Aiko attends the opening ceremony of the 37th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors in Tokyo on Aug. 17, 2026.

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Japanese Princess Aiko attends the opening ceremony of the 37th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors in Tokyo on Aug. 17, 2026.

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Japanese Princess Aiko speaks during the opening ceremony of the 37th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors in Tokyo on Aug. 17, 2026.

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Japanese Princess Aiko speaks during the opening ceremony of the 37th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors in Tokyo on Aug. 17, 2026.

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Japanese Princess Aiko speaks during the opening ceremony of the 37th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors in Tokyo on Aug. 17, 2026.

H3 rocket launch

MINAMITANE, Japan, Aug. 12 Kyodo - Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency head Hiroshi Yamakawa holds a press conference at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 11, 2026, following the successful launch of H3 rocket No. 9 carrying the Michibiki No. 7 positioning satellite. (Kyodo)

Philippine president meets press

Philippine president meets press

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. holds a press conference in Manila on Aug. 14, 2026.

CORRECTED: Japan crown prince ahead of trip to Paraguay

CORRECTED: Japan crown prince ahead of trip to Paraguay

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito speaks during a press conference at the Akasaka East Residence in Tokyo ahead of his official trip to Paraguay. Crown Princess Kiko will accompany him during the trip from Aug. 18 to 26 marking the 90th anniversary of Japanese immigration to the South American country. (Pool photo)

Japan crown prince ahead of trip to Paraguay

Japan crown prince ahead of trip to Paraguay

Japan's Crown Prince Akishino speaks during a press conference at the Akasaka East Residence in Tokyo ahead of his official trip to Paraguay. Crown Princess Kiko will accompany him during the trip from Aug. 18 to 26 marking the 90th anniversary of Japanese immigration to the South American country. (Pool photo)

CORRECTED: Japan crown prince ahead of trip to Paraguay

CORRECTED: Japan crown prince ahead of trip to Paraguay

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito speaks during a press conference at the Akasaka East Residence in Tokyo ahead of his official trip to Paraguay. Crown Princess Kiko will accompany him during the trip from Aug. 18 to 26 marking the 90th anniversary of Japanese immigration to the South American country. (Pool photo)

CORRECTED: Japan crown prince ahead of trip to Paraguay

CORRECTED: Japan crown prince ahead of trip to Paraguay

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito speaks during a press conference at the Akasaka East Residence in Tokyo ahead of his official trip to Paraguay. Crown Princess Kiko will accompany him during the trip from Aug. 18 to 26 marking the 90th anniversary of Japanese immigration to the South American country. (Pool photo)

H3 rocket launch

H3 rocket launch

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency head Hiroshi Yamakawa holds a press conference at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 11, 2026, following the successful launch of H3 rocket No. 9 carrying the Michibiki No. 7 positioning satellite.

H3 rocket launch

H3 rocket launch

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency head Hiroshi Yamakawa (R) holds a press conference at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 11, 2026, following the successful launch of H3 rocket No. 9 carrying the Michibiki No. 7 positioning satellite.

[Breaking News]Basketball: Hachimura meets press in Nagoya

NAGOYA, Japan, Aug. 6 Kyodo - NBA star Rui Hachimura speaks during a press conference at IG Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Aug. 6, 2026. Hachimura, who recently joined the Los Angeles Clippers, said he wants to play for Japan at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. (Kyodo)

A-bomb survivors' group marks 70th anniv. of founding

A-bomb survivors' group marks 70th anniv. of founding

Terumi Tanaka, co-chair of 2024 Nobel Peace Prize winner Nihon Hidankyo, Japan's leading organization of atomic bomb survivors, holds a press conference in Nagasaki on Aug. 10, 2026, to mark the 70th anniversary of the organization's founding. The group was inaugurated on Aug. 10, 1956 -- a day after Nagasaki marked the 11th anniversary of its U.S. atomic bombing -- when the second world anti-nuclear weapons conference was taking place in the southwestern Japan city.