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Lawmakers at Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine

Lawmakers at Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine

Ichiro Aisawa (C), who heads a cross-party group of Japanese lawmakers, speaks during a press conference after the group visited the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on April 22, 2026, during its three-day spring festival.

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Lawmakers at Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine

Lawmakers at Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine

Minoru Kiuchi (R), Japanese economic and fiscal policy minister, meets the press after visiting the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on April 22, 2026, during its three-day spring festival.

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Lawmakers at Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine

Lawmakers at Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine

A cross-party group of Japanese lawmakers visits the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on the occasion of its three-day spring festival on April 22, 2026.

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Japanese lawmaker visits Yasukuni shrine

Japanese lawmaker visits Yasukuni shrine

Fumitake Fujita, co-leader of the Japan Innovation Party, a ruling coalition partner of the Liberal Democratic Party, visits the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, the first day of the three-day spring festival.

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Japanese lawmaker visits Yasukuni shrine

Japanese lawmaker visits Yasukuni shrine

Fumitake Fujita, co-leader of the Japan Innovation Party, a ruling coalition partner of the Liberal Democratic Party, visits the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, the first day of the three-day spring festival.

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Japanese lawmaker visits Yasukuni shrine

Japanese lawmaker visits Yasukuni shrine

Fumitake Fujita, co-leader of the Japan Innovation Party, a ruling coalition partner of the Liberal Democratic Party, speaks to the press after visiting the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, the first day of the three-day spring festival.

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Japan PM Takaichi's ritual offering to Yasukuni shrine

Japan PM Takaichi's ritual offering to Yasukuni shrine

Photo taken at the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, shows the "masakaki" ritual offering (L) sent by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for the Shinto shrine's three-day spring festival. Takaichi, who had routinely visited the shrine before taking office last October, appears to have sent the offering instead of visiting.

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Japan PM Takaichi's ritual offering to Yasukuni shrine

Japan PM Takaichi's ritual offering to Yasukuni shrine

Photo taken at the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, shows the "masakaki" ritual offering (L) sent by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for the Shinto shrine's three-day spring festival. Takaichi, who had routinely visited the shrine before taking office last October, appears to have sent the offering instead of visiting.

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Yasukuni shrine

Yasukuni shrine

Photo shows the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, the first day of the three-day spring festival.

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Yasukuni shrine

Yasukuni shrine

Photo shows the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, the first day of the three-day spring festival.

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Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

A float is paraded in Takayama in the central Japan prefecture of Gifu on April 14, 2026, the first day of the two-day annual Spring Takayama Festival that was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2016.

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Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Floats are paraded in Takayama in the central Japan prefecture of Gifu on April 14, 2026, the first day of the two-day annual Spring Takayama Festival that was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2016.

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Thailand: People Celebrate New Year With Songkran Water Festival 2

Thailand's iconic water festival, Songkran, marking the Thai New Year, kicked off on Monday, April 13. The festival, a national holiday in Thailand, features the spraying of water, symbolizing cleansing and good fortune. This video was filmed on Silom Road in Bangkok on Monday.

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Thailand: People Celebrate New Year With Songkran Water Festival 3

Thailand's iconic water festival, Songkran, marking the Thai New Year, kicked off on Monday, April 13. The festival, a national holiday in Thailand, features the spraying of water, symbolizing cleansing and good fortune. This video was filmed on Silom Road in Bangkok on Monday.

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Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

A puppet show is performed on a float in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on April 14, 2026, during the Takayama Spring Festival.

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Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Colorful floats are pictured in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on April 14, 2026, during the Takayama Spring Festival.

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Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Colorful floats are carried in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on April 14, 2026, during the Takayama Spring Festival.

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Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

A puppet show is performed on a float in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on April 14, 2026, during the Takayama Spring Festival.

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Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Colorful floats cross a bridge in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on April 14, 2026, the first day of the two-day Takayama Spring Festival.

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Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Colorful floats cross a bridge in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on April 14, 2026, the first day of the two-day Takayama Spring Festival.

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Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

A colorful float parades through streets in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on April 14, 2026, the first day of the two-day Takayama Spring Festival.

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Thailand: People Celebrate New Year With Songkran Water Festival

Thailand's iconic water festival, Songkran, marking the Thai New Year, kicked off on Monday, April 13. The festival, a national holiday in Thailand, features the spraying of water, symbolizing cleansing and good fortune. This video shows scenes from Chiang Rai on Monday.

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Imitation chrysanthemum production in western Japan

TANABE, Japan, April 6 Kyodo - Production of imitation chrysanthemum flowers is under way in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 6, 2026, ahead of a three-day annual festival at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine, starting on April 13. (Kyodo)

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Imitation chrysanthemum production in western Japan

Imitation chrysanthemum production in western Japan

Production of imitation chrysanthemum flowers is under way in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 6, 2026, ahead of a three-day annual festival at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine, starting on April 13.

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Japan: Crows Ruin Rapunzel’s Hair at Tokyo DisneySea

A shocking incident was witnessed at Tokyo DisneySea on April 1, as a couple of crows repeatedly pulled at the hair of a Rapunzel statue at the Rapunzel's Lantern Festival attraction, inspired by the movie Tangled. Despite the relentless pecking leaving her hair disheveled, the Rapunzel figure continued singing atop her tower, creating a surreal and oddly amusing scene. Some visitors expressed sympathy for the statue.

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Japan: Tokyo Peace Fest Draws 1,400 in Protest Against Constitutional Revision and War

Around 1,400 people gathered near Shinjuku Station in Tokyo on Saturday, March 28, for a rally called "Peace Fest — No to War and Dictatorship," where participants sang anime songs related to peace and called for peace and constitutionalism. Demonstrators protested against Prime Minister Takaichi's push for constitutional revision and the incident involving a Self-Defense Forces member who entered the Chinese Embassy.

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US: Chicago Kicks Off St. Patrick’s Day by Dyeing the Chicago River Green

Chicago kicked off the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with the annual tradition of local plumbers unions dyeing the Chicago River green on Saturday, March 14.

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India: Vibrant Festivities Sweep Across Country for Holi 2026, Millions Join in Celebrations

Holi festivities swept across India on Wednesday, March 4, with a splash of color, foot-tapping music, and traditional celebrations. People exchanged sweets to mark the victory of good over evil with a smile. Cities and villages were drenched in vibrant hues as devotees and locals alike celebrated the day with a brilliant display of festive spirit.

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Fire festival at Kongobuji temple

Fire festival at Kongobuji temple

Monks burn wooden tablets in a Buddhist rite during a fire festival held in front of Kongobuji temple located on World Heritage-listed Mt. Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 1, 2026.

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[Breaking News]Japan's "naked festival" leaves 3 unconscious

OKAYAMA, Japan, Feb. 22 Kyodo - Nearly naked men take part in the annual Saidaiji Eyo festival at Saidaiji temple in Okayama, western Japan, on Feb. 21, 2026. Three men became unconscious after the participants, wearing only loincloths, jostled to catch wooden sacred talismans during the traditional event dating back to the Muromachi period (1336-1573). (Kyodo)

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Niigata Int'l Animation Film Festival

Niigata Int'l Animation Film Festival

Philippine animation film director Avid Liongoren, jury president of the Niigata International Animation Film Festival, speaks at its award ceremony on Feb. 25, 2026, in Niigata, northwest of Tokyo.

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Niigata Int'l Animation Film Festival

Niigata Int'l Animation Film Festival

Philippine animation film director Avid Liongoren, jury president of the Niigata International Animation Film Festival, speaks at its award ceremony on Feb. 25, 2026, in Niigata, northwest of Tokyo.

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Japan's "naked festival" leaves 3 unconscious

Japan's "naked festival" leaves 3 unconscious

Nearly naked men take part in the annual Saidaiji Eyo festival at Saidaiji temple in Okayama, western Japan, on Feb. 21, 2026. Three men became unconscious after the participants, wearing only loincloths, jostled to catch wooden sacred talismans during the traditional event dating back to the Muromachi period (1336-1573).

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Zenko-ji temple lit up

Zenko-ji temple lit up

The main hall of Zenko-ji temple in Nagano, central Japan, is lit up on Feb. 20, 2026, as a four-day lantern festival begins.

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China: Firework Displays Light Up Harbin Skies to Celebrate Lunar New Year

Fireworks illuminated the night sky over Harbin as crowds celebrated the start of the 2026 Lunar New Year with cheers and festive excitement. This video was taken at Harbin Ice and Snow World Festival.

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Berlin Int'l Film Festival

Berlin Int'l Film Festival

Japanese film director Yoshitoshi Shinomiya (L) poses for a photo with actor Riku Hagiwara, who voiced one of the protagonists of his anime film "A New Dawn," at the Berlin International Film Festival on Feb. 18, 2026, in the German capital.

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[Breaking News]Fire festival in western Japan

SHINGU, Japan, Feb. 6 Kyodo - A traditional fire festival dating back about 1,400 years is held at Kamikura shrine in Shingu in the western Japan prefecture of Wakayama on Feb. 6, 2026. (Kyodo)

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Boat-racing festival for good haul

KUSHIMOTO, Japan, Feb. 15 Kyodo - Youths participate in a boat-racing event in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Feb. 14, 2026, as part of Minato shrine's annual festival to pray for a good haul and business success. (Kyodo)

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Boat-racing festival for good haul

Boat-racing festival for good haul

Youths participate in a boat-racing event in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Feb. 14, 2026, as part of Minato shrine's annual festival to pray for a good haul and business success.

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Fire festival in western Japan

Fire festival in western Japan

A man wearing an ogre costume takes part in the annual "Dadaoshi" fire festival, dating back 1,000 years, at Hase temple in Sakurai in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Feb. 14, 2026.

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Boat-racing festival for good haul

Boat-racing festival for good haul

Youth participate in a boat-racing event in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Feb. 14, 2026, as part of Minato shrine's annual festival to pray for a good haul and business success.

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Fire festival in western Japan

Fire festival in western Japan

A man wearing an ogre costume takes part in the annual "Dadaoshi" fire festival, dating back 1,000 years, at Hase temple in Sakurai in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Feb. 14, 2026.

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Japan: Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2026 Illuminates City With 15,000 Lanterns

The 2026 Nagasaki Lantern Festival kicked off on February 6, illuminating the city with over 15,000 colorful lanterns to celebrate the Lunar New Year. This major winter tradition, which originated in Nagasaki's Chinatown, features 18 days of vibrant cultural events across central Nagasaki through February 23.

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Japan: Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2026 Illuminates City With 15,000 Lanterns 2

The 2026 Nagasaki Lantern Festival kicked off on February 6, illuminating the city with over 15,000 colorful lanterns to celebrate the Lunar New Year. This major winter tradition, which originated in Nagasaki's Chinatown, features 18 days of vibrant cultural events across central Nagasaki through February 23.

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Lantern festival in Nagasaki

Lantern festival in Nagasaki

A lantern festival is under way in Nagasaki, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 11, 2026, with about 15,000 lanterns illuminating a park near the city's Chinatown.

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Lantern festival in Nagasaki

Lantern festival in Nagasaki

A lantern festival is under way in Nagasaki, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 11, 2026, with about 15,000 lanterns illuminating a park near the city's Chinatown.

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Lantern festival in Nagasaki

Lantern festival in Nagasaki

A lantern festival is under way in Nagasaki, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 11, 2026, with about 15,000 lanterns illuminating a park near the city's Chinatown.

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Lantern festival in Nagasaki

Lantern festival in Nagasaki

A lantern festival is under way in Nagasaki, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 11, 2026, with an 11-meter object representing horses on display at a park near the city's Chinatown as 2026 marks the Year of Horse in the Chinese zodiac.

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Lantern festival in Nagasaki

Lantern festival in Nagasaki

A lantern festival is under way in Nagasaki, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 11, 2026, with an 11-meter object representing horses on display at a park near the city's Chinatown as 2026 marks the Year of Horse in the Chinese zodiac.

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Pakistan: Traditional Basant Kite Festival Returns to Lahore After Past Safety Bans

The ancient Basant festival returned to the streets of Lahore for the first time in nearly two decades, marking the arrival of spring with traditional kite flying. The event was banned in 2007 following years of fatalities and injuries caused by sharp kite strings, falls from rooftops, and aerial firing.

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