Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Baseball: Japan team ahead of WBC

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (L) and Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki, members of Japan's national team, attend a press conference in Nagoya, central Japan, on Feb. 26, 2026, ahead of the World Baseball Classic in March. (Pool photo)

Tokyo SkyTree reopens after elevator halt

Tokyo SkyTree reopens after elevator halt

Staff members of Tokyo SkyTree tower announce the reopening of its observation deck to visitors on Feb. 26, 2026, after a three-day suspension due to an elevator malfunction. Twenty visitors were trapped for more than five hours starting on the night of Feb. 22 when an elevator stopped about 30 meters above street level while descending from the 350-meter-high observation deck.

Figure skating: Kagiyama and Sato

Figure skating: Kagiyama and Sato

Yuma Kagiyama (L) and Shun Sato of Japan pose for a photo before their departure from Milan Malpensa Airport on Feb. 23, 2026, after winning silver and bronze medals, respectively, in the men's figure skating event at the Milan Cortina Olympics. They also won silver medals as members of team Japan in the Team event at the Winter Games. (Pool photo)

Figure skating: Kagiyama and Sato

Figure skating: Kagiyama and Sato

Yuma Kagiyama (L) and Shun Sato of Japan pose for a photo before their departure from Milan Malpensa Airport on Feb. 23, 2026, after winning silver and bronze medals, respectively, in the men's figure skating event at the Milan Cortina Olympics. They also won silver medals as members of team Japan in the Team event at the Winter Games.

Japanese emperor's 66th birthday

Japanese emperor's 66th birthday

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (3rd from L), Empress Masako (4th from L) and other members of the Imperial family wave from a balcony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Feb. 23, 2026, as they greet a crowd gathered to celebrate the emperor's 66th birthday.

Japanese emperor's 66th birthday

Japanese emperor's 66th birthday

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (3rd from L), Empress Masako (4th from L) and other members of the Imperial family wave from a balcony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Feb. 23, 2026, as they greet a crowd gathered to celebrate the emperor's 66th birthday.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Members of the Swedish women's curling team celebrate after winning gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 22, 2026, at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Members of the Swedish women's curling team pose after winning gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 22, 2026, at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Members of the Swiss women's curling team is pictured after losing to Sweden in the final at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 22, 2026, at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Members of the Swiss women's curling team is pictured after losing to Sweden in the final at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 22, 2026, at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Members of the Swedish women's curling team celebrate after beating Switzerland in the final to win gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 22, 2026, at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Members of the Swedish women's curling team celebrate after beating Switzerland in the final to win gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 22, 2026, at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Members of the Swedish women's curling team celebrate after beating Switzerland in the final to win gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 22, 2026, at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Members of the Swedish women's curling team celebrate after beating Switzerland in the final to win gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 22, 2026, at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Members of the Swedish women's curling team celebrate after beating Switzerland in the final to win gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 22, 2026, at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Members of the Swedish women's curling team celebrate after beating Switzerland in the final to win gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 22, 2026, at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Members of the Swedish women's curling team celebrate after beating Switzerland in the final to win gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 22, 2026, at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Members of the Italian figure skating team are pictured during the exhibition gala of the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 21, 2026, at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Members of the Italian figure skating team are pictured during the exhibition gala of the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 21, 2026, at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Members of the American figure skating team are pictured during the exhibition gala of the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 21, 2026, at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Members of the American figure skating team are pictured during the exhibition gala of the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 21, 2026, at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Members of the American figure skating team pose after performing in the exhibition gala of the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 21, 2026, at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Members of the American figure skating team acknowledge the crowd after performing in the exhibition gala of the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 21, 2026, at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Members of the Canadian men's curling team pose after winning gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 21, 2026, at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Milan Cortina Olympics: Curling

Members of the Canadian men's curling team celebrate after beating Britain in the final to win gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 21, 2026, at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Short track speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Short track speed skating

Members of the Dutch short track speed skating team celebrate after winning gold in the men's 5,000-meter relay at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 20, 2026, at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Short track speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Short track speed skating

Members of the Dutch short track speed skating team celebrate after winning gold in the men's 5,000-meter relay at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 20, 2026, at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan.

New Takaichi Cabinet inaugurated

New Takaichi Cabinet inaugurated

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front, C) and her Cabinet members pose for a photo at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo after being inaugurated in a ceremony with Emperor Naruhito following her reelection as Japan's prime minister in parliament on Feb. 18, 2026.

New Takaichi Cabinet inaugurated

New Takaichi Cabinet inaugurated

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front row, C) poses for a photo at the premier's office in Tokyo with her Cabinet members after her new Cabinet was inaugurated following her reelection as Japan's prime minister in parliament on Feb. 18, 2026.

New Takaichi Cabinet inaugurated

New Takaichi Cabinet inaugurated

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front row, C) poses for a photo at the premier's office in Tokyo with her Cabinet members after her new Cabinet was inaugurated following her reelection as Japan's prime minister in parliament on Feb. 18, 2026.

New Takaichi Cabinet inaugurated

New Takaichi Cabinet inaugurated

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front row, C) poses for a photo at the premier's office in Tokyo with her Cabinet members after her new Cabinet was inaugurated following her reelection as Japan's prime minister in parliament on Feb. 18, 2026.

New Takaichi Cabinet inaugurated

New Takaichi Cabinet inaugurated

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front row, C) poses for a photo at the premier's office in Tokyo with her Cabinet members after her new Cabinet was inaugurated following her reelection as Japan's prime minister in parliament on Feb. 18, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Japanese speed skater Miho Takagi (far R) takes a selfie with other Japanese women's team pursuit members (R) as well as Canadian (C) and Dutch members during the medal ceremony at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 17, 2026, at Milano Speed Skating Stadium.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Canadian women's speed skating team pursuit members (C) pose on the podium after winning gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 17, 2026, at Milano Speed Skating Stadium, alongside Dutch (L) and Japanese team members, who won silver and bronze, respectively.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Canadian women's speed skating team pursuit members (C) pose after winning gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 17, 2026, at Milano Speed Skating Stadium, alongside Dutch (L) and Japanese team members, who won silver and bronze, respectively.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Canadian women's speed skating team pursuit members (C) stand on the podium after winning gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 17, 2026, at Milano Speed Skating Stadium, alongside Dutch (L) and Japanese team members, who won silver and bronze, respectively.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Canadian women's speed skating team pursuit members (C) stand on the podium after winning gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 17, 2026, at Milano Speed Skating Stadium, alongside Dutch (L) and Japanese team members, who won silver and bronze, respectively.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Japanese women's speed skating team pursuit members huddle after winning bronze at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 17, 2026, at Milano Speed Skating Stadium.

Families of abductees meet with PM Takaichi

Families of abductees meet with PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) speaks during a meeting with members of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Feb. 16, 2026.

Families of abductees meet with PM Takaichi

Families of abductees meet with PM Takaichi

Takuya Yokota, head of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, meets the press following a meeting between members of the group and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Feb. 16, 2026. His elder sister Megumi was abducted by North Korea in 1977 at age 13.

China: Chaos Ensues as Cats Run Wild in Animal Clinic in Shandong

On February 2, 2026, in eastern China’s Shandong province, a video recorded chaos inside an animal treatment area. Staff members were operating equipment on a workstation. Several cats suddenly jumped into the area. One leapt onto the desk and knocked over a computer, while another jumped directly into a trash bin. A third cat ran across the floor, overturning items. Staff members scrambled to catch the cats and restore order.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Snowboard

Milan Cortina Olympics: Snowboard

(From L, front) Japanese snowboarders Ayumu Hirano, Ryusei Yamada, Yuto Totsuka, Sara Shimizu, Kudo Rise and Sena Tomita pose alongside staff members after the men's snowboard halfpipe final at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 13, 2026, at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy. Hirano was seventh, while Totsuka won the gold medal and Yamada the bronze.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Snowboard

Milan Cortina Olympics: Snowboard

(From L, front) Japanese snowboarders Ayumu Hirano, Ryusei Yamada and Yuto Totsuka pose alongside staff members after the men's snowboard halfpipe final at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 13, 2026, at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy. Hirano was seventh, while Totsuka won the gold medal and Yamada the bronze.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Snowboard

Milan Cortina Olympics: Snowboard

(From L, front) Japanese snowboarders Ayumu Hirano, Ryusei Yamada, Yuto Totsuka, Sara Shimizu, Kudo Rise and Sena Tomita pose alongside staff members after the men's snowboard halfpipe final at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 13, 2026, at Livigno Snow Park in Livigno, Italy. Hirano was seventh, while Totsuka won the gold medal and Yamada the bronze.

"Comfort women" statue in Seoul

"Comfort women" statue in Seoul

Members of a South Korean citizens' group rally on Feb. 11, 2026, in front of a statue in Seoul symbolizing "comfort women" forced to work in Japanese wartime military brothels, calling on the Japanese government to apologize.

"Comfort women" statue in Seoul

"Comfort women" statue in Seoul

Members of a South Korean citizens' group rally on Feb. 11, 2026, in front of a statue in Seoul symbolizing "comfort women" forced to work in Japanese wartime military brothels, calling on the Japanese government to apologize.

"Comfort women" statue in Seoul

"Comfort women" statue in Seoul

Members of a South Korean citizens' group rally on Feb. 11, 2026, in front of a statue in Seoul symbolizing "comfort women" forced to work in Japanese wartime military brothels, calling on the Japanese government to apologize.

25th anniv. of U.S. sub's collision with school boat

25th anniv. of U.S. sub's collision with school boat

Students of Uwajima Fisheries High School offer flowers during a memorial service at the school in Uwajima in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, on Feb. 10, 2026, marking the 25th anniversary of a fatal accident in which the U.S. Navy submarine Greeneville collided with the institution's training boat Ehime Maru off Hawaii. Among the 35 people aboard the Japanese training vessel, four students, two teachers and three crew members were killed.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Members of the Italy team react to the score of Matteo Rizzo (bottom, blue) after his performance in the men's free program during the figure skating team event at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 8, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating

Riku Miura (C, front) and Ryuichi Kihara (L, front) react to their scores in the kiss and cry area with other members of the Japan team after performing in the pairs free program during the figure skating team event at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 8, 2026.