[Breaking News]Quake-damaged paper plant in Kumamoto on fire

YATSUSHIRO, Japan, Sept. 3 Kyodo - Smoke rises from Nippon Paper Industries Co.'s earthquake-damaged mill in Yatsushiro in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Sept. 3, 2026. A chimney at the plant was under demolition following a massive quake in the region on July 28 that killed nine plant workers. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Japan PM Takaichi, defense minister Koizumi

TOKYO, Japan, Sept. 2 Kyodo - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi receive a guard of honor at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Sept. 2, 2026, as they meet senior members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces during an annual meeting. (Pool photo) (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Japan 10-year gov't bond yield hits 3.000%

TOKYO, Japan, Sept. 2 Kyodo - A financial monitor in Tokyo shows the yield on Japan's benchmark 10-year government bond hitting 3.000 percent on Sept. 1, 2026, the first time since October 1996. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]USJ eyes park expansion

OSAKA, Japan, Aug. 28 Kyodo - Video taken on Aug. 28, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, western Japan. The operator of the USJ is considering acquiring an additional 60,000-square-meter lot, the former site of a Nippon Steel Corp. plant (back), to expand the theme park amid booming inbound tourism. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Torrential rain in central Japan

HAKUI, Japan, Aug. 28 Kyodo - Video taken Aug. 27, 2026, shows a submerged vehicle in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Tokyo Toy Show opens at Tokyo Big Sight

TOKYO, Japan, Aug. 27 Kyodo - Video shows the opening ceremony of 2026 Tokyo Toy Show at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo on Aug. 27, 2026. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Torrential rain in central Japan

HIMI, Japan, Aug. 27 Kyodo - A man walks on a flooded street in Himi in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 27, 2026, following torrential rain. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Yokohama mayor to step down

YOKOHAMA, Japan, Aug. 28 Kyodo - Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka holds a press conference at the city office in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Aug. 28, 2026. Yamanaka announced that he will step down from his post, following allegations that he bullied and verbally assaulted subordinates. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Yokohama mayor to step down

YOKOHAMA, Japan, Aug. 28 Kyodo - Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka bows at a press conference at the city office in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Aug. 28, 2026. Yamanaka announced that he will step down from his post, following allegations that he bullied and verbally assaulted subordinates. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Large fire near Ise Jingu shrine

ISE, Japan, Sept. 1 Kyodo - Smoke rises from a shopping arcade near Ise Jingu shrine in Ise in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 31, 2026. (Kyodo)

Large fire near Ise Jingu shrine

Large fire near Ise Jingu shrine

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 31, 2026, shows smoke rising from a shopping arcade near Ise Jingu shrine in Ise in Mie Prefecture, central Japan.

Large fire near Ise Jingu shrine

Large fire near Ise Jingu shrine

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 31, 2026, shows smoke rising from a shopping arcade near Ise Jingu shrine in Ise in Mie Prefecture, central Japan.

Large fire near Ise Jingu shrine

Large fire near Ise Jingu shrine

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 31, 2026, shows smoke rising from a shopping arcade near Ise Jingu shrine in Ise in Mie Prefecture, central Japan.

Large fire near Ise Jingu shrine

Large fire near Ise Jingu shrine

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 31, 2026, shows smoke rising from a shopping arcade near Ise Jingu shrine in Ise in Mie Prefecture, central Japan.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 30, 2026, shows Fukui Airport in Sakai in the central Japan prefecture of Fukui inundated following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 30, 2026, shows wide parts of Sakai, in the central Japan prefecture of Fukui, inundated following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 30, 2026, shows wide parts of Sakai, in the central Japan prefecture of Fukui, inundated following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 30, 2026, shows wide parts of Sakai, in the central Japan prefecture of Fukui, inundated following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 30, 2026, shows an inundated area in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 30, 2026, shows an inundated area in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 30, 2026, shows an inundated area in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 30, 2026, shows an inundated area in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 30, 2026, shows an inundated area in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 30, 2026, shows an inundated area in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 30, 2026, shows an inundated area in Sakai in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Aftermath of torrential rain in central Japan

Aftermath of torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows heavy machinery repairing a collapsed river embankment following torrential rain in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 28, 2026.

Aftermath of torrential rain in central Japan

Aftermath of torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows heavy machinery repairing a collapsed river embankment following torrential rain in Hakui in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 28, 2026.

USJ eyes park expansion

USJ eyes park expansion

Photo taken on Aug. 28, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, western Japan. The operator of the USJ is considering acquiring an additional 60,000-square-meter lot, the former site of a Nippon Steel Corp. plant (back), to expand the theme park amid booming inbound tourism.

USJ eyes park expansion

USJ eyes park expansion

Photo taken on Aug. 28, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, western Japan. The operator of the USJ is considering acquiring an additional 60,000-square-meter lot, the former site of a Nippon Steel Corp. plant (L), to expand the theme park amid booming inbound tourism.

USJ eyes park expansion

USJ eyes park expansion

Photo taken on Aug. 28, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, western Japan. The operator of the USJ is considering acquiring an additional 60,000-square-meter lot, the former site of a Nippon Steel Corp. plant (front), to expand the theme park amid booming inbound tourism.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 28, 2026, shows submerged houses in Himi in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 28, 2026, shows rescuers riding on a boat in a submerged area in Himi in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 28, 2026, shows a submerged road and a river in Himi in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 28, 2026, shows rescuers riding on a boat in a submerged area in Himi in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 28, 2026, shows a submerged area in Himi in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 28, 2026, shows a submerged area in Himi in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 28, 2026, shows a submerged area in Himi in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

Torrential rain in central Japan

Torrential rain in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Aug. 28, 2026, shows a submerged area in Himi in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, following torrential rain.

[Breaking News]World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing

BEIJING, China, Aug. 24 Kyodo - A humanoid robot of Japan's GMO Internet Group, developed by China's Unitree Robotics, competes in a 400-meter race during the second World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing on Aug. 23, 2026. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Japanese Justice Minister Hiraguchi after execution

TOKYO, Japan, Aug. 21 Kyodo - 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. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Asian Games: Torch relay

NAGOYA, Japan, Aug. 23 Kyodo - Three-time Olympic women's wrestling gold medalist Saori Yoshida starts as the first runner of the Asian Games torch relay at Nagoya Castle in Nagoya, central Japan, on Aug. 22, 2026. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]4 workers die after being hit by express train north of Tokyo

KANUMA, Japan, Aug. 20 Kyodo - Video taken on Aug. 20, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a Spacia X express train bound for Tokyo parked at Tobu Nikko Line Shin-Kanuma Station in Kanuma in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, after hitting four workers who were on the tracks to remove weeds. The four were taken to a hospital and confirmed dead. None of the crew or passengers was injured. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Japanese delegation for Asian Games formed in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan, Aug. 20 Kyodo - Athletes representing Japan at the Asian Games take part in a ceremony to form the Japanese delegation held at a hotel in Tokyo on Aug. 19, 2026, ahead of the Sept. 19-Oct. 4 games being held mainly in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan. (Kyodo)

4 workers die after being hit by express train north of Tokyo

4 workers die after being hit by express train north of Tokyo

Photo taken on Aug. 20, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a Spacia X express train bound for Tokyo parked at Tobu Nikko Line Shin-Kanuma Station in Kanuma in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, after hitting four workers who were on the tracks to remove weeds. The four were taken to a hospital and confirmed dead. None of the crew or passengers was injured.

4 workers die after being hit by express train north of Tokyo

4 workers die after being hit by express train north of Tokyo

Photo taken on Aug. 20, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a Spacia X express train bound for Tokyo parked at Tobu Nikko Line Shin-Kanuma Station in Kanuma in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, after hitting four workers who were on the tracks to remove weeds. The four were taken to a hospital and confirmed dead. None of the crew or passengers was injured.

4 workers die after being hit by express train north of Tokyo

4 workers die after being hit by express train north of Tokyo

Photo taken on Aug. 20, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a Spacia X express train bound for Tokyo parked at Tobu Nikko Line Shin-Kanuma Station in Kanuma in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, after hitting four workers who were on the tracks to remove weeds. The four were taken to a hospital and confirmed dead. None of the crew or passengers was injured.

[Breaking News]Asian Games torch-lighting ceremony

TOKYO, Japan, Aug. 18 Kyodo - Japanese sprinter Yoshihide Kiryu lights the torch for the Asian Games at MUFG Stadium in Tokyo on Aug. 18, 2026. The torch relay is set to begin at Nagoya Castle in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, on Aug. 22 for the Sept. 19-Oct. 4 games being held mainly in the central Japan prefecture. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Japan's 10-year gov't bond yield hits 2.930%

TOKYO, Japan, July 17 Kyodo - A financial monitor in Tokyo shows the yield on Japan's newly issued benchmark 10-year government bond hitting 2.930 percent on the morning of Aug. 17, 2026, its highest level since October 1996, amid growing speculation of early credit tightening by the Bank of Japan. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

TOKYO, Japan, Aug. 18 Kyodo - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi walks past Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako after delivering her speech at a memorial ceremony for the war dead at Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Aftermath of torrential rain in eastern Japan

OAMISHIRASATO, Japan, Aug. 14 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a residential area submerged in floodwater in Oamishirasato in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, on Aug. 14, 2026, after torrential rain overnight. (Kyodo)