[Breaking News]Retired speed skater Takagi in home town parade

MAKUBETSU, Japan, May 11 Kyodo - Retired Japanese speed skater Miho Takagi waves during a parade in her home town of Makubetsu in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 9, 2026. Takagi, 31, a winner of 10 Olympic medals, retired from competition after competing in the Milan Cortina Olympics in February. (Kyodo)

Japan cruise ship Nippon Maru ends final voyage

YOKOHAMA, Japan, May 11 Kyodo - The Japanese cruise ship Nippon Maru returns to Yokohama Port in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on May 10, 2026, after its final voyage, marking the end of 35 years of service. (Kyodo)

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) Holds Press Conference on Partnership with Google

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) Holds Press Conference on Partnership with Google

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) holds a press conference on its partnership with Google. The photo shows Tomoko Mikami, Representative of Google Cloud Japan.=May 7,2026,Tokyo

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) Holds Press Conference on Partnership with Google

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) Holds Press Conference on Partnership with Google

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) holds a press conference on its partnership with Google. The photo shows, from left to right, Tadashi Yamamoto, Senior Managing Executive Officer of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Head of the Retail and Digital Business Division, and Group CDTO, and Tomoko Mikami, Representative of Google Cloud Japan.=May 7,2026,Tokyo

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) Holds Press Conference on Partnership with Google

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) Holds Press Conference on Partnership with Google

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) holds a press conference on its partnership with Google. The photo shows Tomoko Mikami, Representative of Google Cloud Japan.=May 7,2026,Tokyo

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) Holds Press Conference on Partnership with Google

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) Holds Press Conference on Partnership with Google

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) holds a press conference on its partnership with Google. The photo shows, from left to right, Tadashi Yamamoto, Senior Managing Executive Officer of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Head of the Retail and Digital Business Division, and Group CDTO, and Tomoko Mikami, Representative of Google Cloud Japan.=May 7,2026,Tokyo

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) Holds Press Conference on Partnership with Google

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) Holds Press Conference on Partnership with Google

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) holds a press conference on its partnership with Google. The photo shows, from left to right, Tadashi Yamamoto, Senior Managing Executive Officer of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Head of the Retail and Digital Business Division, and Group CDTO, and Tomoko Mikami, Representative of Google Cloud Japan.=May 7,2026,Tokyo

Antarctic Treaty meeting in Hiroshima

Antarctic Treaty meeting in Hiroshima

Ambassador Hideki Uyama (R), from Japan's Foreign Ministry, meets the press in Hiroshima on May 12, 2026, after the opening ceremony of the 48th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in the western Japan city. The closed meeting, running through May 21, will discuss the peaceful use and environmental protection of Antarctica, with about 30 member countries taking part.

Opening of cormorant fishing season in central Japan

Opening of cormorant fishing season in central Japan

The traditional "ukai" cormorant fishing season starts on the Nagara River in the central Japan city of Gifu on May 11, 2026.

Opening of cormorant fishing season in central Japan

Opening of cormorant fishing season in central Japan

The traditional "ukai" cormorant fishing season starts on the Nagara River in the central Japan city of Gifu on May 11, 2026.

Opening of cormorant fishing season in central Japan

Opening of cormorant fishing season in central Japan

The traditional "ukai" cormorant fishing season starts on the Nagara River in the central Japan city of Gifu on May 11, 2026.

Opening of cormorant fishing season in central Japan

Opening of cormorant fishing season in central Japan

The traditional "ukai" cormorant fishing season starts on the Nagara River in the central Japan city of Gifu on May 11, 2026.

Huge carp streamer in eastern Japan

KAZO, Japan, May 3 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a carp streamer, about 100 meters long and weighing around 330 kilograms, flying over the Tone River in the Saitama Prefecture city of Kazo, eastern Japan, on May 3, 2026, ahead of Children's Day on May 5. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Tanker with Russian crude oil arrives in Japan

IMABARI, Japan, May 5 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a tanker carrying crude oil from the Russian Far East of Sakhalin arriving in waters off Imabari in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, on May 4, 2026, marking the first procurement of Russian oil by Japan since the Iran war began in late February. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Boxing: Weigh-in for Inoue-Nakatani world title bout

TOKYO, Japan, May 1 Kyodo - Undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue of Japan and Japanese challenger Junto Nakatani a former unified bantamweight world champion, pose after clearing the weigh-in in Tokyo on May 1, 2026, a day before their world title boxing match at Tokyo Dome. (Kyodo)

Japan Parade in New York

Japan Parade in New York

Geiko traditional female entertainers from the southwestern Japan prefecture of Nagasaki wave to onlookers in New York on May 9, 2026, at the Japan Parade, an event showcasing Japanese culture.

Japan Parade in New York

Japan Parade in New York

Geiko traditional female entertainers from the southwestern Japan prefecture of Nagasaki wave to onlookers in New York on May 9, 2026, at the Japan Parade, an event showcasing Japanese culture.

Japan Parade in New York

Japan Parade in New York

Geiko traditional female entertainers from the southwestern Japan prefecture of Nagasaki wave to onlookers in New York on May 9, 2026, at the Japan Parade, an event showcasing Japanese culture.

Golf: World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup

Golf: World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup

Yui Kawamoto makes a winning putt on the 18th hole during the final round of the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup at Ibaraki Golf Club in Tsukubamirai in Ibaraki Prefecture, eastern Japan, on May 10, 2026.

Golf: Mizuho Americas Open

Golf: Mizuho Americas Open

Saki Baba of Japan poses for a photo after making a hole-in-one on the seventh hole during the final round of the Mizuho Americas Open golf tournament at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, New Jersey, on May 10, 2026.

Golf: Truist Championship

Golf: Truist Championship

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan lines up a putt on the ninth hole during the final round of the Truist Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, on May 10, 2026.

Partnership between JSA and Tudor

Partnership between JSA and Tudor

Ozeki Kirishima holds a Tudor Black Bay 68 during a media event held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan hall in Tokyo on May 9, 2026, to announce the conclusion of a partnership accord between the Japan Sumo Association and the Swiss luxury watch maker, a sponsor of the June grand sumo event in Paris.

Retired speed skater Takagi in home town parade

Retired speed skater Takagi in home town parade

Retired Japanese speed skater Miho Takagi waves during a parade in her home town of Makubetsu in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 9, 2026. Takagi, 31, a winner of 10 Olympic medals, retired from competition after competing in the Milan Cortina Olympics in February.

Retired speed skater Takagi in home town parade

Retired speed skater Takagi in home town parade

Retired Japanese speed skater Miho Takagi (C) waves during a parade in her home town of Makubetsu in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 9, 2026. Takagi, 31, a winner of 10 Olympic medals, retired from competition after competing in the Milan Cortina Olympics in February.

Retired speed skater Takagi in home town parade

Retired speed skater Takagi in home town parade

Retired Japanese speed skater Miho Takagi waves during a parade in her home town of Makubetsu in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 9, 2026. Takagi, 31, a winner of 10 Olympic medals, retired from competition after competing in the Milan Cortina Olympics in February.

Japan: Anti-Globalization Protesters Demand WHO Withdrawal Outside Ministry of Health 2

Protesters gathered outside the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Tokyo on Friday, May 8, calling for Japan's withdrawal from the WHO and opposition to globalism. The demonstration drew prominent speakers and former lawmakers.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on May 8, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on May 8, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on May 8, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on May 8, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on May 8, 2026.

Toyota FY 2025 sales top 50 trillion yen, 1st for Japan firm

Toyota FY 2025 sales top 50 trillion yen, 1st for Japan firm

File photo taken on Aug. 29, 2023, shows the headquarters building of Toyota Motor Corp. in Toyota in Aichi Pref., central Japan. Toyota reported on May 8, 2026, that its sales for the year ended March that year rose 5.5 percent from a year earlier to 50.68 trillion yen, becoming the first Japanese company to post annual sales of over 50 trillion yen.

Ainu remains returned to Japan from Britain after 160 years

Ainu remains returned to Japan from Britain after 160 years

Masaru Okawa, executive director of the Ainu Association of Hokkaido, meets the press at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 8, 2026, upon his return from Britain where remains of seven Ainu people were handed over to Japan by London's Natural History Museum. Four of the seven sets of remains were returned after 160 years.

Japan's suspected currency intervention

Japan's suspected currency intervention

Photo taken on May 3, 2026, shows Japan's Finance Ministry in Tokyo. The ministry and the Bank of Japan likely spent an additional 4 trillion yen during the Golden Week holiday in early May to arrest the yen's further fall following a yen-buying operation on April 30.

Japan's suspected currency intervention

Japan's suspected currency intervention

Photo taken on March 19, 2026, shows the Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo. The Finance Ministry and the BOJ likely spent an additional 4 trillion yen during the Golden Week holiday in early May to arrest the yen's further fall following a yen-buying operation on April 30.

Japan: Bears Spotted Near Residential Areas as Spring Temperatures Rise

As spring temperatures rose, bears in Japan emerged from hibernation and ventured closer to human settlements in search of food, prompting authorities to urge residents to stay alert. This video was captured at "Inori no Sato Aizumura", a religious and tourist site in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima, on Thursday, May 7.

Buddhist temple ritual in honor of Kukai

Buddhist temple ritual in honor of Kukai

Monks parade during a ritual at Buddhist Shingon-sect Kongobuji temple in Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 7, 2026, in honor of the achievements by the sect's founder Kukai (774-835), posthumously known as Kobo Daishi.

Return rush of Golden Week travelers in Japan

Return rush of Golden Week travelers in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Tokyo-bound lanes on the Tomei Expressway packed with vehicles near the Ebina service area in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on the night of May 6, 2026, the final day of the Golden Week holidays.

Return rush of Golden Week travelers in Japan

Return rush of Golden Week travelers in Japan

The arrival lobby for international flights at Kansai airport in Osaka Prefecture is crowded with travelers on May 6, 2026, the final day of the Golden Week holidays.

Return rush of Golden Week travelers in Japan

Return rush of Golden Week travelers in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Tokyo-bound lanes on the Tomei Expressway packed with vehicles near the Ebina service area in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on the night of May 6, 2026, the final day of the Golden Week holidays.

Return rush of Golden Week travelers in Japan

Return rush of Golden Week travelers in Japan

The arrival lobby for international flights at Kansai airport in Osaka Prefecture is crowded with travelers on May 6, 2026, the final day of the Golden Week holidays.

Return rush of Golden Week travelers in Japan

Return rush of Golden Week travelers in Japan

The arrival lobby for international flights at Kansai airport in Osaka Prefecture is crowded with travelers on May 6, 2026, the final day of the Golden Week holidays.

Lexus unveils all-electric TZ sport utility vehicle

Lexus unveils all-electric TZ sport utility vehicle

Lexus unveils TZ all-electric luxurious sport utility vehicle in world premiere, featuring lounge-like three-row cabin and driving range of up to 620 kilometers, at Toyota Motor Corp.'s Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama in the Aichi Prefecture city of Toyota, central Japan, on May 7, 2026.

Lexus unveils all-electric TZ sport utility vehicle

Lexus unveils all-electric TZ sport utility vehicle

Lexus unveils TZ all-electric luxurious sport utility vehicle in world premiere, featuring lounge-like three-row cabin and driving range of up to 620 kilometers, at Toyota Motor Corp.'s Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama in the Aichi Prefecture city of Toyota, central Japan, on May 7, 2026.

Lexus unveils all-electric TZ sport utility vehicle

Lexus unveils all-electric TZ sport utility vehicle

Lexus unveils TZ all-electric luxurious sport utility vehicle in world premiere, featuring lounge-like three-row cabin and driving range of up to 620 kilometers, at Toyota Motor Corp.'s Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama in the Aichi Prefecture city of Toyota, central Japan, on May 7, 2026.

Lexus unveils all-electric TZ sport utility vehicle

Lexus unveils all-electric TZ sport utility vehicle

Lexus unveils TZ all-electric luxurious sport utility vehicle in world premiere, featuring lounge-like three-row cabin and driving range of up to 620 kilometers, at Toyota Motor Corp.'s Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama in the Aichi Prefecture city of Toyota, central Japan, on May 7, 2026.

[Breaking News]Boxing: world title bout between Inoue and Nakatani

TOKYO, Japan, April 30 Kyodo - Undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue of Japan speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on April 30, 2026, before taking on countryman and challenger Junto Nakatani, a former unified bantamweight world champion, at Tokyo Dome on May 2. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]BOJ policy-setting meeting

TOKYO, Japan, April 28 Kyodo - Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda holds a press conference at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo on April 28, 2026, following a two-day policy-setting meeting. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Domestically developed humanoid robot

KYOTO, Japan, April 30 Kyodo - Video taken on April 28, 2026, shows a prototype of the fully domestically developed humanoid robot "Seimei" during a media demonstration in Kyoto. Waseda University and private businesses, including Murata Manufacturing Co., robot maker tmsuk and Aisin Corp., jointly developed the robot, standing 140 centimeters tall and weighing 49 kilograms. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]May Day gathering in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan, April 30 Kyodo - Tomoko Yoshino, president of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, known as Rengo, speaks at a May Day gathering at Tokyo's Yoyogi Park on April 29, 2026. (Kyodo)