Winter Scenery At Sayram Lake - Xinjiang

Winter Scenery At Sayram Lake - Xinjiang

Tourists are seen by the Sayram Lake in Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Dec. 15, 2025. Photo by Xu Rui/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Winter Scenery At Sayram Lake - Xinjiang

Winter Scenery At Sayram Lake - Xinjiang

A herdsman (L) riding a camel is seen by the Sayram Lake in Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Dec. 15, 2025. Photo by Wang Fei/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Winter Scenery At Sayram Lake - Xinjiang

Winter Scenery At Sayram Lake - Xinjiang

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 16, 2025 shows the Sayram Lake and snow mountain in Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Xu Rui/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Winter Scenery At Sayram Lake - Xinjiang

Winter Scenery At Sayram Lake - Xinjiang

Tourists take photos by the Sayram Lake in Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Dec. 15, 2025. Photo by Wang Fei/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Winter Scenery At Sayram Lake - Xinjiang

Winter Scenery At Sayram Lake - Xinjiang

A boat is seen on the Sayram Lake in Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Dec. 16, 2025. Photo by Wang Fei/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Winter Scenery At Sayram Lake - Xinjiang

Winter Scenery At Sayram Lake - Xinjiang

This photo taken on Dec. 16, 2025 shows the Sayram Lake with snow mountain in the background in Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Photo by Wang Fei/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Winter Scenery At Sayram Lake - Xinjiang

Winter Scenery At Sayram Lake - Xinjiang

Tourists have fun by the Sayram Lake in Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Dec. 16, 2025. Photo by Xu Rui/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Winter Scenery At Sayram Lake - Xinjiang

Winter Scenery At Sayram Lake - Xinjiang

Tourists take selfies by the Sayram Lake in Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Dec. 16, 2025. Photo by Wang Fei/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Winter Scenery At Sayram Lake - Xinjiang

Winter Scenery At Sayram Lake - Xinjiang

A herd of cattle forage by the Sayram Lake in Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Dec. 15, 2025. Photo by Wang Fei/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Winter Scenery At Sayram Lake - Xinjiang

Winter Scenery At Sayram Lake - Xinjiang

Tourists have fun by the Sayram Lake in Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Dec. 15, 2025. Photo by Wang Fei/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

CORRECTED: Figure skating: Carolina Kostner

CORRECTED: Figure skating: Carolina Kostner

Carolina Kostner, an Italian former figure skater and 2014 Olympic bronze medalist in the women's event, gives an interview to Kyodo News on Dec. 16, 2025, in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan.

Temporary housing for Noto Peninsula quake victims

Temporary housing for Noto Peninsula quake victims

Photo taken on Dec. 12, 2025, shows temporary housing built in a coastal area of Wajima in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa for people affected by the massive Jan. 1, 2024, earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula and surrounding areas.

CORRECTED: Figure skating: Carolina Kostner

CORRECTED: Figure skating: Carolina Kostner

Carolina Kostner, an Italian former figure skater and 2014 Olympic bronze medalist in the women's event, gives an interview to Kyodo News on Dec. 16, 2025, in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan.

Bear sighting in Iwate Pref.

Bear sighting in Iwate Pref.

A white-chested bear climbs a persimmon tree near a house in Iwaizumi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Nov. 18, 2025, amid frequent bear sightings in Japan.

H3 rocket launch canceled

H3 rocket launch canceled

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 17, 2025, shows a Japanese H3 rocket at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency canceled the launch of the No. 8 rocket, loaded with the No. 5 Michibiki satellite for enhanced global positioning, due to an equipment malfunction.

H3 rocket launch canceled

H3 rocket launch canceled

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 17, 2025, shows a Japanese H3 rocket at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency canceled the launch of the No. 8 rocket, loaded with the No. 5 Michibiki satellite for enhanced global positioning, due to an equipment malfunction.

H3 rocket launch canceled

H3 rocket launch canceled

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Dec. 17, 2025, shows a Japanese H3 rocket at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane in Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency canceled the launch of the No. 8 rocket, loaded with the No. 5 Michibiki satellite for enhanced global positioning, due to an equipment malfunction.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

People queue to ride buses at a bus terminal linked to JR Hachinohe Station in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, on Dec. 16, 2025, as the railway service has been suspended since a powerful earthquake hit the northeastern Japan city on Dec. 8.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

People queue to ride buses at a bus terminal linked to JR Hachinohe Station in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, on Dec. 16, 2025, as the railway service has been suspended since a powerful earthquake hit the northeastern Japan city on Dec. 8.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

People queue to ride buses at a bus terminal linked to JR Hachinohe Station in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, on Dec. 16, 2025, as the railway service has been suspended since a powerful earthquake hit the northeastern Japan city on Dec. 8.

Year-end cleaning at Himeji Castle

Year-end cleaning at Himeji Castle

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel perform year-end cleaning of Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on Dec. 16, 2025, in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan.

Year-end cleaning at Himeji Castle

Year-end cleaning at Himeji Castle

A member of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force performs year-end cleaning of Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on Dec. 16, 2025, in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan.

Shuri Castle under reconstruction

Shuri Castle under reconstruction

Photo taken on Dec. 15, 2025, shows the south-side corridor that is connected to the main hall (back) of Shuri Castle, now under reconstruction, in Naha in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa. The corridor, together with the west-side corridor and the main hall, is to be completed in the autumn of 2026, seven years after fire gutted the World Heritage-listed castle in October 2019.

Shuri Castle under reconstruction

Shuri Castle under reconstruction

Photo taken on Dec. 15, 2025, shows the south-side corridor that is connected to the main hall (back) of Shuri Castle, now under reconstruction, in Naha in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa. The corridor, together with the west-side corridor and the main hall, is to be completed in the autumn of 2026, seven years after fire gutted the World Heritage-listed castle in October 2019.

Shuri Castle under reconstruction

Shuri Castle under reconstruction

Photo taken on Dec. 15, 2025, shows the south-side corridor that is connected to the main hall (back) of Shuri Castle, now under reconstruction, in Naha in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa. The corridor, together with the west-side corridor and the main hall, is to be completed in the autumn of 2026, seven years after fire gutted the World Heritage-listed castle in October 2019.

Shuri Castle under reconstruction

Shuri Castle under reconstruction

Photo taken on Dec. 15, 2025, shows the south-side corridor that is connected to the main hall (back) of Shuri Castle, now under reconstruction, in Naha in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa. The corridor, together with the west-side corridor and the main hall, is to be completed in the autumn of 2026, seven years after fire gutted the World Heritage-listed castle in October 2019.

Aftermath of strong quake in Japan

Aftermath of strong quake in Japan

A morning market is near empty on Dec. 13, 2025, in Hakodate in Hokkaido, northern Japan, after the national weather agency warned of the possibility of a strong earthquake striking the region following a magnitude 7.5 quake that jolted Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 8.

Aftermath of strong quake in Japan

Aftermath of strong quake in Japan

A morning market is near empty on Dec. 13, 2025, in Hakodate in Hokkaido, northern Japan, after the national weather agency warned of the possibility of a strong earthquake striking the region following a magnitude 7.5 quake that jolted Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 8.

Aftermath of strong quake in Japan

Aftermath of strong quake in Japan

A morning market is near empty on Dec. 13, 2025, in Hakodate in Hokkaido, northern Japan, after the national weather agency warned of the possibility of a strong earthquake striking the region following a magnitude 7.5 quake that jolted Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 8.

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Staff dust off Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple during annual year-end cleaning in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025.

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Staff dust off Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple during annual year-end cleaning in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025.

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Staff dust off Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple during annual year-end cleaning in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025.

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Staff dust off Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple during annual year-end cleaning in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025.

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Year-end cleanup at eastern Japan temple

Staff dust off Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple during annual year-end cleaning in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025.

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japanese Princess Hisako looks at ceramic dogs she donated to the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum in Seto in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Dec. 12, 2025. The princess donated over 200 ceramic dogs for the exhibition that will run from Dec. 13 through July 26, 2026.

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japanese Princess Hisako looks at ceramic dogs she donated to the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum in Seto in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Dec. 12, 2025. The princess donated over 200 ceramic dogs for the exhibition that will run from Dec. 13 through July 26, 2026.

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japanese Princess Hisako looks at ceramic dogs she donated to the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum in Seto in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Dec. 12, 2025. The princess donated over 200 ceramic dogs for the exhibition that will run from Dec. 13 through July 26, 2026.

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japanese Princess Hisako speaks at a ceremony on Dec. 12, 2025, marking the start the following day of a ceramics exhibition at the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum in Seto in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan. Over 200 ceramic dogs donated by the princess are on display at the exhibition that runs through July 26, 2026.

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japanese Princess Hisako speaks at a ceremony on Dec. 12, 2025, marking the start the following day of a ceramics exhibition at the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum in Seto in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan. Over 200 ceramic dogs donated by the princess are on display at the exhibition that runs through July 26, 2026.

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japanese Princess Hisako looks at ceramic dogs she donated to the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum in Seto in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Dec. 12, 2025. The princess donated over 200 ceramic dogs for the exhibition that will run from Dec. 13 through July 26, 2026.

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japan Princess Hisako visits ceramic museum

Japanese Princess Hisako looks at ceramic dogs she donated to the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum in Seto in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Dec. 12, 2025. The princess donated over 200 ceramic dogs for the exhibition that will run from Dec. 13 through July 26, 2026.

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

The annual Geminid meteor shower peaks over Cape Toi in Kushima, Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, in the early hours of Dec. 15, 2025, with shooting stars lighting up the night sky.

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

The annual Geminid meteor shower peaks over Cape Toi in Kushima, Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 14, 2025, with shooting stars lighting up the night sky.

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

The annual Geminid meteor shower peaks over Cape Toi in Kushima, Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 14, 2025, with shooting stars lighting up the night sky.

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

The annual Geminid meteor shower peaks over Cape Toi in Kushima, Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 14, 2025, with shooting stars lighting up the night sky.

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

The annual Geminid meteor shower peaks over Cape Toi in Kushima, Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 14, 2025, with shooting stars lighting up the night sky.

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

Composite photo shows shooting stars lighting up the night sky over Minamiboso, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 14, 2025, as the annual Geminid meteor shower peaks.

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

Composite photo shows shooting stars lighting up the night sky over Cape Toi in Kushima, Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 14, 2025, as the annual Geminid meteor shower peaks.

Geminid meteor shower

Geminid meteor shower

A shooting star lights up the night sky over Minamiboso, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 14, 2025, as the annual Geminid meteor shower peaks.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

Aftermath of powerful earthquake in Aomori Pref.

A morning market is sparsely attended on Dec. 14, 2025, at a port in Hachinohe, an Aomori Prefecture city hit by a magnitude-7.5 earthquake on Dec. 8, after the weather agency warned of the possibility of a quake of similar or larger magnitude striking the region within the next several days.