[Breaking News]Nobel laureate Sakaguchi leaves for Stockholm

OSAKA, Japan, Dec. 4 Kyodo - Shimon Sakaguchi, a professor at the University of Osaka and a co-winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine, meets the press at Osaka airport straddling Hyogo and Osaka prefectures on Dec. 4, 2025, before leaving for Stockholm to attend the award ceremony. (Kyodo)

Japan: M7.5 Quake Hits Off Aomori Prefecture, Tsunami Warning Issued

A powerful Magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck offshore at 11:15 PM in Japan, leading to immediate tsunami warnings and evacuation orders for residents. Warnings for waves up to 3 meters (10 ft) were issued for the north-eastern coast, specifically the prefectures of Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate. Tsunamis between 20 and 50 cm (7-18 inches) high were subsequently observed at several ports in the region. Furthermore, authorities are cautioning the public that "there is a possibility of even more powerful tremors." They also urged attention be paid to the potential for a larger subsequent earthquake.

[Breaking News]Nobel laureate Kitagawa leaves for Stockholm

OSAKA, Japan, Dec. 4 Kyodo - Kyoto University distinguished professor Susumu Kitagawa, a co-winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in chemistry, meets the press at Osaka airport straddling Hyogo and Osaka prefectures on Dec. 3, 2025, before leaving for Stockholm to attend the award ceremony. (Kyodo)

Nobel laureate Sakaguchi leaves for Stockholm

Nobel laureate Sakaguchi leaves for Stockholm

Shimon Sakaguchi, a professor at the University of Osaka and a co-winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine, meets the press at Osaka airport straddling Hyogo and Osaka prefectures on Dec. 4, 2025, before leaving for Stockholm to attend the award ceremony.

Nobel laureate Sakaguchi leaves for Stockholm

Nobel laureate Sakaguchi leaves for Stockholm

Shimon Sakaguchi, a professor at the University of Osaka and a co-winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine, meets the press at Osaka airport straddling Hyogo and Osaka prefectures on Dec. 4, 2025, before leaving for Stockholm to attend the award ceremony.

Nobel laureate Kitagawa leaves for Stockholm

Nobel laureate Kitagawa leaves for Stockholm

Kyoto University distinguished professor Susumu Kitagawa, a co-winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in chemistry, waves at Osaka airport straddling Hyogo and Osaka prefectures on Dec. 3, 2025, before leaving for Stockholm to attend the award ceremony.

Nobel laureate Kitagawa leaves for Stockholm

Nobel laureate Kitagawa leaves for Stockholm

Kyoto University distinguished professor Susumu Kitagawa, a co-winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in chemistry, meets the press at Osaka airport straddling Hyogo and Osaka prefectures on Dec. 3, 2025, before leaving for Stockholm to attend the award ceremony.

Nobel laureate Kitagawa leaves for Stockholm

Nobel laureate Kitagawa leaves for Stockholm

Kyoto University distinguished professor Susumu Kitagawa, a co-winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in chemistry, meets the press at Osaka airport straddling Hyogo and Osaka prefectures on Dec. 3, 2025, before leaving for Stockholm to attend the award ceremony.

[Breaking News]Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

TOKYO, Japan, Oct. 23 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures. (Kyodo)

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken on Oct. 23, 2025, from the town of Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan, shows the season's first snow-capped Mt. Fuji, the country's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken on Oct. 23, 2025, from the town of Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan, shows the season's first snow-capped Mt. Fuji, the country's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken on Oct. 23, 2025, from the town of Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan, shows the season's first snow-capped Mt. Fuji, the country's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken on Oct. 23, 2025, from Fujikawaguchiko town in Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan, shows the season's first snow-capped Mt. Fuji, the country's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Japanese food fair in Singapore

Japanese food fair in Singapore

A food fair promoting Japanese food is held in Singapore on Oct. 16, 2025, with about 150 companies and organizations from 35 Japanese prefectures taking part.

[Breaking News]Expo event to pitch Kyushu food, culture

OSAKA, Japan, Sept. 4 Kyodo - A performer dances during an event to promote food and culture in the seven prefectures that make up Japan's Kyushu southwestern region at the World Exposition in Osaka on Sept. 3, 2025. (Kyodo)

Japan: Storm System Brings Intense Lightning to Southwestern Region

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued weather alerts for Nagasaki and Kumamoto Prefectures in southwestern Japan on Wednesday, September 10, as a Linear Precipitation Band brought severe downpour to the area. Officials also warned residents across a wide area along the Sea of ​​Japan coast for flooding in low-lying areas, and swelling and overflowing rivers due to heavy rain with lightning.

Japan: Storm System Brings Intense Lightning to Southwestern Region 2

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued weather alerts for Nagasaki and Kumamoto Prefectures in southwestern Japan on Wednesday, September 10, as a Linear Precipitation Band brought severe downpour to the area. Officials also warned residents across a wide area along the Sea of ​​Japan coast for flooding in low-lying areas, and swelling and overflowing rivers due to heavy rain with lightning.

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

SAITAMA, Japan, Sept. 1 Kyodo - Firefighters conduct a disaster drill at a park in Saitama near Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2025, the 102nd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Police officers, Self-Defense Force members and medical staff as well as firefighters from four prefectures and five cities in the Tokyo metropolitan area were mobilized for the joint drill as authorities warn that a megaquake has a 70 percent probability of hitting the Tokyo area within the next 30 years. (Kyodo)

Japan: Typhoon Peipah Leaves Widespread Damage Across Prefectures

Typhoon Peipah made landfall early Friday, September 5, bringing heavy rain and flooding across a wide area from western to eastern Japan. The typhoon first came ashore near Sukumo City in Kochi Prefecture before dawn, then made a second landfall in northern Wakayama Prefecture around 9:00 a.m. Fallen trees, landslides, and roof damage, among other destruction, were reported across multiple prefectures.

Expo event to pitch Kyushu food, culture

Expo event to pitch Kyushu food, culture

A performer dances during an event to promote food and culture in the seven prefectures that make up Japan's Kyushu southwestern region at the World Exposition in Osaka on Sept. 3, 2025.

Expo event to pitch Kyushu food, culture

Expo event to pitch Kyushu food, culture

A performer dances during an event to promote food and culture in the seven prefectures that make up Japan's Kyushu southwestern region at the World Exposition in Osaka on Sept. 3, 2025.

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Firefighters conduct a disaster drill at a park in Saitama near Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2025, the 102nd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Police officers, Self-Defense Force members and medical staff as well as firefighters from four prefectures and five cities in the Tokyo metropolitan area were mobilized for the joint drill as authorities warn that a megaquake has a 70 percent probability of hitting the Tokyo area within the next 30 years.

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Firefighters conduct a disaster drill at a park in Saitama near Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2025, the 102nd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Police officers, Self-Defense Force members and medical staff as well as firefighters from four prefectures and five cities in the Tokyo metropolitan area were mobilized for the joint drill as authorities warn that a megaquake has a 70 percent probability of hitting the Tokyo area within the next 30 years.

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (2nd from R) inspects a cross-prefecture disaster drill at a park in Saitama near Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2025, the 102nd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Police officers, Self-Defense Force members and medical staff as well as firefighters from four prefectures and five cities in the Tokyo metropolitan area were mobilized for the joint drill as authorities warn that a megaquake has a 70 percent probability of hitting the Tokyo area within the next 30 years.

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during the closing ceremony of a cross-prefecture disaster drill at a park in Saitama near Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2025, the 102nd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Police officers, Self-Defense Force members and medical staff as well as firefighters from four prefectures and five cities in the Tokyo metropolitan area were mobilized for the joint drill as authorities warn that a megaquake has a 70 percent probability of hitting the Tokyo area within the next 30 years.

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Firefighters conduct a disaster drill at a park in Saitama near Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2025, the 102nd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Police officers, Self-Defense Force members and medical staff as well as firefighters from four prefectures and five cities in the Tokyo metropolitan area were mobilized for the joint drill as authorities warn that a megaquake has a 70 percent probability of hitting the Tokyo area within the next 30 years.

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

A cross-prefecture disaster drill is conducted at a park in Saitama near Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2025, the 102nd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Police officers, Self-Defense Force members and medical staff as well as firefighters from four prefectures and five cities in the Tokyo metropolitan area were mobilized for the joint drill as authorities warn that a megaquake has a 70 percent probability of hitting the Tokyo area within the next 30 years.

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Cross-prefecture joint disaster drill

Firefighters conduct a disaster drill at a park in Saitama near Tokyo on Sept. 1, 2025, the 102nd anniversary of the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Police officers, Self-Defense Force members and medical staff as well as firefighters from four prefectures and five cities in the Tokyo metropolitan area were mobilized for the joint drill as authorities warn that a megaquake has a 70 percent probability of hitting the Tokyo area within the next 30 years.

Fireworks at Osaka expo

Fireworks at Osaka expo

Fireworks are seen through the World Exposition's iconic Grand Ring in Osaka on Aug. 23, 2025. The fireworks were originally intended to be used at canceled festivals this summer in seven prefectures.

Fireworks at Osaka expo

Fireworks at Osaka expo

Fireworks are seen through the World Exposition's iconic Grand Ring in Osaka on Aug. 23, 2025. The fireworks were originally intended to be used at canceled festivals this summer in seven prefectures.

Fireworks at Osaka expo

Fireworks at Osaka expo

Fireworks are seen through the World Exposition's iconic Grand Ring in Osaka on Aug. 23, 2025. The fireworks were originally intended to be used at canceled festivals this summer in seven prefectures.

Beijing event to pitch Japan's sake

Beijing event to pitch Japan's sake

About 20 sake brewers from Japan's 14 prefectures attend a ceremony at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing on Aug. 7, 2025, the eve of a three-day event to pitch their products in the Chinese market.

Beijing event to pitch Japan's sake

Beijing event to pitch Japan's sake

About 20 sake brewers from Japan's 14 prefectures attend a ceremony at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing on Aug. 7, 2025, the eve of a three-day event to pitch their products in the Chinese market.

Beijing event to pitch Japan's sake

Beijing event to pitch Japan's sake

About 20 sake brewers from Japan's 14 prefectures attend a ceremony at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing on Aug. 7, 2025, the eve of a three-day event to pitch their products in the Chinese market.

Japan: Heavy Rain Hits Ishikawa and Toyama

On Thursday, August 7, heavy rainfall affected the prefectures of Ishikawa and Toyama as rain clouds developed over the Sea of Japan. Authorities have issued warnings for landslides and river overflows amid reports of flash flooding throughout the northwestern region.

Mt. Fuji opens Shizuoka route

Mt. Fuji opens Shizuoka route

Climbers head to the top of Mt. Fuji along the Fujinomiya route on July 10, 2025, as the route in Shizuoka Prefecture on Japan's highest mountain, straddling Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures, opened the same day along with two other routes, following the July 1 opening of the Yamanashi Prefecture-side route. All routes are open through Sept. 10. (Kyodo), ==Kyodo

Mt. Fuji opens Shizuoka route

Mt. Fuji opens Shizuoka route

Climbers head to the top of Mt. Fuji along the Fujinomiya route on July 10, 2025, as the route in Shizuoka Prefecture on Japan's highest mountain, straddling Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures, opened the same day along with two other routes, following the July 1 opening of the Yamanashi Prefecture-side route. All routes are open through Sept. 10. (Kyodo), ==Kyodo

Japan: Shinmoedake Eruption Sends Ash 5,000 Meters High 2

The Shinmoedake volcano, located on the border of Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures, continued to erupt on Thursday, July 3, spewing smoke up to 5,000 meters high around 2:00 p.m.

Mt. Shinmoe eruption in southwestern Japan

Mt. Shinmoe eruption in southwestern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News plane shows volcanic smoke billowing from Mt. Shinmoe, straddling Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures in southwestern Japan, on July 4, 2025.

Mt. Shinmoe eruption in southwestern Japan

Mt. Shinmoe eruption in southwestern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News plane shows volcanic smoke billowing from Mt. Shinmoe, straddling Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures in southwestern Japan, on July 4, 2025.

Mt. Shinmoe eruption in southwestern Japan

Mt. Shinmoe eruption in southwestern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News plane shows volcanic smoke billowing from Mt. Shinmoe, straddling Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures in southwestern Japan, on July 4, 2025.

Mt. Shinmoe eruption in southwestern Japan

Mt. Shinmoe eruption in southwestern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News plane shows volcanic smoke billowing from Mt. Shinmoe, straddling Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures in southwestern Japan, on July 4, 2025.

Mt. Fuji climbing season begins

TOKYO, Japan, July 1 Kyodo - Trail of lights from climbers' headlamps are seen on the Yoshida trail on the Yamanashi Prefecture side of Mt. Fuji on July 1, 2025. The trail opens the same day, meaning the start of the official climbing season for Japan's highest mountain, straddling Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures. (Kyodo)