Float-pulling festival in Osaka Pref.

Float-pulling festival in Osaka Pref.

A man stands on a "Danjiri" float as people pull it through the streets of Kishiwada in the western Japan prefecture of Osaka on Sept. 19, 2026, the first day of the two-day Danjiri festival, dubbed Japan's most dangerous festival, dating back about 300 years.

Float-pulling festival in Osaka Pref.

Float-pulling festival in Osaka Pref.

People pull a "Danjiri" float through a street in Kishiwada in the western Japan prefecture of Osaka on Sept. 19, 2026, on the first day of the two-day Danjiri festival, dubbed Japan's most dangerous festival, dating back about 300 years.

Float-pulling festival in Osaka Pref.

Float-pulling festival in Osaka Pref.

People pull a "Danjiri" float through a street in Kishiwada in the western Japan prefecture of Osaka on Sept. 19, 2026, on the first day of the two-day Danjiri festival, dubbed Japan's most dangerous festival, dating back about 300 years.

Japan: Air Self-Defense Force’s Blue Impulse Marks Asian Games Kickoff

On Saturday, September 19, Japan's Air Self-Defense Force aerobatic team Blue Impulse conducted a flyover of Aichi Prefecture to mark the opening of the 20th Asian Games and 5th Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya 2026.

Baseball: Tigers vs. White Sox

Baseball: Tigers vs. White Sox

Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami poses for a photo after receiving a "daruma" Japanese doll representing Kumamon, the official mascot of Murakami's home prefecture of Kumamoto, from a member of Chicago's Japanese community ahead of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Rate Field in Chicago on Sept. 18, 2026.

Kyushu Shinkansen resumes full-route service 52 days after quake

Kyushu Shinkansen resumes full-route service 52 days after quake

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 18, 2026, shows a shinkansen bullet train running in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, marking the full-route resumption of the Kyushu Shinkansen Line service 52 days after a massive earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Kyushu Shinkansen resumes full-route service 52 days after quake

Kyushu Shinkansen resumes full-route service 52 days after quake

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 18, 2026, shows a shinkansen bullet train running in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, marking the full-route resumption of the Kyushu Shinkansen Line service 52 days after a massive earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Kyushu Shinkansen resumes full-route service 52 days after quake

Kyushu Shinkansen resumes full-route service 52 days after quake

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 18, 2026, shows a shinkansen bullet train running in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, marking the full-route resumption of the Kyushu Shinkansen Line service 52 days after a massive earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Kyushu Shinkansen resumes full-route service 52 days after quake

Kyushu Shinkansen resumes full-route service 52 days after quake

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 18, 2026, shows a shinkansen bullet train running in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, marking the full-route resumption of the Kyushu Shinkansen Line service 52 days after a massive earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Kyushu Shinkansen resumes full-route service 52 days after quake

Kyushu Shinkansen resumes full-route service 52 days after quake

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 18, 2026, shows a shinkansen bullet train running in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, marking the full-route resumption of the Kyushu Shinkansen Line service 52 days after a massive earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture.

Kyushu Shinkansen resumes full-route service

Kyushu Shinkansen resumes full-route service

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train running near damaged houses in Yatsushiro in Kumamoto Prefecture on Sept. 18, 2026. The bullet train services on the Kyushu Shinkansen Line resumed along the entire route that day for the first time in 52 days after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture in July.

Kyushu Shinkansen resumes full-route service

Kyushu Shinkansen resumes full-route service

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train running near damaged houses in Yatsushiro in Kumamoto Prefecture on Sept. 18, 2026. The bullet train services on the Kyushu Shinkansen Line resumed along the entire route that day for the first time in 52 days after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture in July.

Kyushu Shinkansen resumes full-route service

Kyushu Shinkansen resumes full-route service

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train running near damaged houses in Yatsushiro in Kumamoto Prefecture on Sept. 18, 2026. The bullet train services on the Kyushu Shinkansen Line resumed along the entire route that day for the first time in 52 days after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture in July.

Kyushu Shinkansen resumes full-route service

Kyushu Shinkansen resumes full-route service

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train running near a damaged house in Yatsushiro in Kumamoto Prefecture on Sept. 18, 2026. The bullet train services on the Kyushu Shinkansen Line resumed along the entire route that day for the first time in 52 days after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture in July.

Kyushu Shinkansen resumes full-route service

Kyushu Shinkansen resumes full-route service

A Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train runs in Uki in Kumamoto Prefecture on Sept. 18, 2026. The bullet train services on the Kyushu Shinkansen Line resumed along the entire route that day for the first time in 52 days after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture in July.

Kyushu Shinkansen resumes full-route service

Kyushu Shinkansen resumes full-route service

A Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train runs in Uki in Kumamoto Prefecture on Sept. 18, 2026. The bullet train services on the Kyushu Shinkansen Line resumed along the entire route that day for the first time in 52 days after a powerful earthquake struck the southwestern Japan prefecture in July.

N. Korean sports minister arrives in Japan for Asian Games

N. Korean sports minister arrives in Japan for Asian Games

North Korean sports minister Kim Il Guk (C, R) arrives at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, on Sept. 17, 2026, for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

N. Korean sports minister arrives in Japan for Asian Games

N. Korean sports minister arrives in Japan for Asian Games

North Korean sports minister Kim Il Guk (2nd from L) arrives at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, on Sept. 17, 2026, for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

N. Korean sports minister arrives in Japan for Asian Games

N. Korean sports minister arrives in Japan for Asian Games

North Korean sports minister Kim Il Guk (2nd from L) arrives at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, on Sept. 17, 2026, for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

N. Korean sports minister arrives in Japan for Asian Games

N. Korean sports minister arrives in Japan for Asian Games

North Korean sports minister Kim Il Guk arrives at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, on Sept. 17, 2026, for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

N. Korean sports minister arrives in Japan for Asian Games

N. Korean sports minister arrives in Japan for Asian Games

North Korean sports minister Kim Il Guk arrives at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, on Sept. 17, 2026, for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

N. Korean sports minister arrives in Japan for Asian Games

N. Korean sports minister arrives in Japan for Asian Games

North Korean sports minister Kim Il Guk arrives at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, on Sept. 17, 2026, for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

N. Korean sports minister arrives in Japan for Asian Games

N. Korean sports minister arrives in Japan for Asian Games

North Korean sports minister Kim Il Guk arrives at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, on Sept. 17, 2026, for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

Shuri Castle

Shuri Castle

Photo taken on Sept. 17, 2026, shows the main hall of Shuri Castle, now under reconstruction, in Naha in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa, unveiled to the media following the completion of lacquer coating work. Fire gutted the World Heritage-listed castle in October 2019.

Shuri Castle

Shuri Castle

Photo taken on Sept. 17, 2026, shows the main hall of Shuri Castle, now under reconstruction, in Naha in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa, unveiled to the media following the completion of lacquer coating work. Fire gutted the World Heritage-listed castle in October 2019.

Shuri Castle

Shuri Castle

Photo taken on Sept. 17, 2026, shows the main hall of Shuri Castle, now under reconstruction, in Naha in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa, unveiled to the media following the completion of lacquer coating work. Fire gutted the World Heritage-listed castle in October 2019.

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Torch relay

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Torch relay

Japanese Olympic pairs figure skating champions Riku Miura (L) and Ryuichi Kihara take part in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games torch relay in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Sept. 16, 2026.

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Torch relay

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Torch relay

Japanese Olympic pairs figure skating champions Riku Miura (L) and Ryuichi Kihara take part in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games torch relay in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Sept. 16, 2026.

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Torch relay

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Torch relay

Japanese Olympic pairs figure skating champions Riku Miura (L) and Ryuichi Kihara take part in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games torch relay in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Sept. 16, 2026.

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Torch relay

Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games: Torch relay

Japanese Olympic pairs figure skating champions Riku Miura (L) and Ryuichi Kihara take part in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games torch relay in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Sept. 16, 2026.

Halloween program at Tokyo Disneyland

Halloween program at Tokyo Disneyland

The entrance of Tokyo Disneyland in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, is decorated for Halloween on Sept. 15, 2026.

Halloween program at Tokyo Disneyland

Halloween program at Tokyo Disneyland

A Halloween-themed parade, featuring Disney villains, is held during a press preview event at Tokyo Disneyland in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, on Sept. 15, 2026, a day before its official start.

Halloween program at Tokyo Disneyland

Halloween program at Tokyo Disneyland

A Halloween-themed parade, featuring Disney villains, is held during a press preview event at Tokyo Disneyland in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, on Sept. 15, 2026, a day before its official start.

Halloween program at Tokyo Disneyland

Halloween program at Tokyo Disneyland

A Halloween-themed parade, featuring Disney villains, is held during a press preview event at Tokyo Disneyland in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, on Sept. 15, 2026, a day before its official start.

Chubu Electric President Hayashi

Chubu Electric President Hayashi

Chubu Electric Power Co. President Kingo Hayashi apologizes over the utility's seismic data manipulation scandal during the screening for restarting reactors at the Hamaoka nuclear power plant, as he meets Shizuoka Governor Yasutomo Suzuki at the prefectural government headquarters in the central Japan city of Shizuoka on Sept. 15, 2026. The Hamaoka nuclear complex is located in the prefecture.

Chubu Electric President Hayashi

Chubu Electric President Hayashi

Chubu Electric Power Co. President Kingo Hayashi (L) apologizes over the utility's seismic data manipulation scandal during the screening for restarting reactors at the Hamaoka nuclear power plant, as he meets Shizuoka Governor Yasutomo Suzuki at the prefectural government headquarters in the central Japan city of Shizuoka on Sept. 15, 2026. The Hamaoka nuclear complex is located in the prefecture.

Chubu Electric President Hayashi

Chubu Electric President Hayashi

Chubu Electric Power Co. President Kingo Hayashi apologizes over the utility's seismic data manipulation scandal during the screening for restarting reactors at the Hamaoka nuclear power plant, as he meets Shizuoka Governor Yasutomo Suzuki at the prefectural government headquarters in the central Japan city of Shizuoka on Sept. 15, 2026. The Hamaoka nuclear complex is located in the prefecture.

Chubu Electric President Hayashi

Chubu Electric President Hayashi

Chubu Electric Power Co. President Kingo Hayashi (R) meets Shizuoka Governor Yasutomo Suzuki at the prefectural government headquarters in the central Japan city of Shizuoka on Sept. 15, 2026, over the utility's seismic data manipulation scandal during the screening for restarting reactors at the Hamaoka nuclear power plant in the prefecture.

Chubu Electric President Hayashi

Chubu Electric President Hayashi

Chubu Electric Power Co. President Kingo Hayashi meets Shizuoka Governor Yasutomo Suzuki at the prefectural government headquarters in the central Japan city of Shizuoka on Sept. 15, 2026, over the utility's seismic data manipulation scandal during the screening for restarting reactors at the Hamaoka nuclear power plant in the prefecture.

N. Korean athletes arrive in Japan for Asian Games

OSAKA, Japan, Sept. 14 Kyodo - North Korean athletes arrive at Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture on Sept. 11, 2026, for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games opening later in the month. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]N. Korean athletes arrive in Japan for Asian Games

OSAKA, Japan, Sept. 14 Kyodo - North Korean athletes arrive at Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture on Sept. 11, 2026, for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games opening later in the month. (Kyodo)

Crown Prince Fumihito, Prince Hisahito in tsunami-hit city

Crown Prince Fumihito, Prince Hisahito in tsunami-hit city

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito (2nd from L) and his son Prince Hisahito (2nd from R) on Sept. 13, 2026, visit the tsunami memorial museum in Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, which was hit hard by the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster. (Pool photo)

Crown Prince Fumihito, Prince Hisahito in tsunami-hit city

Crown Prince Fumihito, Prince Hisahito in tsunami-hit city

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito (back, R) and his son Prince Hisahito (back, L) arrive on Sept. 13, 2026, at the tsunami memorial museum in Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, which was hit hard by the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster. (Pool photo)

Crown Prince Fumihito, Prince Hisahito in tsunami-hit city

Crown Prince Fumihito, Prince Hisahito in tsunami-hit city

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito (2nd from L) and his son Prince Hisahito (4th from L) on Sept. 13, 2026, visit the tsunami memorial museum in Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, which was hit hard by the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster. (Pool photo)

Crown Prince Fumihito, Prince Hisahito in tsunami-hit city

Crown Prince Fumihito, Prince Hisahito in tsunami-hit city

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito (2nd from L) and his son Prince Hisahito (2nd from R) on Sept. 13, 2026, visit the tsunami memorial museum in Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, which was hit hard by the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster. (Pool photo)

Crown Prince Fumihito, Prince Hisahito in disaster-hit city

Crown Prince Fumihito, Prince Hisahito in disaster-hit city

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito (R) and his son Prince Hisahito (C) arrive at a medical clinic in Rikuzentakata, an Iwate Prefecture city devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, on Sept. 14, 2026. (Pool photo)

Crown Prince Fumihito, Prince Hisahito in disaster-hit city

Crown Prince Fumihito, Prince Hisahito in disaster-hit city

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito (2nd from R) and his son Prince Hisahito (far L) look at bonitos being unloaded at a fish market in Kesennuma, a Miyagi Prefecture city devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, on Sept. 14, 2026. (Pool photo)

Crown Prince Fumihito, Prince Hisahito in disaster-hit city

Crown Prince Fumihito, Prince Hisahito in disaster-hit city

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito (back, L) and his son Prince Hisahito (back, R) look at bonitos being unloaded at a fish market in Kesennuma, a Miyagi Prefecture city devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, on Sept. 14, 2026. (Pool photo)

Crown Prince Fumihito, Prince Hisahito in disaster-hit city

Crown Prince Fumihito, Prince Hisahito in disaster-hit city

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito (2nd from R) and his son Prince Hisahito (3rd from R) look at bonitos being unloaded at a fish market in Kesennuma, a Miyagi Prefecture city devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, on Sept. 14, 2026. (Pool photo)

Crown Prince Fumihito, Prince Hisahito in disaster-hit city

Crown Prince Fumihito, Prince Hisahito in disaster-hit city

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito (C) and his son Prince Hisahito (L) look at bonitos being unloaded at a fish market in Kesennuma, a Miyagi Prefecture city devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, on Sept. 14, 2026. (Pool photo)