Novel laureate Kitagawa at press conference

Novel laureate Kitagawa at press conference

Professor Susumu Kitagawa of Kyoto University, a co-winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in chemistry, speaks during a press conference at the state-run college in Kyoto, western Japan, on Dec. 19, 2025, following the university having been selected as a candidate for significant government grants at elevating Japanese research institutes to the top of global rankings.

Novel laureate Kitagawa at press conference

Novel laureate Kitagawa at press conference

Professor Susumu Kitagawa of Kyoto University, a co-winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in chemistry, speaks during a press conference at the state-run college in Kyoto, western Japan, on Dec. 19, 2025, following the university having been selected as a candidate for significant government grants at elevating Japanese research institutes to the top of global rankings.

Hong Kong During Typhoon Ragasa

Hong Kong During Typhoon Ragasa

Waves crash against a coast in Hong Kong, south China, September 23, 2025. The Hong Kong Observatory issued No. 8 Northwest Gale or Storm Signal for super typhoon Ragasa on Tuesday afternoon. No. 8 signal was the third-highest warning under Hong Kong's weather system, which has five rankings for typhoons. Photo by Xinhua/Chen Duo/ABACAPRESS.COM

Hong Kong During Typhoon Ragasa

Hong Kong During Typhoon Ragasa

Waves crash against a coast in Hong Kong, south China, September 23, 2025. The Hong Kong Observatory issued No. 8 Northwest Gale or Storm Signal for super typhoon Ragasa on Tuesday afternoon. No. 8 signal was the third-highest warning under Hong Kong's weather system, which has five rankings for typhoons. Photo by Xinhua/Chen Duo/ABACAPRESS.COM

Hong Kong During Typhoon Ragasa

Hong Kong During Typhoon Ragasa

Waves crash against a coast in Hong Kong, south China, September 23, 2025. The Hong Kong Observatory issued No. 8 Northwest Gale or Storm Signal for super typhoon Ragasa on Tuesday afternoon. No. 8 signal was the third-highest warning under Hong Kong's weather system, which has five rankings for typhoons. Photo by Xinhua/Chen Duo/ABACAPRESS.COM

Hong Kong During Typhoon Ragasa

Hong Kong During Typhoon Ragasa

Members of Civil Aid Service patrol along a coast in Hong Kong, south China, September 23, 2025. The Hong Kong Observatory issued No. 8 Northwest Gale or Storm Signal for super typhoon Ragasa on Tuesday afternoon. No. 8 signal was the third-highest warning under Hong Kong's weather system, which has five rankings for typhoons. Photo by Xinhua/Chen Duo/ABACAPRESS.COM

Hong Kong During Typhoon Ragasa

Hong Kong During Typhoon Ragasa

A man takes photos of a wave by a coast in Hong Kong, south China, September 23, 2025. The Hong Kong Observatory issued No. 8 Northwest Gale or Storm Signal for super typhoon Ragasa on Tuesday afternoon. No. 8 signal was the third-highest warning under Hong Kong's weather system, which has five rankings for typhoons. Photo by Xinhua/Chen Duo/ABACAPRESS.COM

Hoshoryu occupies east yokozuna slot

Hoshoryu occupies east yokozuna slot

Hoshoryu, who was promoted to sumo's highest rank of yokozuna in January, speaks during a press conference in Osaka on Feb. 25, 2025. Hoshoryu will start life as the 74th yokozuna on the east side as the Japan Sumo Association released its rankings for the upcoming Spring Sumo Tournament in the western Japan city.

Hoshoryu occupies east yokozuna slot

Hoshoryu occupies east yokozuna slot

Hoshoryu, who was promoted to sumo's highest rank of yokozuna in January, points to his name in the east side yokozuna slot on Feb. 25, 2025, during a press conference in Osaka as the Japan Sumo Association released its rankings for the upcoming Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in the western Japan city.

TENNIS - Internazionali di Tennis - Nitto ATP Finals - Arevalo/Pavic vs Bolelli/Vavassori

TENNIS - Internazionali di Tennis - Nitto ATP Finals - Arevalo/Pavic vs Bolelli/Vavassori

Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador and Mate Pavic of Croatia celebrate reaching No1 in the ATP Doubles rankings day six of the Nitto ATP finals 2024 at Inalpi Arena on November 15, 2024 in Turin, Italy.

TENNIS - Internazionali di Tennis - Nitto ATP Finals - Arevalo/Pavic vs Bolelli/Vavassori

TENNIS - Internazionali di Tennis - Nitto ATP Finals - Arevalo/Pavic vs Bolelli/Vavassori

Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador and Mate Pavic of Croatia celebrate reaching No1 in the ATP Doubles rankings day six of the Nitto ATP finals 2024 at Inalpi Arena on November 15, 2024 in Turin, Italy.

TENNIS - Internazionali di Tennis - Nitto ATP Finals - Arevalo/Pavic vs Bolelli/Vavassori

TENNIS - Internazionali di Tennis - Nitto ATP Finals - Arevalo/Pavic vs Bolelli/Vavassori

Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador and Mate Pavic of Croatia celebrate reaching No1 in the ATP Doubles rankings day six of the Nitto ATP finals 2024 at Inalpi Arena on November 15, 2024 in Turin, Italy.

TENNIS - Internazionali di Tennis - Nitto ATP Finals - Arevalo/Pavic vs Bolelli/Vavassori

TENNIS - Internazionali di Tennis - Nitto ATP Finals - Arevalo/Pavic vs Bolelli/Vavassori

Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador and Mate Pavic of Croatia celebrate reaching No1 in the ATP Doubles rankings day six of the Nitto ATP finals 2024 at Inalpi Arena on November 15, 2024 in Turin, Italy.

TENNIS - Internazionali di Tennis - Nitto ATP Finals - Arevalo/Pavic vs Bolelli/Vavassori

TENNIS - Internazionali di Tennis - Nitto ATP Finals - Arevalo/Pavic vs Bolelli/Vavassori

Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador and Mate Pavic of Croatia celebrate reaching No1 in the ATP Doubles rankings day six of the Nitto ATP finals 2024 at Inalpi Arena on November 15, 2024 in Turin, Italy.

TENNIS - Internazionali di Tennis - Nitto ATP Finals - Arevalo/Pavic vs Bolelli/Vavassori

TENNIS - Internazionali di Tennis - Nitto ATP Finals - Arevalo/Pavic vs Bolelli/Vavassori

Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador and Mate Pavic of Croatia celebrate reaching No1 in the ATP Doubles rankings day six of the Nitto ATP finals 2024 at Inalpi Arena on November 15, 2024 in Turin, Italy.

TENNIS - Internazionali di Tennis - Nitto ATP Finals - Arevalo/Pavic vs Bolelli/Vavassori

TENNIS - Internazionali di Tennis - Nitto ATP Finals - Arevalo/Pavic vs Bolelli/Vavassori

Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador and Mate Pavic of Croatia celebrate reaching No1 in the ATP Doubles rankings day six of the Nitto ATP finals 2024 at Inalpi Arena on November 15, 2024 in Turin, Italy.

Sumo: Hiradoumi

Sumo: Hiradoumi

Sumo wrestler Hiradoumi holds up the banzuke ranking sheet for the upcoming Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at the lodgings of his Sakaigawa stable in Fuso, Aichi Prefecture in central Japan, on July 1, 2024, after earning the fourth-highest rank of komusubi from the Japan Sumo Association in its latest rankings released the same day.

Sumo: Onosato

Sumo: Onosato

New sekiwake Onosato points to a wooden plaque with his name and rank at the lodgings of his Nishinoseki stable in Anjo, Aichi Prefecture in central Japan, on July 1, 2024. Onosato was promoted to the third-highest rank by the Japan Sumo Association in its latest rankings released the same day.

Sumo: Onosato

Sumo: Onosato

New sekiwake Onosato holds up the banzuke ranking sheet for the upcoming Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at the lodgings of his Nishinoseki stable in Anjo, Aichi Prefecture in central Japan, on July 1, 2024. Onosato was promoted to the third-highest rank by the Japan Sumo Association in its latest rankings released the same day.

[Breaking News]Tohoku Univ. to become 1st to receive new Japan gov't research grants

Tohoku University President Teiji Tominaga holds a press conference in Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on June 14, 2024, following the central government's decision to make the state-run university the only candidate for receiving substantial research grants under a program aimed at elevating Japanese research institutes in the global rankings.(Kyodo)

Tohoku Univ. to become 1st to receive new Japan gov't research grants

Tohoku Univ. to become 1st to receive new Japan gov't research grants

Photo taken on June 14, 2024, shows Tohoku University's Katahira campus in Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, following the central government's decision to make the state-run university the only candidate for receiving substantial research grants under a program aimed at elevating Japanese research institutes in the global rankings.

Tohoku Univ. to become 1st to receive new Japan gov't research grants

Tohoku Univ. to become 1st to receive new Japan gov't research grants

Tohoku University President Teiji Tominaga holds a press conference in Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on June 14, 2024, following the central government's decision to make the state-run university the only candidate for receiving substantial research grants under a program aimed at elevating Japanese research institutes in the global rankings.

Tohoku Univ. to become 1st to receive new Japan gov't research grants

Tohoku Univ. to become 1st to receive new Japan gov't research grants

Tohoku University President Teiji Tominaga holds a press conference in Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on June 14, 2024, following the central government's decision to make the state-run university the only candidate for receiving substantial research grants under a program aimed at elevating Japanese research institutes in the global rankings.

Dhaka Illustration

Dhaka Illustration

Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh, is located in central Bangladesh along the Buriganga River. Dhaka is one of the most populated city Despite improvements in scores across the board, Dhaka was ranked as the seventh least livable city in the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) 2023 rankings,the population is 18.237 million in the Greater Dhaka Area, while the city itself has a population estimated at about 8.5 million according to data. July21, 2023. Photo by Habibur Rahman/ABACAPRESS.COM

Dhaka Illustration

Dhaka Illustration

Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh, is located in central Bangladesh along the Buriganga River. Dhaka is one of the most populated city Despite improvements in scores across the board, Dhaka was ranked as the seventh least livable city in the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) 2023 rankings,the population is 18.237 million in the Greater Dhaka Area, while the city itself has a population estimated at about 8.5 million according to data. July21, 2023. Photo by Habibur Rahman/ABACAPRESS.COM

Dhaka Illustration

Dhaka Illustration

Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh, is located in central Bangladesh along the Buriganga River. Dhaka is one of the most populated city Despite improvements in scores across the board, Dhaka was ranked as the seventh least livable city in the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) 2023 rankings,the population is 18.237 million in the Greater Dhaka Area, while the city itself has a population estimated at about 8.5 million according to data. July21, 2023. Photo by Habibur Rahman/ABACAPRESS.COM

Dhaka Illustration

Dhaka Illustration

Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh, is located in central Bangladesh along the Buriganga River. Dhaka is one of the most populated city Despite improvements in scores across the board, Dhaka was ranked as the seventh least livable city in the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) 2023 rankings,the population is 18.237 million in the Greater Dhaka Area, while the city itself has a population estimated at about 8.5 million according to data. July21, 2023. Photo by Habibur Rahman/ABACAPRESS.COM

Dhaka Illustration

Dhaka Illustration

Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh, is located in central Bangladesh along the Buriganga River. Dhaka is one of the most populated city Despite improvements in scores across the board, Dhaka was ranked as the seventh least livable city in the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) 2023 rankings,the population is 18.237 million in the Greater Dhaka Area, while the city itself has a population estimated at about 8.5 million according to data. July21, 2023. Photo by Habibur Rahman/ABACAPRESS.COM

Dhaka Illustration

Dhaka Illustration

Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh, is located in central Bangladesh along the Buriganga River. Dhaka is one of the most populated city Despite improvements in scores across the board, Dhaka was ranked as the seventh least livable city in the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) 2023 rankings,the population is 18.237 million in the Greater Dhaka Area, while the city itself has a population estimated at about 8.5 million according to data. July21, 2023. Photo by Habibur Rahman/ABACAPRESS.COM

Dhaka Illustration

Dhaka Illustration

Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh, is located in central Bangladesh along the Buriganga River. Dhaka is one of the most populated city Despite improvements in scores across the board, Dhaka was ranked as the seventh least livable city in the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) 2023 rankings,the population is 18.237 million in the Greater Dhaka Area, while the city itself has a population estimated at about 8.5 million according to data. July21, 2023. Photo by Habibur Rahman/ABACAPRESS.COM

Dhaka Illustration

Dhaka Illustration

Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh, is located in central Bangladesh along the Buriganga River. Dhaka is one of the most populated city Despite improvements in scores across the board, Dhaka was ranked as the seventh least livable city in the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) 2023 rankings,the population is 18.237 million in the Greater Dhaka Area, while the city itself has a population estimated at about 8.5 million according to data. July21, 2023. Photo by Habibur Rahman/ABACAPRESS.COM

Dhaka Illustration

Dhaka Illustration

Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh, is located in central Bangladesh along the Buriganga River. Dhaka is one of the most populated city Despite improvements in scores across the board, Dhaka was ranked as the seventh least livable city in the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) 2023 rankings,the population is 18.237 million in the Greater Dhaka Area, while the city itself has a population estimated at about 8.5 million according to data. July21, 2023. Photo by Habibur Rahman/ABACAPRESS.COM

Dhaka Illustration

Dhaka Illustration

Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh, is located in central Bangladesh along the Buriganga River. Dhaka is one of the most populated city Despite improvements in scores across the board, Dhaka was ranked as the seventh least livable city in the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) 2023 rankings,the population is 18.237 million in the Greater Dhaka Area, while the city itself has a population estimated at about 8.5 million according to data. July21, 2023. Photo by Habibur Rahman/ABACAPRESS.COM

Tennis: Nishikori to play in Puerto Rico in return from injury

Tennis: Nishikori to play in Puerto Rico in return from injury

Former world No. 4 tennis player Kei Nishikori practices in Palmas Del Mar, Puerto Rico, on June 12, 2023, ahead of the Caribbean Open, an ATP Challenger Tour event, starting the same day. The 33-year-old Japanese, who last played on the ATP Tour in October 2021, has been out of the world rankings since October 2022 due to a long injury layoff.

Grateful Kunieda reflects fondly on "best" wheelchair tennis career

Japan's Shingo Kunieda, one of the greatest wheelchair tennis players of all time, said Tuesday during his retirement press conference that his career could not have gone any better. "I can clearly tell fans that I had the best tennis career," said the 38-year-old, who announced his retirement in late January while at the top of the world rankings. "Winning the gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics was the best moment of my career. I still get emotional when I look at pictures from that time." Kunieda won his third Paralympic singles gold in Tokyo in 2021 and completed his career Grand Slam by winning Wimbledon last year.

Wheelchair tennis star Kunieda at retirement press conference

Wheelchair tennis star Kunieda at retirement press conference

Wheelchair tennis player Shingo Kunieda poses with a racket after a retirement press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 7, 2023. In January, the winner of 28 Grand Slam titles and three Paralympic gold medals in the men's singles announced his retirement while at the top of the world rankings.

Wheelchair tennis star Kunieda at retirement press conference

Wheelchair tennis star Kunieda at retirement press conference

Wheelchair tennis player Shingo Kunieda poses with a racket after a retirement press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 7, 2023. In January, the winner of 28 Grand Slam titles and three Paralympic gold medals in the men's singles announced his retirement while at the top of the world rankings.

Wheelchair tennis star Kunieda at retirement press conference

Wheelchair tennis star Kunieda at retirement press conference

Wheelchair tennis player Shingo Kunieda smiles during a retirement press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 7, 2023. In January, the winner of 28 Grand Slam titles and three Paralympic gold medals in the men's singles announced his retirement while at the top of the world rankings.

Wheelchair tennis star Kunieda at retirement press conference

Wheelchair tennis star Kunieda at retirement press conference

Wheelchair tennis player Shingo Kunieda speaks during a retirement press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 7, 2023. In January, the winner of 28 Grand Slam titles and three Paralympic gold medals in the men's singles announced his retirement while at the top of the world rankings.

Wheelchair tennis star Kunieda at retirement press conference

Wheelchair tennis star Kunieda at retirement press conference

Wheelchair tennis player Shingo Kunieda smiles during a retirement press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 7, 2023. In January, the winner of 28 Grand Slam titles and three Paralympic gold medals in the men's singles announced his retirement while at the top of the world rankings.

Wheelchair tennis star Kunieda at retirement press conference

Wheelchair tennis star Kunieda at retirement press conference

Wheelchair tennis player Shingo Kunieda speaks during a retirement press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 7, 2023. In January, the winner of 28 Grand Slam titles and three Paralympic gold medals in the men's singles announced his retirement while at the top of the world rankings.

Wheelchair tennis star Kunieda at retirement press conference

Wheelchair tennis star Kunieda at retirement press conference

Wheelchair tennis player Shingo Kunieda is pictured during a retirement press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 7, 2023. In January, the winner of 28 Grand Slam titles and three Paralympic gold medals in the men's singles announced his retirement while at the top of the world rankings.

Wheelchair tennis star Kunieda at retirement press conference

Wheelchair tennis star Kunieda at retirement press conference

Wheelchair tennis player Shingo Kunieda (R) receives flowers from Tadashi Yanai, chairman and CEO of his sponsor Fast Retailing Co., during a retirement press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 7, 2023. In January, the winner of 28 Grand Slam titles and three Paralympic gold medals in the men's singles announced his retirement while at the top of the world rankings.

Boxing: Inoue vacates 4 belts, moves up to super bantam

Undefeated Japanese boxer Naoya Inoue announced his decision Friday to relinquish all four bantamweight belts and move up to the super bantamweight division. The 29-year-old, nicknamed "Monster," completed a sweep of the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF belts last month with an 11th-round knockout of Britain's Paul Butler, who came in as the World Boxing Organization's bantamweight champion. "The real battle starts from here," Inoue said at a press conference in Yokohama. "I'm very excited." He became the first Japanese to top the pound-for-pound rankings published by the prestigious Ring magazine in June 2022 and now has a 24-0 record, with 21 knockouts.

TOP 10 WORLD SPORTS NEWS EVENTS IN 2022

TOP 10 WORLD SPORTS NEWS EVENTS IN 2022

(221228) -- BEIJING, Dec. 28, 2022 (Xinhua) -- File photo taken on Sept. 15, 2019 shows team Spain celebrate during the awarding ceremony after the final match between Spain and Argentina at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Beijing, capital of China. Spain overtook the United States to become the new No. 1 team in the FIBA men's world rankings released on November 18. Spain is only the second team to top the rankings since 2010, ending a 12-year run of the United States holding the top position. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

TOP 10 CHINESE SPORTS NEWS EVENTS IN 2022

TOP 10 CHINESE SPORTS NEWS EVENTS IN 2022

(221227) -- BEIJING, Dec. 27, 2022 (Xinhua) -- File photo taken on Aug. 31, 2022 shows Wu Yibing of China celebrates after the men's singles second round match against Nuno Borges of Portugal at the 2022 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States. 2022 marked a fruitful year for Chinese tennis. In May, Zheng Qinwen reached the round of 16 in her maiden French Open main draw appearance. In August's US Open, qualifier Wu Yibing became the first Chinese mainland player to reach the men's singles third round of any Grand Slam event in the Open Era. In October, Zhang Zhizhen became the first male player from the Chinese mainland to break into the top 100 in the ATP live rankings. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

TOP 10 WORLD ATHLETES OF 2022

TOP 10 WORLD ATHLETES OF 2022

(221226) -- BEIJING, Dec. 26, 2022 (Xinhua) -- File photo taken on June 5, 2022 shows Iga Swiatek of Poland poses with the trophy after winning the women's singles champion of the French Open tennis tournament at the Bir-Hakeim bridge in Paris, France. Swiatek won eight titles including the French Open and US Open in 2022 and set the record for the longest 37 winning streak in women's tennis in the 21st century. The 21-year-old finished the season as No.1 in the WTA year-end singles rankings. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

TOP 10 CHINESE ATHLETES OF 2022

TOP 10 CHINESE ATHLETES OF 2022

(221225) -- BEIJING, Dec. 25, 2022 (Xinhua) -- File photo taken on Sept. 3, 2022 shows Zheng Qinwen of China hits a return during the women's singles third round match against Jule Niemeier of Germany at the 2022 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States. Zheng reached the round of 16 at the French Open and advanced to the third round of the Wimbledon Championships and US Open. The 20-year-old rose over 100 places to finish 25th this season in the WTA rankings and was named the 2022 WTA Newcomer of the Year. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Mongolia's Hakuho promoted to komusubi for New Year Sumo

Mongolia's Hakuho promoted to komusubi for New Year Sumo

TOKYO, Japan - The 19-year-old rising star Hakuho of Mongolia points to his name in the new rankings list the Japan Sumo Association released Dec. 23 for the upcoming New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.

Kotomitsuki set for ozeki debut as JSA releases autumn rankings

Kotomitsuki set for ozeki debut as JSA releases autumn rankings

TOKYO, Japan - Newly promoted ozeki Kotomitsuki (R) and his stable master Sadogatake pose for photographers at the Sadogatake stable in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture on Aug. 27, holding up the rankings list for the Sept. 9-23 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo released by the Japan Sumo Association earlier in the day.