[Breaking News]Lawmakers at Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine

TOKYO, Japan, April 22 Kyodo - A cross-party group of Japanese lawmakers visits the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on the occasion of its three-day spring festival on April 22, 2026. (Kyodo)

Yasukuni shrine

TOKYO, Japan, April 21 Kyodo - Video shows the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, the first day of the three-day spring festival. (Kyodo)

Japan Princess Aiko at concert

Japan Princess Aiko at concert

Japan's Princess Aiko attends a spring concert of ancient Japanese gagaku court music at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on April 25, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan Princess Aiko at concert

Japan Princess Aiko at concert

Japan's Princess Aiko attends a spring concert of ancient Japanese gagaku court music at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on April 25, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan Princess Aiko at concert

Japan Princess Aiko at concert

Japan's Princess Aiko attends a spring concert of ancient Japanese gagaku court music at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on April 25, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan Princess Aiko at concert

Japan Princess Aiko at concert

Japan's Princess Aiko attends a spring concert of ancient Japanese gagaku court music at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on April 25, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan Princess Aiko at concert

Japan Princess Aiko at concert

Japan's Princess Aiko attends a spring concert of ancient Japanese gagaku court music at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on April 25, 2026. (Pool photo)

Ancient Japanese court music concert

Ancient Japanese court music concert

A spring concert of ancient Japanese gagaku court music is performed at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on April 25, 2026. (Pool photo)

Lawmakers at Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine

Lawmakers at Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine

Ichiro Aisawa (C), who heads a cross-party group of Japanese lawmakers, speaks during a press conference after the group visited the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on April 22, 2026, during its three-day spring festival.

Lawmakers at Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine

Lawmakers at Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine

A cross-party group of Japanese lawmakers visits the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on the occasion of its three-day spring festival on April 22, 2026.

Japanese lawmaker visits Yasukuni shrine

Japanese lawmaker visits Yasukuni shrine

Fumitake Fujita, co-leader of the Japan Innovation Party, a ruling coalition partner of the Liberal Democratic Party, visits the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, the first day of the three-day spring festival.

Japanese lawmaker visits Yasukuni shrine

Japanese lawmaker visits Yasukuni shrine

Fumitake Fujita, co-leader of the Japan Innovation Party, a ruling coalition partner of the Liberal Democratic Party, visits the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, the first day of the three-day spring festival.

Japanese lawmaker visits Yasukuni shrine

Japanese lawmaker visits Yasukuni shrine

Fumitake Fujita, co-leader of the Japan Innovation Party, a ruling coalition partner of the Liberal Democratic Party, speaks to the press after visiting the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, the first day of the three-day spring festival.

Japan PM Takaichi's ritual offering to Yasukuni shrine

Japan PM Takaichi's ritual offering to Yasukuni shrine

Photo taken at the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, shows the "masakaki" ritual offering (L) sent by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for the Shinto shrine's three-day spring festival. Takaichi, who had routinely visited the shrine before taking office last October, appears to have sent the offering instead of visiting.

Japan PM Takaichi's ritual offering to Yasukuni shrine

Japan PM Takaichi's ritual offering to Yasukuni shrine

Photo taken at the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, shows the "masakaki" ritual offering (L) sent by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for the Shinto shrine's three-day spring festival. Takaichi, who had routinely visited the shrine before taking office last October, appears to have sent the offering instead of visiting.

Yasukuni shrine

Yasukuni shrine

Photo shows the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, the first day of the three-day spring festival.

Yasukuni shrine

Yasukuni shrine

Photo shows the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on April 21, 2026, the first day of the three-day spring festival.

Japanese imperial garden party

Japanese imperial garden party

(from L, back) Japanese Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Aiko and Princess Kako attend a spring imperial garden party at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo on April 17, 2026. Walking in front of them is Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Japanese imperial garden party

Japanese imperial garden party

(from L, back) Japanese Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Aiko and Princess Kako attend a spring imperial garden party at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo on April 17, 2026. Walking in front of them is Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Japanese imperial garden party

Japanese imperial garden party

Professor Susumu Kitagawa of Kyoto University, a co-winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in chemistry, meets the press during a spring imperial garden party at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo on April 17, 2026.

Japanese imperial garden party

Japanese imperial garden party

Professor Susumu Kitagawa of Kyoto University, a co-winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in chemistry, meets the press during a spring imperial garden party at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo on April 17, 2026. (Pool photo)

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

A float is paraded in Takayama in the central Japan prefecture of Gifu on April 14, 2026, the first day of the two-day annual Spring Takayama Festival that was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2016.

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Floats are paraded in Takayama in the central Japan prefecture of Gifu on April 14, 2026, the first day of the two-day annual Spring Takayama Festival that was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2016.

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Colorful floats cross a bridge in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on April 14, 2026, the first day of the two-day Takayama Spring Festival.

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Colorful floats cross a bridge in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on April 14, 2026, the first day of the two-day Takayama Spring Festival.

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

Takayama Spring Festival in central Japan

A colorful float parades through streets in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, on April 14, 2026, the first day of the two-day Takayama Spring Festival.

[Breaking News]Carp streamers in Hokkaido

SAPPORO, Japan, April 10 Kyodo - Carp streamers flutter in the wind over Jozankei hot spring resort in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on April 10, 2026, ahead of Children's Day on May 5. (Kyodo)

Carp streamers in Hokkaido

Carp streamers in Hokkaido

Carp streamers flutter in the wind over Jozankei hot spring resort in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on April 10, 2026, ahead of Children's Day on May 5.

Carp streamers in Hokkaido

Carp streamers in Hokkaido

Carp streamers flutter in the wind over Jozankei hot spring resort in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on April 10, 2026, ahead of Children's Day on May 5.

Carp streamers in Hokkaido

Carp streamers in Hokkaido

Carp streamers flutter in the wind over Jozankei hot spring resort in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on April 10, 2026, ahead of Children's Day on May 5.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, western Japan, is lit up during a test event on March 26, 2026, a day before the start of its spring special night viewing through April 5.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, western Japan, is lit up during a test event on March 26, 2026, a day before the start of its spring special night viewing through April 5.

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple lit up in Kyoto

Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto, western Japan, is lit up during a test event on March 26, 2026, a day before the start of its spring special night viewing through April 5.

Sumo: Kirishima earns re-promotion to ozeki

Sumo: Kirishima earns re-promotion to ozeki

Sumo wrestler Kirishima (top) poses following his re-promotion to the sport's second-highest rank of ozeki in Sakai in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, on March 25, 2026. The winner of the Emperor's Cup in the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament that concluded on March 22, the Mongolian was promoted to ozeki in 2023 but slipped from the position the following year due to poor performance.

Sumo: Kirishima earns re-promotion to ozeki

Sumo: Kirishima earns re-promotion to ozeki

Sumo wrestler Kirishima (L) meets the press following his re-promotion to the sport's second-highest rank of ozeki in Sakai in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, on March 25, 2026. The winner of the Emperor's Cup in the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament that concluded on March 22, the Mongolian was promoted to ozeki in 2023 but slipped from the position the following year due to poor performance.

Sumo: Kirishima earns re-promotion to ozeki

Sumo: Kirishima earns re-promotion to ozeki

Sumo wrestler Kirishima meets the press following his re-promotion to the sport's second-highest rank of ozeki in Sakai in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, on March 25, 2026. The winner of the Emperor's Cup in the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament that concluded on March 22, the Mongolian was promoted to ozeki in 2023 but slipped from the position the following year due to poor performance.

Sumo: Kirishima earns re-promotion to ozeki

Sumo: Kirishima earns re-promotion to ozeki

Sumo wrestler Kirishima (C) celebrates his re-promotion to the sport's second-highest rank of ozeki in Sakai in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, on March 25, 2026, after winning the Emperor's Cup in the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament that concluded on March 22. The Mongolian was promoted to ozeki in 2023 but slipped from the position the following year due to poor performance.

Sumo: Kirishima earns re-promotion to ozeki

Sumo: Kirishima earns re-promotion to ozeki

Sumo wrestler Kirishima (L) accepts his promotion to the sport's second-highest rank of ozeki during a ceremony at his stable in Sakai in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, on March 25, 2026, after winning the Emperor's Cup in the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament that concluded on March 22. The Mongolian was promoted to ozeki in 2023 but slipped from the position the following year due to poor performance.

Sumo: Kirishima earns re-promotion to ozeki

Sumo: Kirishima earns re-promotion to ozeki

Sumo wrestler Kirishima (2nd from L) accepts his promotion to the sport's second-highest rank of ozeki during a ceremony at his stable in Sakai in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, on March 25, 2026, after winning the Emperor's Cup in the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament that concluded on March 22. The Mongolian was promoted to ozeki in 2023 but slipped from the position the following year due to poor performance.

Sumo: Kirishima earns re-promotion to ozeki

Sumo: Kirishima earns re-promotion to ozeki

Sumo wrestler Kirishima (C) accepts his promotion to the sport's second-highest rank of ozeki during a ceremony at his stable in Sakai in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, on March 25, 2026, after winning the Emperor's Cup in the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament that concluded on March 22. The Mongolian was promoted to ozeki in 2023 but slipped from the position the following year due to poor performance.

Spring 2026 Labor Negotiations: Date for Concentrated Responses

Spring 2026 Labor Negotiations: Date for Concentrated Responses

Spring 2026 Labor Negotiations: Date for Consolidated Responses. The status of responses from each company will be recorded.=March 18,2026,Tokyo

Spring 2026 Labor Negotiations: Date for Concentrated Responses

Spring 2026 Labor Negotiations: Date for Concentrated Responses

Spring 2026 Labor Negotiations: Date for Consolidated Responses. The status of responses from each company will be recorded.=March 18,2026,Tokyo

Spring 2026 Labor Negotiations: Date for Concentrated Responses

Spring 2026 Labor Negotiations: Date for Concentrated Responses

Spring 2026 Labor Negotiations: Date for Consolidated Responses. The status of responses from each company will be recorded.=March 18,2026,Tokyo

Spring 2026 Labor Negotiations: Date for Concentrated Responses

Spring 2026 Labor Negotiations: Date for Concentrated Responses

Spring 2026 Labor Negotiations: Date for Consolidated Responses. The status of responses from each company will be recorded.=March 18,2026,Tokyo

Spring 2026 Labor Negotiations: Date for Concentrated Responses

Spring 2026 Labor Negotiations: Date for Concentrated Responses

Spring 2026 Labor Negotiations: Date for Consolidated Responses. The status of responses from each company will be recorded.=March 18,2026,Tokyo

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei plays catch ahead of a spring training baseball game against the San Diego Padres in Glendale, Arizona, on March 20, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training

Baseball: MLB spring training

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Otani plays catch ahead of a spring training baseball game against the San Diego Padres in Glendale, Arizona, on March 20, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training game

Baseball: MLB spring training game

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani strikes out swinging in the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the San Diego Padres in Glendale, Arizona, on March 20, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training game

Baseball: MLB spring training game

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani strikes out swinging in the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the San Diego Padres in Glendale, Arizona, on March 20, 2026.

Baseball: MLB spring training game

Baseball: MLB spring training game

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani strikes out swinging in the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game against the San Diego Padres in Glendale, Arizona, on March 20, 2026.