Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Japanese Princess Aiko arrives at the venue of the 37th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors in Tokyo on Aug. 17, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Japanese Princess Aiko arrives at the venue of the 37th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors in Tokyo on Aug. 17, 2026. (Pool photo) ==Kyodo

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Japanese Princess Aiko speaks during the opening ceremony of the 37th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors in Tokyo on Aug. 17, 2026.

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Japanese Princess Aiko attends the opening ceremony of the 37th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors in Tokyo on Aug. 17, 2026.

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Japanese Princess Aiko (R) attends the opening ceremony of the 37th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors in Tokyo on Aug. 17, 2026.

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Japanese Princess Aiko attends the opening ceremony of the 37th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors in Tokyo on Aug. 17, 2026.

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Japanese Princess Aiko attends the opening ceremony of the 37th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors in Tokyo on Aug. 17, 2026.

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Japanese Princess Aiko speaks during the opening ceremony of the 37th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors in Tokyo on Aug. 17, 2026.

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Japanese Princess Aiko speaks during the opening ceremony of the 37th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors in Tokyo on Aug. 17, 2026.

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Princess Aiko attends international chip conference

Japanese Princess Aiko speaks during the opening ceremony of the 37th International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors in Tokyo on Aug. 17, 2026.

Japan's 10-year gov't bond yield hits 2.930%

Japan's 10-year gov't bond yield hits 2.930%

A financial monitor in Tokyo shows the yield on Japan's newly issued benchmark 10-year government bond hitting 2.930 percent on the morning of Aug. 17, 2026, its highest level since October 1996, amid growing speculation of early credit tightening by the Bank of Japan.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

Police officers search for missing persons in a swollen river in Chiba near Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, following the torrential rain that hit the region on Aug. 13.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

Chiba city government officials push an abandoned vehicle on a road in Chiba near Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, following the torrential rain that hit the area on Aug. 13.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

Police officers search for missing persons in a swollen river in Chiba near Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, following the torrential rain that hit the region on Aug. 13.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

A police officer searches for missing persons in a swollen river in Chiba near Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, following the torrential rain that hit the region on Aug. 13.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

Police officers search for missing persons near a swollen river in Chiba near Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, following the torrential rain that hit the region on Aug. 13.

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

Aftermath of torrential rain in Chiba

Police officers search for missing persons in a swollen river in Chiba near Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, following the torrential rain that hit the region on Aug. 13.

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japanese Princess Kako uses sign language while delivering a speech at a sign language speech contest for high school students in Tokyo on Aug. 16, 2026.

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japanese Princess Kako uses sign language while delivering a speech at a sign language speech contest for high school students in Tokyo on Aug. 16, 2026.

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japanese Princess Kako uses sign language while delivering a speech at a sign language speech contest for high school students in Tokyo on Aug. 16, 2026.

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japanese Princess Kako uses sign language while delivering a speech at a sign language speech contest for high school students in Tokyo on Aug. 16, 2026.

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japanese Princess Kako uses sign language while delivering a speech at a sign language speech contest for high school students in Tokyo on Aug. 16, 2026.

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japanese Princess Kako uses sign language while delivering a speech at a sign language speech contest for high school students in Tokyo on Aug. 16, 2026.

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japanese Princess Kako uses sign language while delivering a speech at a sign language speech contest for high school students in Tokyo on Aug. 16, 2026.

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japanese Princess Kako uses sign language while delivering a speech at a sign language speech contest for high school students in Tokyo on Aug. 16, 2026.

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japanese Princess Kako uses sign language while delivering a speech at a sign language speech contest for high school students in Tokyo on Aug. 16, 2026.

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japanese Princess Kako uses sign language while delivering a speech at a sign language speech contest for high school students in Tokyo on Aug. 16, 2026.

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japanese Princess Kako uses sign language while delivering a speech at a sign language speech contest for high school students in Tokyo on Aug. 16, 2026.

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japanese Princess Kako uses sign language while delivering a speech at a sign language speech contest for high school students in Tokyo on Aug. 16, 2026.

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japanese Princess Kako uses sign language while delivering a speech at a sign language speech contest for high school students in Tokyo on Aug. 16, 2026.

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japanese Princess Kako communicates with participants at a sign language speech contest for high school students in Tokyo on Aug. 16, 2026.

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japan princess attends sign language speech contest

Japanese Princess Kako attends a sign language speech contest for high school students in Tokyo on Aug. 16, 2026.

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Travelers fill an arrival lobby of Narita airport in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Aug. 16, 2026, after spending Japan's "Bon" summer holidays overseas.

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Travelers fill an arrival lobby of Narita airport in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Aug. 16, 2026, after spending Japan's "Bon" summer holidays overseas.

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Tokyo-bound lanes (L) on the Tomei Expressway packed with cars in Ebina in Kanagawa Prefecture on Aug. 16, 2026, as the "bon" summer holiday season nears its end.

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Tokyo-bound lanes (L) on the Tomei Expressway packed with cars in Ebina in Kanagawa Prefecture on Aug. 16, 2026, as the "bon" summer holiday season nears its end.

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Tokyo-bound lanes (L) on the Tomei Expressway packed with cars in Ebina in Kanagawa Prefecture on Aug. 16, 2026, as the "bon" summer holiday season nears its end.

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Return rush of "bon" summer holidaymakers in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Tokyo-bound lanes (L) on the Tomei Expressway packed with cars in Ebina in Kanagawa Prefecture on Aug. 16, 2026, as the "bon" summer holiday season nears its end.

New high-speed train shipped to Taiwan from Japan

New high-speed train shipped to Taiwan from Japan

The lead car of the new-generation N700ST train is unloaded at a port in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, on Aug. 15, 2026, for commercial service, possibly starting July 2027. In 2023, Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. ordered 12 N700STs, built based on the N700S model used on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line connecting Tokyo and Shin-Osaka stations, from Japan's Hitachi Ltd. and Toshiba Corp.

New high-speed train shipped to Taiwan from Japan

New high-speed train shipped to Taiwan from Japan

The lead car of the new-generation N700ST train is unloaded at a port in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, on Aug. 15, 2026, for commercial service, possibly starting July 2027. In 2023, Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. ordered 12 N700STs, built based on the N700S model used on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line connecting Tokyo and Shin-Osaka stations, from Japan's Hitachi Ltd. and Toshiba Corp.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) offers flowers at a memorial ceremony for the war dead at Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

Attendees offer flowers at a memorial ceremony for the war dead at Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

Attendees observe a moment of silence at a memorial ceremony for the war dead at Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

Attendees observe a moment of silence at a memorial ceremony for the war dead at Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

Attendees observe a moment of silence at a memorial ceremony for the war dead at Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

Attendees observe a moment of silence at a memorial ceremony for the war dead at Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

A memorial ceremony for the war dead is held at Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

A memorial ceremony for the war dead is held at Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a memorial ceremony for the war dead at Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

81st anniv. of Japan's WWII surrender

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a memorial ceremony for the war dead at Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo on Aug. 15, 2026, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.