Japan PM Takaichi heads for France

Japan PM Takaichi heads for France

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi waves at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Fiumicino, near Rome, on June 15, 2026, before flying to France via Switzerland for a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains. (Pool photo)

Japan PM Takaichi heads for France

Japan PM Takaichi heads for France

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi waves at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Fiumicino, near Rome, on June 15, 2026, before flying to France via Switzerland for a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains. (Pool photo)

Japan PM Takaichi heads for France

Japan PM Takaichi heads for France

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi waves at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Fiumicino, near Rome, on June 15, 2026, before flying to France via Switzerland for a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains. (Pool photo)

Japan PM Takaichi heads for France

Japan PM Takaichi heads for France

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) is greeted at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Fiumicino, near Rome, on June 15, 2026, before departing for France via Switzerland for a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains. (Pool photo)

Japan PM Takaichi heads for France

Japan PM Takaichi heads for France

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) is greeted at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Fiumicino, near Rome, on June 15, 2026, before departing for France via Switzerland for a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains. (Pool photo)

Japan PM Takaichi arrives in Britain

Japan PM Takaichi arrives in Britain

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi waves upon arriving at Stansted Airport near London on June 13, 2026. Takaichi will visit Italy as well as Britain before attending a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains.

Japan PM Takaichi arrives in Britain

Japan PM Takaichi arrives in Britain

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from R) arrives at Stansted Airport near London on June 13, 2026. Takaichi will visit Italy as well as Britain before attending a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains.

Japan PM Takaichi arrives in Britain

Japan PM Takaichi arrives in Britain

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives at Stansted Airport near London on June 13, 2026. Takaichi will visit Italy as well as Britain before attending a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains.

Japan PM Takaichi arrives in Britain

Japan PM Takaichi arrives in Britain

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) arrives at Stansted Airport near London on June 13, 2026. Takaichi will visit Italy as well as Britain before attending a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains.

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi departs from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for her first trip to Europe since taking office in October. Takaichi will visit Britain and Italy before attending a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains.

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi departs from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for her first trip to Europe since taking office in October. Takaichi will visit Britain and Italy before attending a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains.

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi departs from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for her first trip to Europe since taking office in October. Takaichi will visit Britain and Italy before attending a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains.

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi departs from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for her first trip to Europe since taking office in October. Takaichi will visit Britain and Italy before attending a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains.

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi departs from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for her first trip to Europe since taking office in October. Takaichi will visit Britain and Italy before attending a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains.

Japan: White Killer Whale Filmed off Rausu, Hokkaido in Rare Encounter

A rare white killer whale has been spotted off the coast of Rausu, Hokkaido, in northeastern Japan — an exceptionally uncommon sighting even by global standards. The white orca was filmed on Monday, June 8, among a pod of killer whales approximately 3.5 miles (about 6 km) north-northeast of Rausu Port. The animal is believed to be a leucistic individual rather than an albino — leucism results in reduced pigmentation while retaining the ability to produce melanin, unlike albinism, which causes red eyes. The orca's eyes appear dark, which is consistent with leucism.

RECAP: Typhoon Jangmi Lashes Okinawa and Amami, Leaving 16 Injured

Typhoon Jangmi brought heavy rain and strong winds to Okinawa and Amami islands, southern Japan on Monday, June 1. In Okinawa Prefecture, 16 people sustained minor injuries, including some who were knocked down by strong winds and others who were struck by shattered car windows.

Japan: Decomposing Whale Carcass Discovered on Hokkaido Coastline

A dead humpback whale measuring 8 to 10 metres was discovered washed ashore in Samani Town, Hokkaido, Japan, on May 26. The decomposing carcass will be buried nearby, with residents warned to keep away.

Trilateral fighter project

Trilateral fighter project

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (L) meets with Edgewing CEO Marco Zoff in Tokyo on May 21, 2026. Based in the English town of Reading, Edgewing is a venture company set up to lead the design of a next-generation fighter jet planned jointly by Japan, Britain and Italy.

[Breaking News]Retired speed skater Takagi in home town parade

MAKUBETSU, Japan, May 11 Kyodo - Retired Japanese speed skater Miho Takagi waves during a parade in her home town of Makubetsu in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 9, 2026. Takagi, 31, a winner of 10 Olympic medals, retired from competition after competing in the Milan Cortina Olympics in February. (Kyodo)

Retired speed skater Takagi in home town parade

Retired speed skater Takagi in home town parade

Retired Japanese speed skater Miho Takagi waves during a parade in her home town of Makubetsu in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 9, 2026. Takagi, 31, a winner of 10 Olympic medals, retired from competition after competing in the Milan Cortina Olympics in February.

Retired speed skater Takagi in home town parade

Retired speed skater Takagi in home town parade

Retired Japanese speed skater Miho Takagi (C) waves during a parade in her home town of Makubetsu in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 9, 2026. Takagi, 31, a winner of 10 Olympic medals, retired from competition after competing in the Milan Cortina Olympics in February.

Retired speed skater Takagi in home town parade

Retired speed skater Takagi in home town parade

Retired Japanese speed skater Miho Takagi waves during a parade in her home town of Makubetsu in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on May 9, 2026. Takagi, 31, a winner of 10 Olympic medals, retired from competition after competing in the Milan Cortina Olympics in February.

Tennis: Kei Nishikori

Tennis: Kei Nishikori

A woman holds copies of an extra edition of a newspaper handed out in Matsue in Shimane Prefecture, western Japan, after Japanese tennis icon and former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori, who hails from the town, said on social media he will retire at the end of the season.

Tennis: Kei Nishikori

Tennis: Kei Nishikori

A woman holds copies of an extra edition of a newspaper handed out in Matsue in Shimane Prefecture, western Japan, after Japanese tennis icon and former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori, who hails from the town, said on social media he will retire at the end of the season.

[Breaking News]Wildfires in northeastern Japan

OTSUCHI, Japan, April 24 Kyodo - Smoke blankets mountainous areas of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on April 24, 2026, as wildfires continue following its outbreak at two locations in the northeastern Japan town two days before. (Kyodo)

Azaleas in full bloom near Fukushima plant

Azaleas in full bloom near Fukushima plant

Azaleas are seen in full bloom at JR Yonomori Station in Tomioka, a Fukushima Prefecture town near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, on April 28, 2026. Plants at the JR Joban Line station started to bloom several years ago, even though the shrubs were cut down at the stump in the winter of 2017 when the area was decontaminated.

Azaleas in full bloom near Fukushima plant

Azaleas in full bloom near Fukushima plant

Azaleas are seen in full bloom at JR Yonomori Station in Tomioka, a Fukushima Prefecture town near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, on April 28, 2026. Plants at the JR Joban Line station started to bloom several years ago, even though the shrubs were cut down at the stump in the winter of 2017 when the area was decontaminated.

Azaleas in full bloom near Fukushima plant

Azaleas in full bloom near Fukushima plant

Azaleas are seen in full bloom at JR Yonomori Station in Tomioka, a Fukushima Prefecture town near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, on April 28, 2026. Plants at the JR Joban Line station started to bloom several years ago, even though the shrubs were cut down at the stump in the winter of 2017 when the area was decontaminated.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

Firefighting operations continue at the sites of wildfires in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on April 28, 2026, following outbreaks in two districts in the northeastern Japan town six days earlier.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

A helicopter flies for firefighting operations in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on April 28, 2026, as wildfires continue following outbreaks in two districts in the northeastern Japan town six days earlier.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

Firefighting operations continue at the sites of wildfires in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on April 28, 2026, following outbreaks in two districts in the northeastern Japan town six days earlier.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

Firefighting operations continue at the sites of wildfires in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on April 28, 2026, following outbreaks in two districts in the northeastern Japan town six days earlier.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

A helicopter collects seawater as firefighting operations continue in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on April 28, 2026, following the outbreak of wildfires in two districts in the northeastern Japan town six days earlier.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

A helicopter collects seawater as firefighting operations continue in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on April 28, 2026, following the outbreak of wildfires in two districts in the northeastern Japan town six days earlier.

Wildfires in northeastern Japan

OTSUCHI, Japan, April 23 Kyodo - A wildfire burns in a mountainous area in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 22, 2026, prompting local authorities to urge over 1,000 residents to evacuate. Another fire broke out in the same town earlier in the day. (Kyodo)

Wildfires in northeastern Japan

OTSUCHI, Japan, April 23 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News plane shows smoke rising from a mountainous area in the town of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 23, 2026, as wildfires that broke out at two sites in the town the previous day continue. (Kyodo)

Japan: Otsuchi Town in Iwate Shrouded in Smoke From Wildfire

Two wildfires burning in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture have entered their sixth day, with flames continuing to spread into school grounds and residential neighborhoods, prompting authorities to issue new evacuation orders for additional districts. The fires, which broke out on April 22, have scorched more than 1,600 hectares. The videos show the Kirikiri district shrouded in smoke from one of the fires on April 25.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

A Self-Defense Forces helicopter collects seawater as firefighting operations continue at the sites of wildfires in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 27, 2026, following an outbreak at multiple locations in the town five days before.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

A Self-Defense Forces helicopter collects seawater as firefighting operations continue at the sites of wildfires in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 27, 2026, following an outbreak at multiple locations in the town five days before.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

Photo shows corrugated carboard beds in a temporary evacuation center in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on April 26, 2026, as a wildfire continues to rage in the northeastern Japan town.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

Smoke rises near an expressway intersection in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on April 26, 2026, as a wildfire continues to rage in the northeastern Japan town.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

Wildfire in Iwate Pref.

Smoke rises near an expressway intersection in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on April 26, 2026, as a wildfire continues to rage in the northeastern Japan town.

US: Tornado Hits Enid, Oklahoma 3

A tornado struck Enid, Oklahoma, on Thursday night, April 23, damaging homes and hitting Vance Air Force Base. Several injuries were confirmed on the city's south side, with no fatalities reported. The twister moved through residential areas, an airport, and several colleges before heading toward the nearby town of Fairmont. A separate tornado was also confirmed near Braman, Kay County, around 7:30 p.m.

US: Tornado Hits Enid, Oklahoma 4

A tornado struck Enid, Oklahoma, on Thursday night, April 23, damaging homes and hitting Vance Air Force Base. Several injuries were confirmed on the city's south side, with no fatalities reported. The twister moved through residential areas, an airport, and several colleges before heading toward the nearby town of Fairmont. A separate tornado was also confirmed near Braman, Kay County, around 7:30 p.m.

Japan: Wildfires Grow in Iwate’s Otsuchi as Evacuation Orders Widen 2

This video shows the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, in northeast Japan shrouded in wildfire smoke as the fires kept spreading on Thursday, April 23. The two blazes, which broke out in forested areas on the afternoon of April 22, have scorched more than 1,000 hectares of land as of Friday, April 24, with at least eight structures — including a home — reported destroyed. Authorities issued evacuation orders for more than 3,000 people as firefighting efforts continue.

US: Tornado Hits Enid, Oklahoma

A tornado struck Enid, Oklahoma, on Thursday night, April 23, damaging homes and hitting Vance Air Force Base. Several injuries were confirmed on the city's south side, with no fatalities reported. The twister moved through residential areas, an airport, and several colleges before heading toward the nearby town of Fairmont. A separate tornado was also confirmed near Braman, Kay County, around 7:30 p.m.

US: Tornado Hits Enid, Oklahoma 2

A tornado struck Enid, Oklahoma, on Thursday night, April 23, damaging homes and hitting Vance Air Force Base. Several injuries were confirmed on the city's south side, with no fatalities reported. The twister moved through residential areas, an airport, and several colleges before heading toward the nearby town of Fairmont. A separate tornado was also confirmed near Braman, Kay County, around 7:30 p.m.

Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Smoke blankets mountainous areas of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on April 24, 2026, as wildfires continue following its outbreak at two locations in the northeastern Japan town two days before.

Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Smoke blankets mountainous areas of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on April 24, 2026, as wildfires continue following its outbreak at two locations in the northeastern Japan town two days before.

Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Smoke blankets mountainous areas of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on April 24, 2026, as wildfires continue following its outbreak at two locations in the northeastern Japan town two days before.