Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) shakes hands with Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2026. Koike told the press afterward that she called for the central government to address the capital's expected tax revenue fall following the planned cut to 1 percent from the current 8 percent in the consumption tax on food and beverages for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) shakes hands with Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2026. Koike told the press afterward that she called for the central government to address the capital's expected tax revenue fall following the planned cut to 1 percent from the current 8 percent in the consumption tax on food and beverages for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japan PM meets with Tokyo governor

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) shakes hands with Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 7, 2026. Koike told the press afterward that she called for the central government to address the capital's expected tax revenue fall following the planned cut to 1 percent from the current 8 percent in the consumption tax on food and beverages for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is pictured ahead of an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is pictured ahead of an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is pictured ahead of an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japan Cabinet endorses 2-year consumption tax cut on food

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) and her ministers are pictured ahead of an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 5, 2026. The Cabinet approved a plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Photo taken on Aug. 4, 2026, shows a plaque to be given to 10-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi at a ceremony to confer the People's Honor Award at the prime minister's office in Tokyo later in the day. Each of the knives is engraved with her name and the award title. The four-time Olympian, 32, won two gold, four silver and four bronze medals before announcing her retirement in April.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Photo taken on Aug. 4, 2026, shows a commemorative set of 10 cooking knives to be given to 10-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi during a ceremony to confer the People's Honor Award at the prime minister's office in Tokyo later in the day. Each of the knives is engraved with her name and the award title, as the 32-year old won two gold, four silver and four bronze medals before announcing her retirement in April.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Photo taken on Aug. 4, 2026, shows a commemorative set of 10 cooking knives to be given to 10-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi during a ceremony to confer the People's Honor Award at the prime minister's office in Tokyo later in the day. Each of the knives is engraved with her name and the award title, as the 32-year old won two gold, four silver and four bronze medals before announcing her retirement in April.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Photo taken on Aug. 4, 2026, shows a commemorative set of 10 cooking knives to be given to 10-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi during a ceremony to confer the People's Honor Award at the prime minister's office in Tokyo later in the day. Each of the knives is engraved with her name and the award title, as the 32-year old won two gold, four silver and four bronze medals before announcing her retirement in April.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi (L) poses with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi as she receives a commemorative set of 10 cooking knives during a ceremony to confer the People's Honor Award at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026. Each of the knives is engraved with her name and the award title, as the 32-year old won two gold, four silver and four bronze medals before announcing her retirement in April.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi (L) receives a commemorative set of 10 cooking knives from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a ceremony to confer the People's Honor Award at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026. Each of the knives is engraved with her name and the award title, as the 32-year old won two gold, four silver and four bronze medals before announcing her retirement in April.

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

10-time Olympic skating medalist Takagi given People's Honor Award

Ten-time Olympic speed skating medalist Miho Takagi (L) receives a commemorative set of 10 cooking knives from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a ceremony to confer the People's Honor Award at the premier's office in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2026. Each of the knives is engraved with her name and the award title, as the 32-year old won two gold, four silver and four bronze medals before announcing her retirement in April.

China: Typhoon Bavi Rips Metal Roof Off Residential Building in Shanghai

Typhoon Bavi tore the metal roof off a residential building in Chongming District, Shanghai on July 12, 2026, with footage showing the structure shaking violently before being ripped apart and blown to the ground by powerful gusts.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japan to cut consumption tax on food to 1% from April 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, during a press conference in Tokyo on July 30, 2026, explains the government's plan to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages to 1 percent from the current 8 percent for two years starting in April 2027.

Wang-Rubio talks in Manila

Wang-Rubio talks in Manila

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is pictured following a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila on July 22, 2026. The two met to pave the way for the planned U.S.-China summit in the United States in September.

Spain: Nearly Two Million Gather in Madrid for World Cup Victory Parade 4

Nearly two million people gathered in Madrid on Monday, July 20, as Spain's World Cup-winning team held an open-top bus victory parade. The squad was first welcomed at Zarzuela Palace by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, before meeting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and making its way through the city center to Cibeles Square.

Spain: Nearly Two Million Gather in Madrid for World Cup Victory Parade 2

Nearly two million people gathered in Madrid on Monday, July 20, as Spain's World Cup-winning team held an open-top bus victory parade. The squad was first welcomed at Zarzuela Palace by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, before meeting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and making its way through the city center to Cibeles Square.

Spain: Nearly Two Million Gather in Madrid for World Cup Victory Parade 3

Nearly two million people gathered in Madrid on Monday, July 20, as Spain's World Cup-winning team held an open-top bus victory parade. The squad was first welcomed at Zarzuela Palace by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, before meeting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and making its way through the city center to Cibeles Square.

Spain: Nearly Two Million Gather in Madrid for World Cup Victory Parade

Nearly two million people gathered in Madrid on Monday, July 20, as Spain's World Cup-winning team held an open-top bus victory parade. The squad was first welcomed at Zarzuela Palace by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, before meeting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and making its way through the city center to Cibeles Square.

Minister visits fatal boat accident site in Okinawa

Minister visits fatal boat accident site in Okinawa

Hitoshi Kikawada, Japanese minister for Okinawa and Northern Territories affairs, observes a moment of silence at a beach in Nago in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa on June 28, 2026, about three month after two boats carrying a total of 18 high school students on a peace education tour capsized off the city, leaving one student and the skipper of one of the two boats dead.

Minister visits fatal boat accident site in Okinawa

Minister visits fatal boat accident site in Okinawa

Hitoshi Kikawada, Japanese minister for Okinawa and Northern Territories affairs, offers flowers at a beach in Nago in the southern Japan island prefecture of Okinawa on June 28, 2026, about three month after two boats carrying a total of 18 high school students on a peace education tour capsized off the city, leaving one student and the skipper of one of the two boats dead.

Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan, June 3 Kyodo - Leaders and representatives of island nations and relevant organizations pose for a photo as they attend the Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo on June 3, 2026. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivered a speech on the first day of the two-day summit, pledging that Japan will continue to assist nations and regions facing challenges stemming from climate change and rising sea levels. (Kyodo)

Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo

Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo

Leaders and representatives of island nations and relevant organizations pose for a photo as they attend the Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo on June 3, 2026. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C, front row) delivered a speech on the first day of the two-day summit, pledging that Japan will continue to assist nations and regions facing challenges stemming from climate change and rising sea levels.

Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo

Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo

Leaders and representatives of island nations and relevant organizations pose for a photo as they attend the Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo on June 3, 2026. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C, front row) delivered a speech on the first day of the two-day summit, pledging that Japan will continue to assist nations and regions facing challenges stemming from climate change and rising sea levels.

APEC trade ministers' meeting in China

APEC trade ministers' meeting in China

Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa holds a press conference in Suzhou, China, on May 23, 2026, following a two-day meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum member countries.

APEC trade ministers' meeting in China

APEC trade ministers' meeting in China

Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa (L) holds a press conference in Suzhou, China, on May 23, 2026, following a two-day meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum member countries.

APEC trade ministers' meeting in China

APEC trade ministers' meeting in China

Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa holds a press conference in Suzhou, China, on May 23, 2026, following a two-day meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum member countries.

APEC trade ministers' meeting in China

APEC trade ministers' meeting in China

Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa holds a press conference in Suzhou, China, on May 23, 2026, following a two-day meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum member countries.

APEC trade ministers' meeting in Suzhou

APEC trade ministers' meeting in Suzhou

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao (C) holds a press conference in Suzhou, China, on May 23, 2026, after chairing a two-day meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum member countries.

APEC trade ministers' meeting in Suzhou

APEC trade ministers' meeting in Suzhou

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao holds a press conference in Suzhou, China, on May 23, 2026, after chairing a two-day meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum member countries.

APEC trade ministers' meeting in Suzhou

APEC trade ministers' meeting in Suzhou

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao holds a press conference in Suzhou, China, on May 23, 2026, after chairing a two-day meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum member countries.

G7 finance meeting in Paris

G7 finance meeting in Paris

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama (L) and Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda hold a press conference following the conclusion of a two-day meeting of the finance ministers and central bank governors of the Group of Seven countries in Paris on May 19, 2026.

G7 finance meeting in Paris

G7 finance meeting in Paris

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure holds a press conference after chairing a two-day meeting of the finance ministers and central bank governors of the Group of Seven countries in Paris on May 19, 2026.