[Breaking News]Tanker with Russian crude oil arrives in Japan

IMABARI, Japan, May 5 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a tanker carrying crude oil from the Russian Far East of Sakhalin arriving in waters off Imabari in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, on May 4, 2026, marking the first procurement of Russian oil by Japan since the Iran war began in late February. (Kyodo)

Buddhist temple ritual in honor of Kukai

Buddhist temple ritual in honor of Kukai

Monks parade during a ritual at Buddhist Shingon-sect Kongobuji temple in Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 7, 2026, in honor of the achievements by the sect's founder Kukai (774-835), posthumously known as Kobo Daishi.

Samurai festival in Wakayama Pref.

Samurai festival in Wakayama Pref.

People in samurai warrior outfits take part in a parade in Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 5, 2026, during a festival in honor of three 16th-17th century Sanada-clan warriors.

Samurai festival in Wakayama Pref.

Samurai festival in Wakayama Pref.

People in samurai warrior outfits hold a gun demonstration in Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 5, 2026, during a festival in honor of three 16th-17th century Sanada-clan warriors.

Samurai festival in Wakayama Pref.

Samurai festival in Wakayama Pref.

People in samurai warrior outfits hold a gun demonstration in Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 5, 2026, during a festival in honor of three 16th-17th century Sanada-clan warriors.

Ritual for Aoi festival in Kyoto

Ritual for Aoi festival in Kyoto

A woman clad in a 12-layer traditional Japanese kimono, having been chosen to play this year's Saio-dai heroine during the upcoming annual Aoi Festival in Kyoto, purifies herself at Shimogamo Shrine in the western Japan city on May 4, 2026.

Ritual for Aoi festival in Kyoto

Ritual for Aoi festival in Kyoto

A woman clad in a 12-layer traditional Japanese kimono, having been chosen to play this year's Saio-dai heroine during the upcoming annual Aoi Festival in Kyoto, purifies herself at Shimogamo Shrine in the western Japan city on May 4, 2026.

Tanker with Russian crude oil arrives in Japan

Tanker with Russian crude oil arrives in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a tanker carrying crude oil from the Russian Far East of Sakhalin arriving in waters off Imabari in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, on May 4, 2026, marking the first procurement of Russian oil by Japan since the Iran war began in late February.

Tanker with Russian crude oil arrives in Japan

Tanker with Russian crude oil arrives in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a tanker carrying crude oil from the Russian Far East of Sakhalin arriving in waters off Imabari in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, on May 4, 2026, marking the first procurement of Russian oil by Japan since the Iran war began in late February.

Tanker with Russian crude oil arrives in Japan

Tanker with Russian crude oil arrives in Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a tanker carrying crude oil from the Russian Far East of Sakhalin arriving in waters off Imabari in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, on May 4, 2026, marking the first procurement of Russian oil by Japan since the Iran war began in late February.

Football: WE League

Football: WE League

INAC Kobe Leonessa players celebrate after winning the WE League women's football title, with a 5-1 victory over AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies at Noevir Stadium in Kobe, western Japan, on May 3, 2026.

Football: WE League

Football: WE League

INAC Kobe Leonessa players celebrate after winning the WE League women's football title, with a 5-1 victory over AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies at Noevir Stadium in Kobe, western Japan, on May 3, 2026.

Football: WE League

Football: WE League

INAC Kobe Leonessa players celebrate after winning the WE League women's football title, with a 5-1 victory over AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies at Noevir Stadium in Kobe, western Japan, on May 3, 2026.

Football: WE League

Football: WE League

INAC Kobe Leonessa players celebrate after winning the WE League women's football title, with a 5-1 victory over AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies at Noevir Stadium in Kobe, western Japan, on May 3, 2026.

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, opens to the general public on May 3, 2026, during a U.S.-Japan friendship day event.

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, opens to the general public on May 3, 2026, during a U.S.-Japan friendship day event.

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, opens to the general public on May 3, 2026, during a U.S.-Japan friendship day event.

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, opens to the general public on May 3, 2026, during a U.S.-Japan friendship day event.

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Iwakuni base opens on U.S.-Japan friendship day

U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, opens to the general public on May 3, 2026, during a U.S.-Japan friendship day event.

Hiroshima flower festival

Hiroshima flower festival

The "flame of peace" burns on top of an 8-meter tower decorated with some 8,000 flower pots at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan, on May 3, 2026, the opening day of a three-day flower festival.

Hiroshima flower festival

Hiroshima flower festival

The "flame of peace" burns on top of an 8-meter tower decorated with some 8,000 flower pots at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan, on May 3, 2026, the opening day of a three-day flower festival.

Japan: Severe Weather Strikes Western Region, Triggers Hail and Heavy Rainfall

A strong cold air mass destabilized the atmosphere across western Japan, Tokai, and Hokuriku, on Friday, May 1, triggering heavy rain, thunder, and hail, with further sudden weather changes expected.

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.

Cherry blossom train in Ukraine

Cherry blossom train in Ukraine

Photo taken on April 28, 2026, shows a state-run Ukrainian Railways train decorated with illustrations of cherry blossom petals at Kyiv Central Station. The train began operations the same day under the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Japanese Embassy in Kyiv, running between the Ukrainian capital and Uzhhorod, a western Ukrainian city known for its cherry blossom festival.

Cherry blossom train in Ukraine

Cherry blossom train in Ukraine

Photo taken on April 28, 2026, shows a state-run Ukrainian Railways train decorated with illustrations of cherry blossom petals at Kyiv Central Station. The train began operations the same day under the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Japanese Embassy in Kyiv, running between the Ukrainian capital and Uzhhorod, a western Ukrainian city known for its cherry blossom festival.

21st anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

21st anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

West Japan Railway Co. holds a memorial ceremony marking the 21st anniversary of a fatal derailment in 2005 at the site of the accident in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, on April 25, 2026. The JR Fukuchiyama Line derailment killed the driver and 106 passengers. (Pool photo) ==Kyodo

21st anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

21st anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

Shoji Kurasaka, president of West Japan Railway Co., addresses a memorial ceremony marking the 21st anniversary of a fatal derailment in 2005 at the site of the accident in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, on April 25, 2026. The JR Fukuchiyama Line derailment killed the driver and 106 passengers. (Pool photo) ==Kyodo

21st anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

21st anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

Shoji Kurasaka, president of West Japan Railway Co., offers flowers at a memorial ceremony marking the 21st anniversary of a fatal derailment in 2005 at the site of the accident in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, on April 25, 2026. The JR Fukuchiyama Line derailment killed the driver and 106 passengers. (Pool photo) ==Kyodo

21st anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

21st anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

Shoji Kurasaka (R), president of West Japan Railway Co., offers flowers at a memorial ceremony marking the 21st anniversary of a fatal derailment in 2005 at the site of the accident in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, on April 25, 2026. The JR Fukuchiyama Line derailment killed the driver and 106 passengers. (Pool photo) ==Kyodo

21st anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

21st anniversary of train derailment in western Japan

West Japan Railway Co. holds a memorial ceremony marking the 21st anniversary of a fatal derailment in 2005 at the site of the accident in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, on April 25, 2026. The JR Fukuchiyama Line derailment killed the driver and 106 passengers. (Pool photo) ==Kyodo

Boeing 787 makes emergency landing

Video from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a Boeing 787 jet operated by All Nippon Airways Co. on Jan. 16, 2013, at Takamatsu Airport in western Japan, following an emergency landing after smoke was detected inside the aircraft. All 137 passengers and crew aboard the domestic flight evacuated the plane. (Kyodo)

New sightseeing train in western Japan

New sightseeing train in western Japan

Photo taken on April 24, 2026, shows Nankai Electric Railway Co.'s new Gran Tenku sightseeing train at Namba Station in Osaka. The train connecting Osaka and Mt. Koya, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Wakayama Prefecture in western Japan, began operating the same day.

New sightseeing train in western Japan

New sightseeing train in western Japan

Photo taken on April 24, 2026, shows Nankai Electric Railway Co.'s new Gran Tenku sightseeing train at Namba Station in Osaka. The train connecting Osaka and Mt. Koya, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Wakayama Prefecture in western Japan, began operating the same day.

Mine-Akiyoshidai added to UNESCO geoparks list

Mine-Akiyoshidai added to UNESCO geoparks list

People pose for a photo during a celebration in Mine, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on April 23, 2026, after the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council added Mine-Akiyoshidai karst plateau in the western Japan city to its geoparks list.

Mine-Akiyoshidai added to UNESCO geoparks list

Mine-Akiyoshidai added to UNESCO geoparks list

People celebrate in Mine, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on April 23, 2026, after the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council added Mine-Akiyoshidai karst plateau in the western Japan city to its geoparks list.

Baseball: Giants vs. Tigers

Baseball: Giants vs. Tigers

Hanshin Tigers slugger Teruaki Sato hits a two-run home run off Yomiuri Giants right-hander Masahiro Tanaka in the first inning of a Central League baseball game at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on April 16, 2026.

Baseball: Giants vs. Tigers

Baseball: Giants vs. Tigers

Hanshin Tigers slugger Teruaki Sato hits a two-run home run off Yomiuri Giants right-hander Masahiro Tanaka in the first inning of a Central League baseball game at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on April 16, 2026.

Asian elephants from Malaysia at Osaka zoo

Asian elephants from Malaysia at Osaka zoo

Photo taken on April 21, 2026, shows Asian elephants at Osaka Tennoji Zoo in the western Japan city of Osaka. The three elephants from Malaysia went on public display the same day, marking the zoo's first elephant exhibition in eight years.

Asian elephants from Malaysia at Osaka zoo

Asian elephants from Malaysia at Osaka zoo

Photo taken on April 21, 2026, shows Asian elephants at Osaka Tennoji Zoo in the western Japan city of Osaka. The three elephants from Malaysia went on public display the same day, marking the zoo's first elephant exhibition in eight years.

Asian elephants from Malaysia at Osaka zoo

Asian elephants from Malaysia at Osaka zoo

Photo taken on April 21, 2026, shows Asian elephants at Osaka Tennoji Zoo in the western Japan city of Osaka. The three elephants from Malaysia went on public display the same day, marking the zoo's first elephant exhibition in eight years.

Asian elephants from Malaysia at Osaka zoo

Asian elephants from Malaysia at Osaka zoo

Photo taken on April 21, 2026, shows Asian elephants at Osaka Tennoji Zoo in the western Japan city of Osaka. The three elephants from Malaysia went on public display the same day, marking the zoo's first elephant exhibition in eight years.

Whaling factory ship departs for Sea of Okhotsk

Whaling factory ship departs for Sea of Okhotsk

The Kangei Maru, the world's only whaling factory ship, departs from its home port in Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, on April 18, 2026, for the season's first commercial whale hunt, in the Sea of Okhotsk.

Whaling factory ship departs for Sea of Okhotsk

Whaling factory ship departs for Sea of Okhotsk

The Kangei Maru, the world's only whaling factory ship, departs from its home port in Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, on April 18, 2026, for the season's first commercial whale hunt, in the Sea of Okhotsk.

Whaling factory ship departs for Sea of Okhotsk

Whaling factory ship departs for Sea of Okhotsk

The Kangei Maru, the world's only whaling factory ship, departs from its home port in Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, on April 18, 2026, for the season's first commercial whale hunt, in the Sea of Okhotsk.

80th anniversary of U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima

HIROSHIMA, Japan, Aug. 6 Kyodo - A ceremony is held at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the western Japan city. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]20th birthday of popular mascot Hikonyan

HIKONE, Japan, April 13 Kyodo - Hikonyan, the popular samurai helmet-wearing cat mascot of Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, appears at a special event marking its 20th birthday in the western Japan city of Hikone on April 13, 2026. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Miura-Kihara pair performs at Mao Rink for new employees

TOKYO, Japan, April 13 Kyodo - Milan Cortina Olympics pairs figure skating gold medalists Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara meet the press after performing during Kinoshita Group's ceremony for new employees at Mao Rink -- opened by Vancouver Olympic silver medalist Mao Asada -- in Tachikawa, western Tokyo, on April 13, 2026. The pair belongs to the Tokyo company. (Kyodo)

20th birthday of popular mascot Hikonyan

20th birthday of popular mascot Hikonyan

Hikonyan, the popular samurai helmet-wearing cat mascot of Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, appears at a special event marking its 20th birthday in the western Japan city of Hikone on April 13, 2026.

Imitation chrysanthemum production in western Japan

TANABE, Japan, April 6 Kyodo - Production of imitation chrysanthemum flowers is under way in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 6, 2026, ahead of a three-day annual festival at the World Heritage-listed Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine, starting on April 13. (Kyodo)