Osaka governor, mayor announce twin elections

Osaka governor, mayor announce twin elections

Hirofumi Yoshimura (R), Osaka governor and leader of the Japan Innovation Party, and Osaka mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama meet the press in Osaka on Jan. 15, 2026. The Osaka governor and Osaka mayor said they will resign and run for reelection to their respective posts as part of the JIP's third attempt to transform the western Japan city into a metropolis like Tokyo.

[Breaking News]Artwork collapses before illumination event in Kobe

KOBE, Japan, Jan. 11 Kyodo - Video taken on Jan. 11, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a fallen artwork following a gale at a park in Kobe ahead of the opening on Jan. 30 of the "Luminarie" illumination event in memory of the victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people. (Kyodo)

Takaichi, Lee visit Horyu-ji temple

Takaichi, Lee visit Horyu-ji temple

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (C) visit the World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 14, 2026. (Pool photo)

Takaichi, Lee visit Horyu-ji temple

Takaichi, Lee visit Horyu-ji temple

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung visit the World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 14, 2026. (Pool photo)

Takaichi, Lee visit Horyu-ji temple

Takaichi, Lee visit Horyu-ji temple

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung shake hands in front of the World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 14, 2026. (Pool photo)

Takaichi, Lee visit Horyu-ji temple

Takaichi, Lee visit Horyu-ji temple

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung shake hands in front of the World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 14, 2026. (Pool photo)

Takaichi, Lee visit Horyu-ji temple

Takaichi, Lee visit Horyu-ji temple

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (far L) prepares to greet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 14, 2026.

Takaichi, Lee visit Horyu-ji temple

Takaichi, Lee visit Horyu-ji temple

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) greets South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 14, 2026. (Pool photo)

Takaichi, Lee visit Horyu-ji temple

Takaichi, Lee visit Horyu-ji temple

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) greets South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 14, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan-S. Korea summit

Japan-S. Korea summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung clap during a joint press appearance following their talks in Nara, the capital of her home prefecture of Nara, western Japan, on Jan. 13, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan-S. Korea summit

Japan-S. Korea summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) shakes hands with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung following a joint press appearance in Nara, the capital of her home prefecture of Nara, western Japan, on Jan. 13, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan-S. Korea summit

Japan-S. Korea summit

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung makes a joint press appearance with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Nara, the capital of her home prefecture of Nara, western Japan, following their talks on Jan. 13, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan-S. Korea summit

Japan-S. Korea summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi makes a joint press appearance with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Nara, the capital of her home prefecture of Nara, western Japan, following their talks on Jan. 13, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan-S. Korea summit

Japan-S. Korea summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung are pictured in Nara, the capital of her home prefecture of Nara, western Japan, ahead of their talks on Jan. 13, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan-S. Korea summit

Japan-S. Korea summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung make a joint press appearance following their talks in Nara, the capital of her home prefecture of Nara, western Japan, on Jan. 13, 2026. (Pool photo)

CORRECTED: Japan-S. Korea summit

CORRECTED: Japan-S. Korea summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front, R) and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (front, L) hold talks in Nara, the capital of her home prefecture of Nara, western Japan, on Jan. 13, 2026.

Japan-S. Korea summit

Japan-S. Korea summit

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung holds talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Nara, the capital of her home prefecture of Nara, western Japan, on Jan. 13, 2026.

Japan-S. Korea summit

Japan-S. Korea summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Nara, the capital of her home prefecture of Nara, western Japan, on Jan. 13, 2026.

Japan-S. Korea summit

Japan-S. Korea summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) shakes hands with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Nara, the capital of her home prefecture of Nara, western Japan, ahead of their talks on Jan. 13, 2026.

S. Korean President Lee in Japan

S. Korean President Lee in Japan

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (3rd from L) arrives at Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 13, 2026. (Pool photo)

S. Korean President Lee in Japan

S. Korean President Lee in Japan

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (L) arrives at Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 13, 2026. (Pool photo)

S. Korean President Lee in Japan

S. Korean President Lee in Japan

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (2nd from L) is greeted upon arrival at Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 13, 2026.

S. Korean President Lee in Japan

S. Korean President Lee in Japan

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (L) arrives at Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 13, 2026.

S. Korean President Lee in Japan

S. Korean President Lee in Japan

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (L) arrives at Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 13, 2026.

Artwork collapses before illumination event in Kobe

Artwork collapses before illumination event in Kobe

Photo taken on Jan. 11, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a fallen artwork following a gale at a park in Kobe ahead of the opening on Jan. 30 of the "Luminarie" illumination event in memory of the victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Artwork collapses before illumination event in Kobe

Artwork collapses before illumination event in Kobe

Photo taken on Jan. 11, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a fallen artwork following a gale at a park in Kobe ahead of the opening on Jan. 30 of the "Luminarie" illumination event in memory of the victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Artwork collapses before illumination event in Kobe

Artwork collapses before illumination event in Kobe

Photo taken on Jan. 11, 2026, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a fallen artwork following a gale at a park in Kobe ahead of the opening on Jan. 30 of the "Luminarie" illumination event in memory of the victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,400 people.

Memorial flame for Great Hanshin Earthquake

Memorial flame for Great Hanshin Earthquake

Photo taken on Jan. 10, 2026, shows a flame transferred to a lantern from a gas lamp burning "Light of Hope" flame at a park in Kobe, western Japan, to be used for various events marking the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, killing over 6,400 people.

Memorial flame for Great Hanshin Earthquake

Memorial flame for Great Hanshin Earthquake

Photo taken on Jan. 10, 2026, shows a flame transferred to a candle from a gas lamp burning "Light of Hope" flame at a park in Kobe, western Japan, to be used for various events marking the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, killing over 6,400 people.

Memorial flame for Great Hanshin Earthquake

Memorial flame for Great Hanshin Earthquake

Photo taken on Jan. 10, 2026, shows a flame transferred to a candle from a gas lamp burning "Light of Hope" flame at a park in Kobe, western Japan, to be used for various events marking the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, killing over 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

An illumination reading "Kobe 1. 17" is observed on Mt. Dotoku in Kobe on Jan. 9, 2026, ahead of the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity in 1995, killing more than 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

An illumination reading "Kobe 1. 17" is observed on Mt. Dotoku in Kobe on Jan. 9, 2026, ahead of the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity in 1995, killing more than 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

An illumination reading "Kobe 1. 17" is observed on Mt. Dotoku in Kobe on Jan. 9, 2026, ahead of the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity in 1995, killing more than 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

An illumination reading "Kobe 1. 17" is observed on Mt. Dotoku in Kobe on Jan. 9, 2026, ahead of the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity in 1995, killing more than 6,400 people.

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

An illumination reading "Kobe 1. 17" is observed on Mt. Dotoku in Kobe on Jan. 9, 2026, ahead of the 31st anniversary on Jan. 17 of the Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity in 1995, killing more than 6,400 people.

[Breaking News]Strong quakes hit western Japan

YASUGI, Japan, Jan. 7 Kyodo - Video taken on Jan. 6, 2026, shows a landslide behind a residence in Yasugi in the western Japan Prefecture of Shimane, after powerful earthquakes hit the region earlier in the day. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Strong quakes hit western Japan

OSAKA, Japan, Jan. 6 Kyodo - An electronic signboard at JR Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka displays information about disruptions to Sanyo Shinkansen bullet train services following strong earthquakes that struck Tottori and Shimane prefectures on Jan. 6, 2026. (Kyodo)

New Year greeting cards for mascot Hikonyan

HIKONE, Japan, Jan. 8 Kyodo - Hikonyan, the popular cat mascot of the city of Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, poses for a photo with New Year greeting cards addressed to it at the city hall on Jan. 7, 2026. The western Japan city said Hikonyan received 13,220 cards from across the country and abroad. (Kyodo)

New cat stationmaster

KINOKAWA, Japan, Jan. 7 Kyodo - Calico cat Yontama is pictured after being appointed the third feline stationmaster alongside a feline apprentice recruit, Rokutama, at Wakayama Electric Railway's Kishi Station in Kinokawa in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025. Yontama succeeded Nitama, the second stationmaster who died in November, continuing a nearly two-decade tradition that has boosted tourism and helped save the line from financial trouble. (Kyodo)

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2026

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2026

Geiko traditional entertainers and their Maiko apprentices, wearing formal attire, prepare to take part in a ceremony in Kyoto, western Japan, on Jan. 7, 2026, marking their first business day of the year.

New Year greeting cards for mascot Hikonyan

New Year greeting cards for mascot Hikonyan

Hikonyan, the popular cat mascot of the city of Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, poses for a photo with New Year greeting cards and a "hagoita" traditional battledore sent to it at the city hall on Jan. 7, 2026. The western Japan city said Hikonyan received 13,220 cards from across the country and abroad.

New Year greeting cards for mascot Hikonyan

New Year greeting cards for mascot Hikonyan

Hikonyan, the popular cat mascot of the city of Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, poses for a photo with New Year greeting cards addressed to it at the city hall on Jan. 7, 2026. The western Japan city said Hikonyan received 13,220 cards from across the country and abroad.

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2026

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2026

Maiko, apprentices of Geiko traditional entertainers, wearing formal attire, chat ahead of a ceremony in Kyoto, western Japan, on Jan. 7, 2026, marking their first business day of the year.

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2026

Geiko, maiko in Kyoto start work in 2026

Geiko traditional entertainers and their apprentices Maiko, wearing their formal attire, recite a pledge during a ceremony in Kyoto, western Japan, on Jan. 7, 2026, marking their first business day of the year.

Geiko in Kyoto start work in 2026

Geiko in Kyoto start work in 2026

Geiko traditional professional entertainers from Kyoto's Miyagawacho district perform in the western Japan city, during a ceremony marking their first business day of the year on Jan. 7, 2026.

Shimane nuclear power plant in western Japan

Shimane nuclear power plant in western Japan

Photo taken on Jan. 6, 2026, shows Chugoku Electric Power Co.'s Shimane nuclear power plant in Matsue in the western Japan prefecture of Shimane. Following a series of strong earthquakes that hit the region earlier that day, the plant operator said no abnormalities had been detected.

Preparations for 2026 Year of Horse

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan, Dec. 26 Kyodo - A giant "ema" votive plaque bearing an illustration of a horse is put up at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 15, 2025, ahead of the start of the Year of the Horse in 2026. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Wolf escapes at western Tokyo zoo

TOKYO, Japan, Dec. 29 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows an aerial view of the Tama Zoological Park in Hino, western Tokyo, shortly after noon on Dec. 28, 2025, where a wolf escaped from its enclosure. The European wolf was recaptured at around 2:20 p.m. after being spotted on a public pathway inside the zoo. (Kyodo)

Expressway interchange congested due to snow

IWAKUNI, Japan, Jan. 5 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Jan. 3, 2026, shows traffic congestion at the Sanyo Expressway interchange in Iwakuni in the western Japan prefecture of Yamaguchi, due to heavy snow the previous day. (Kyodo)

Tuna auction at Wakayama wholesale market

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan, Jan. 4 Kyodo - Tuna are lined up for the year's first auction at a regional wholesale market in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 4, 2025. (Kyodo)