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Year-end cleaning at Himeji Castle

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel perform year-end cleaning of Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on Dec. 16, 2025, in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan.

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Year-end cleaning at Himeji Castle

A member of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force performs year-end cleaning of Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on Dec. 16, 2025, in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan.

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Funeral for cat stationmaster

A funeral for cat stationmaster Nitama is held at Wakayama Electric Railway's Kishi Station in Kinokawa in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 13, 2025, following the cat's death in November at age 15.

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Local city commends Nobel laureate Kitagawa

A banner celebrating Kyoto University professor Susumu Kitagawa, co-winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in chemistry, is displayed on a wall of the Neyagawa city office in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 11, 2025. Kitagawa lives in the city.

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Preparations for 2026 Year of Horse

A giant "ema" votive plaque (R) bearing an illustration of a horse, next year's Chinese zodiac sign, stands at World Heritage-listed Niukanshobu shrine in Kudoyama in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 7, 2025, replacing an older plaque (L) with an illustration of a snake, the zodiac sign for 2025.

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Year of Horse in 2026

Photo taken on Dec. 4, 2025, shows clay bells each topped with a horse at Konda Hachimangu shrine in Habikino in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan. A total of 1,300 bells are on sale at the shrine ahead of 2026, the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac.

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Year of Horse in 2026

Photo taken on Dec. 4, 2025, shows a clay bell topped with a horse at Konda Hachimangu shrine in Habikino in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan. A total of 1,300 bells are on sale at the shrine ahead of 2026, the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac.

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Street fundraising by Buddhist monks

Buddhist monks from World Heritage-listed Kinpusenji Temple head out for their annual year-end street fundraising campaign in Yoshino in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 1, 2025.

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Nationwide street fundraising by Buddhist monks

A Tendai Buddhist monk from Enryakuji, a temple located on Mt. Hiei in the western Japan city of Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, visits a home in the city to seek donations on Dec. 1, 2025. The annual street fundraising campaign by the Tendai temples across Japan takes place in over 50 locations nationwide, with proceeds to be donated to such organizations as the Japanese Red Cross Society.

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Nationwide street fundraising by Buddhist monks

Tendai Buddhist monks from Enryakuji, a temple located on Mt. Hiei in the western Japan city of Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, walk around houses in the city to seek donations on Dec. 1, 2025. The annual street fundraising campaign by Tendai temples across Japan takes place in over 50 locations nationwide, with proceeds to be donated to such organizations as the Japanese Red Cross Society.

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Golf: Casio World Open

Ryuichi Oiwa poses with the trophy after winning the Casio World Open Golf Tournament at Kochi Kuroshio Country Club in Geisei, Kochi Prefecture, western Japan, on Nov. 30, 2025.

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Golf: Casio World Open

Ryuichi Oiwa reacts after winning the Casio World Open Golf Tournament at Kochi Kuroshio Country Club in Geisei, Kochi Prefecture, western Japan, on Nov. 30, 2025.

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Golf: Casio World Open

Ryuichi Oiwa of Japan hits a shot on the fifth hole during the final round at the Casio World Open Golf Tournament at Kochi Kuroshio Country Club in Geisei, Kochi Prefecture, western Japan, on Nov. 30, 2025.

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Golf: Casio World Open

Ryuichi Oiwa poses with the trophy after winning the Casio World Open Golf Tournament at Kochi Kuroshio Country Club in Geisei, Kochi Prefecture, western Japan, on Nov. 30, 2025.

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Golf: Casio World Open

Ryuichi Oiwa reacts after winning the Casio World Open Golf Tournament at Kochi Kuroshio Country Club in Geisei, Kochi Prefecture, western Japan, on Nov. 30, 2025.

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Mandarin ducks arrive in Tottori Pref. town

A flock of mandarin ducks are seen on a river in Hino in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on Nov. 15, 2025, after flying in from the north. The river is a popular stopover for the birds in the wintering season, with around 400 having arrived and an additional 400 expected to fly in by the end of March 2026.

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Mandarin ducks arrive in Tottori Pref. town

A flock of mandarin ducks are seen on a river in Hino in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on Nov. 15, 2025, after flying in from the north. The river is a popular stopover for the birds in the wintering season, with around 400 having arrived and an additional 400 expected to fly in by the end of March 2026.

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20 rescued from giant Ferris wheel in Osaka Pref.

Photo taken in the early hours of Nov. 26, 2025, shows a giant Ferris wheel at the Expocity shopping mall and movie multiplex in Suita in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan. About 20 people were rescued from the 123-meter-tall structure in the early hours of Nov. 26, after it stopped moving following a lightning strike in the late afternoon of Nov. 25.

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20 rescued from giant Ferris wheel in Osaka Pref.

People are wrapped in blankets after firefighters rescued them from a giant Ferris wheel at the Expocity shopping mall and movie multiplex in Suita in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, in the early hours of Nov. 26, 2025. About 20 people were trapped inside the 123-meter-tall structure when it stopped moving in the late afternoon of Nov. 25 following a lightning strike.

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20 rescued from giant Ferris wheel in Osaka Pref.

A crane carrying a firefighter approaches a giant Ferris wheel gondola to rescue people inside it at the Expocity shopping mall and movie multiplex in Suita in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, in the early hours of Nov. 26, 2025. About 20 people were rescued after the 123-meter-tall structure stopped moving in the late afternoon of Nov. 25 following a lightning strike.

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Japan PM Takaichi eats persimmon

Japanese Prime Minster Sanae Takaichi eats a piece of persimmon at the premier's office in Tokyo on Nov. 19, 2025, during a visit by representatives promoting the fruit grown in the western Japan prefecture of Nara.

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Japan PM Takaichi receives persimmons

Japanese Prime Minster Sanae Takaichi (C, R) receives a basket of persimmons at the premier's office in Tokyo on Nov. 19, 2025, during a visit by representatives promoting the fruit grown in Nara Prefecture, western Japan.

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Japan PM Takaichi receives persimmons

Japanese Prime Minster Sanae Takaichi (R) receives a basket of persimmons at the premier's office in Tokyo on Nov. 19, 2025, during a visit by representatives promoting the fruit grown in Nara Prefecture, western Japan.

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Japan PM Takaichi receives persimmons

Japanese Prime Minster Sanae Takaichi receives persimmons at the premier's office in Tokyo on Nov. 19, 2025, during a visit by representatives promoting the fruit grown in Nara Prefecture, western Japan.

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Mass oyster die-offs in Hiroshima Pref.

Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Norikazu Suzuki (far L) inspects an oyster bed in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, on Nov. 19, 2025, following reports of mass die-offs at many oyster beds in the western Japan city.

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Mass oyster die-offs in Hiroshima Pref.

Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Norikazu Suzuki (R) is briefed from an oyster farmer in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, on Nov. 19, 2025, following reports of mass die-offs at many oyster beds in the western Japan city.

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Mass oyster die-offs in Hiroshima Pref.

Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Norikazu Suzuki (front, R) inspects oysters during a visit to an oyster farm in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, on Nov. 19, 2025, following reports of mass die-offs at many oyster beds in the western Japan city.

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Harvest of jabara in western Japan

KITAYAMA, Japan, Nov. 4 Kyodo - Cropping of jabara, a citrus fruit, begins in the Wakayama Prefecture town of Kitayama, western Japan, on Nov. 10, 2025. (Kyodo)

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High-grade citrus from western Japan

Photo taken in Matsuyama in Ehime Prefecture on Nov. 13, 2025, shows "Beni-Madonna", a high-grade citrus fruit grown in the western Japan prefecture. This year's sales of the variety commenced two days later.

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High-grade citrus from western Japan

Photo taken in Matsuyama in Ehime Prefecture on Nov. 13, 2025, shows "Beni-Madonna", a high-grade citrus fruit grown in the western Japan prefecture. This year's sales of the variety commenced two days later.

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High-grade citrus from western Japan

Photo taken in Matsuyama in Ehime Prefecture on Nov. 13, 2025, shows "Beni-Madonna", a high-grade citrus fruit grown in the western Japan prefecture. This year's sales of the variety commenced two days later.

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Robots for lemon harvesting

A four-legged robot grabs a lemon and places it into a basket carried by another robot as Chinese-developed machines are tested for lemon harvesting in Asakuchi in Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Nov. 14, 2025.

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Flower park lit up in western Japan

A winter illumination event at the Tottori Hanakairo flower park in Nambu in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, is unveiled to the press on Nov. 12, 2025, two days ahead of its official opening.

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Flower park lit up in western Japan

A winter illumination event at the Tottori Hanakairo flower park in Nambu in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, is unveiled to the press on Nov. 12, 2025, two days ahead of its official opening.

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Harvest of jabara in western Japan

Cropping of jabara, a citrus fruit, begins in the Wakayama Prefecture town of Kitayama, western Japan, on Nov. 10, 2025.

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Snow crab fishing season in Japan

The season's first catch of snow crabs is landed at a fishing port in Toyooka in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Nov. 6, 2025.

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Snow crab fishing season in Japan

The season's first catch of snow crabs is landed at a fishing port in Toyooka in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Nov. 6, 2025.

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Snow crab fishing season in Japan

The season's first catch of snow crabs is landed at a fishing port in Toyooka in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Nov. 6, 2025.

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Snow crab fishing season in Japan

The season's first catch of snow crabs is landed at a fishing port in Toyooka in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Nov. 6, 2025.

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T-shirt art exhibition in western Japan

About 650 T-shirts, mostly designed by disabled people, hang on a beach in Shirahama in the western Japan prefecture of Wakayama on Nov. 1, 2025, as an outdoor T-shirt art exhibition begins for a four-day run.

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Princess Kako paints pottery

Japanese Princess Kako paints Shigaraki pottery at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park in Koka, Shiga Prefecture, on Oct. 26, 2025. Shigaraki pottery has been traditionally produced in the western Japan prefecture.

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Princess Kako paints pottery

Japanese Princess Kako paints Shigaraki pottery at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park in Koka, Shiga Prefecture, on Oct. 26, 2025. Shigaraki pottery has been traditionally produced in the western Japan prefecture.

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Crown prince attends sports event for disabled in Shiga Pref.

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito speaks at the opening ceremony of a national sports festival for disabled people in Hikone in the western Japan prefecture of Shiga on Oct. 25, 2025.

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Crown prince attends sports event for disabled in Shiga Pref.

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko attend the opening ceremony of a national sports festival for disabled people in Hikone in the western Japan prefecture of Shiga on Oct. 25, 2025.

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Crown prince attends sports event for disabled in Shiga Pref.

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko attend the opening ceremony of a national sports festival for disabled people in Hikone in the western Japan prefecture of Shiga on Oct. 25, 2025.

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Crown prince watches sports event for disabled in Shiga Pref.

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito (back, 2nd from R) and Crown Princess Kiko (back, far R) watch a foot softball game during a national sports festival for disabled people in Nagahama in the western Japan prefecture of Shiga on Oct. 25, 2025.

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Crown prince visits nursing home for blind people in Shiga Pref.

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito (2nd from R) and Crown Princess Kiko (R) exercise together with residents during a visit to a nursing home for blind people in Taga in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Oct. 24, 2025. (Pool photo)

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Crown prince visits nursing home for blind people in Shiga Pref.

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko talk with residents during a visit to a nursing home for blind people in Taga in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Oct. 24, 2025. (Pool photo)

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Crown prince to attend sports event for disabled in Shiga Pref.

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito (back, 2nd from R) and Crown Princess Kiko (back, R) use sign language at an event in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, on Oct. 24, 2025, the eve of the opening ceremony of a national sports festival for disabled people in Hikone in the western Japan prefecture.

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Crown prince to attend sports event for disabled in Shiga Pref.

Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito (back, 2nd from R) and Crown Princess Kiko (back, R) attend an event in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, on Oct. 24, 2025, the eve of the opening ceremony of a national sports festival for disabled people in Hikone in the western Japan prefecture.