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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Japan starts release of state-held oil

Japan starts release of state-held oil

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on March 26, 2026, shows the Kikuma National Petroleum Stockpiling Base in Imabari in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan. The Japanese government started releasing state-held oil the same day to stabilize supplies amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, commencing with the release from the Kikuma base.

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Japan starts release of state-held oil

Japan starts release of state-held oil

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on March 26, 2026, shows the Kikuma National Petroleum Stockpiling Base in Imabari in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan. The Japanese government started releasing state-held oil the same day to stabilize supplies amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, commencing with the release from the Kikuma base.

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Japan starts release of state-held oil

Japan starts release of state-held oil

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on March 26, 2026, shows the Kikuma National Petroleum Stockpiling Base in Imabari in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan. The Japanese government started releasing state-held oil the same day to stabilize supplies amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, commencing with the release from the Kikuma base.

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Retired figure skater Mao Asada

TOKYO, Japan, March 23 Kyodo - Retired Japanese figure skater Mao Asada speaks to the press in Tachikawa, western Tokyo, on March 21, 2026, as her figure skating academy Kinoshita Mao Academy holds its first presentation event. She started a full-time coaching career last August at the school. (Kyodo)

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Retired figure skater Mao Asada

Retired figure skater Mao Asada

Retired Japanese figure skater Mao Asada speaks to the press in Tachikawa, western Tokyo, on March 21, 2026, as her figure skating academy Kinoshita Mao Academy holds its first presentation event. She started a full-time coaching career last August at the school.

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Retired figure skater Mao Asada

Retired figure skater Mao Asada

Retired Japanese figure skater Mao Asada speaks to the press in Tachikawa, western Tokyo, on March 21, 2026, as her figure skating academy Kinoshita Mao Academy holds its first presentation event. She started a full-time coaching career last August at the school.

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Retired figure skater Mao Asada

Retired figure skater Mao Asada

Retired Japanese figure skater Mao Asada speaks to the press in Tachikawa, western Tokyo, on March 21, 2026, as her figure skating academy Kinoshita Mao Academy holds its first presentation event. She started a full-time coaching career last August at the school.

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Japan Crown Princess Kiko

Japan Crown Princess Kiko

Japanese Crown Princess Kiko arrives at the venue of the Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association's national convention in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, on March 17, 2026.

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Japan Crown Princess Kiko

Japan Crown Princess Kiko

Japanese Crown Princess Kiko arrives at the venue of the Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association's national convention in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, on March 17, 2026.

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Japan Crown Princess Kiko

Japan Crown Princess Kiko

Japanese Crown Princess Kiko arrives at the venue of the Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association's national convention in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, on March 17, 2026.

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Japan Crown Princess Kiko

Japan Crown Princess Kiko

Japanese Crown Princess Kiko attends an education program at the Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association's national convention in Matsuyama in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, on March 17, 2026.

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Japan Crown Princess Kiko

Japan Crown Princess Kiko

Japanese Crown Princess Kiko attends an education program at the Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association's national convention in Matsuyama in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, on March 17, 2026.

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Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

President Masakazu Toyoda of Space One Co. grimaces during a press conference in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026, after the Japanese startup aborted the flight of its Kairos No. 3 rocket. The company was hoping to be the first Japanese private entity to put a satellite into orbit.

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Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

President Masakazu Toyoda of Space One Co. speaks at a press conference in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026, after the Japanese startup aborted the flight of its Kairos No. 3 rocket following previous two failed attempts. The company was hoping to be the first Japanese private entity to put a satellite into orbit.

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Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Kairos No. 3 rocket of Japanese startup Space One Co. lifting off from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026. The company's bid to become the first private firm in the country to put a satellite into orbit failed, however, following two previous failed attempts.

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Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Kairos No. 3 rocket of Japanese startup Space One Co. lifting off from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026. The company's bid to become the first private firm in the country to put a satellite into orbit failed, however, following two previous failed attempts.

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Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Kairos No. 3 rocket of Japanese startup Space One Co. lifting off from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026. The company's bid to become the first private firm in the country to put a satellite into orbit failed, however, following two previous failed attempts.

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Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Kairos No. 3 rocket of Japanese startup Space One Co. lifting off from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026. The company's bid to become the first private firm in the country to put a satellite into orbit failed, however, following two previous failed attempts.

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Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

The Kairos No. 3 rocket of Japanese startup Space One Co. soars after its liftoff from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026. The company's bid to become the first private firm in the country to put a satellite into orbit failed, however, following two previous failed attempts.

  •  
Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

The Kairos No. 3 rocket of Japanese startup Space One Co. soars after its liftoff from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026. The company's bid to become the first private firm in the country to put a satellite into orbit failed, however, following two previous failed attempts.

  •  
Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

The Kairos No. 3 rocket of Japanese startup Space One Co. soars after its liftoff from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026. The company's bid to become the first private firm in the country to put a satellite into orbit failed, however, following two previous failed attempts.

  •  
Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Kairos No. 3 rocket of Japanese startup Space One Co. soaring after its liftoff from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026. The company's bid to become the first private firm in the country to put a satellite into orbit failed, however, following two previous failed attempts.

  •  
Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Kairos No. 3 rocket of Japanese startup Space One Co. lifting off from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026. The company's bid to become the first private firm in the country to put a satellite into orbit failed, however, following two previous failed attempts.

  •  
Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

The Kairos No. 3 rocket of Japanese startup Space One Co. soars after its liftoff from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026. The company's bid to become the first private firm in the country to put a satellite into orbit failed, however, following two previous failed attempts.

  •  
Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Japanese startup Space One's 3rd rocket flight aborted

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Kairos No. 3 rocket of Japanese startup Space One Co. lifting off from Space Port Kii in Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 5, 2026. The company's bid to become the first private firm in the country to put a satellite into orbit failed, however, following two previous failed attempts.

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25th anniv. of U.S. sub's collision with school boat

25th anniv. of U.S. sub's collision with school boat

Students of Uwajima Fisheries High School offer flowers during a memorial service at the school in Uwajima in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, on Feb. 10, 2026, marking the 25th anniversary of a fatal accident in which the U.S. Navy submarine Greeneville collided with the institution's training boat Ehime Maru off Hawaii. Among the 35 people aboard the Japanese training vessel, four students, two teachers and three crew members were killed.

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[Breaking News]Bean-throwing event in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan, Feb. 3 Kyodo - Maiko traditional Japanese entertainers scatter roasted beans during a Setsubun bean-throwing event at Yasaka shrine in Kyoto, western Japan, on Feb. 2, 2026. (Kyodo)

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Bean-throwing event in Kyoto

Bean-throwing event in Kyoto

Maiko traditional Japanese entertainers scatter roasted beans during a Setsubun bean-throwing event at Yasaka shrine in Kyoto, western Japan, on Feb. 2, 2026.

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Bean-throwing event in Kyoto

Bean-throwing event in Kyoto

Maiko traditional Japanese entertainers scatter roasted beans during a Setsubun bean-throwing event at Yasaka shrine in Kyoto, western Japan, on Feb. 2, 2026.

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Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, an avid fan of the Hanshin Tigers pro baseball team, holds a tiger-shaped charm during a campaign rally in Nishinomiya in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 29, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.

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Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi raises her fist during a campaign rally in Nishinomiya in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 29, 2026, ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.

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Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi waves to voters after making a stump speech in Himeji in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 29, 2026, ahead of the general election on Feb. 8.

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Making of paper charms at Japanese shrine

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan, Jan. 14 Kyodo - "Kimenfuda" paper charms depicting ogres are printed at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine in Nachikatsuura in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 14, 2025, ahead of a Feb. 2 bean-scattering ceremony to drive out devils and attract good fortune. (Kyodo)

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Ruling on shooter of ex-Japan PM Abe

Ruling on shooter of ex-Japan PM Abe

Journalists gather near the Nara District Court in Nara on Jan. 21, 2026, ahead of a ruling on the man accused of fatally shooting former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Tetsuya Yamagami was indicted for killing Abe during an election stump speech in the western Japan city in July 2022.

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Ruling on shooter of ex-Japan PM Abe

Ruling on shooter of ex-Japan PM Abe

People queue near the Nara District Court in Nara on Jan. 21, 2026, to get courtroom seating lottery tickets ahead of a ruling on the man accused of fatally shooting former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Tetsuya Yamagami was indicted for killing Abe during an election stump speech in the western Japan city in July 2022.

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Ruling on shooter of ex-Japan PM Abe

Ruling on shooter of ex-Japan PM Abe

People queue near the Nara District Court in Nara on Jan. 21, 2026, to get courtroom seating lottery tickets ahead of a ruling on the man accused of fatally shooting former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Tetsuya Yamagami was indicted for killing Abe during an election stump speech in the western Japan city in July 2022.

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31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

31st anniv. of Great Hanshin Earthquake

Forty-nine candles are lit at a park in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, on Jan. 17, 2026, creating a Japanese "kanji" character meaning "life" as the western Japan city and its surrounding areas mark the 31st anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake that killed over 6,400 people, including 49 in the city.

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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)

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