A group of men in traditional blue and white patterned Japanese festival clothing (happi coats) carry a portable shrine (mikoshi) on their shoulders during a street festival. The scene takes place on a city street with buildings and power lines visible in the background.

Yokota airmen to shoulder base’s portable Japanese shrine for first time since 2019

For the first time in five years, airmen volunteers from Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo will shoulder a mikoshi and take part in an annual Japanese festival in Fussa, Japan.

Survivors, relatives welcome Obama’s visit to Hiroshima

President Barack Obama’s visit Friday to Hiroshima was generally welcomed by the city’s people, particularly relatives and survivors of the 1945 atomic bomb attack.

Obama in Hiroshima and Iwakuni

President Barack Obama is expected to appear at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on Friday, the first time a U.S. president has visited the dedication to those who died in the world’s first wartime atomic bombing.

Navy families help quake survivors; official aid efforts continue

A fresh bowl of ramen is a popular treat throughout Japan, but it’s a lifeline for many who lost their homes in a series of earthquakes in Kumamoto Prefecture since April 14.

US military prepares to aid Japan after massive earthquakes

The United States military is preparing to assist Japan’s disaster response and recovery efforts in Kyushu following a series of devastating earthquakes and aftershocks, U.S. and Japanese officials said Sunday.

USS Barry joins Yokosuka fleet in tumultuous times

The Navy welcomed the destroyer USS Barry to its Japan-based fleet Monday, giving the force a seventh ballistic missile defense-capable ship in the midst of North Korean boasts about advances in its nuclear weapons program.

Heavy snow shuts down Sasebo Naval Base

Unusually heavy snowfall since Saturday knocked out some service and brought Sasebo Naval Base operations to a standstill, Navy officials said Monday.