2026 in Japan
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| See also: | Other events of 2026 History of Japan • Timeline • Years | ||||
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Events in the year 2026 in Japan.
Incumbents
[edit]- Emperor: Naruhito
- Prime Minister: Sanae Takaichi (Liberal Democratic)
- Chief Cabinet Secretary: Minoru Kihara (Liberal Democratic)
- Chief Justice: Yukihiko Imasaki
- Speaker of the House of Representatives: Fukushiro Nukaga (Liberal Democratic)
- President of the House of Councillors: Masakazu Sekiguchi (Liberal Democratic)
Events
[edit]January
[edit]- January 1 – Hachijuni Bank and Nagano Bank merge to form Hachijuni Nagano Bank.[1]
- January 4 – A collision caused by tea leaves spilled from a moving truck involving 12 vehicles in Sano, Tochigi, leaves one person dead and three others injured.[2]
- January 5 – A 243 kg (536 lb) bluefin tuna is sold for a record ¥510 million (US$3.2 million) at the Toyosu Market in Tokyo.[3]
- January 6 –
- A magnitude 6.4 earthquake hits Tottori and Shimane Prefectures, injuring seven people.[4]
- China bans the export of dual-use items, with military applications, to Japan, citing contentious statements made by the Japanese government regarding tensions with Taiwan.[5]
- January 8 – A wildfire breaks out in the mountains of Ōtsuki and Uenohara, Yamanashi, burning at least 16 hectares (40 acres) of forest.[6]
- January 12 – Former mayor Akira Ogawa is re-elected as the mayor of Maebashi in a special election following her resignation in November 2025.[7]
- January 14 –
- The Nikkei 225 sets an all-time high closing at 54,341 points.[8]
- An ACSL SOTEN recon unmanned aerial vehicle of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force goes missing during a training flight in Kirishima, Kagoshima Prefecture.[9]
- January 15 –
- Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda and Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito agree to form a new political party.[10]
- Japan and the Philippines sign an agreement allowing their defense forces to exchange logistical support.[11]
- January 16 –
- A power outage in Tokyo causes an eight-hour delay in train services, resulting in five people being hospitalized.[12]
- The mayor of Yokohama, Takeharu Yamanaka, issues a public apology after a city official accuses him of making disparaging remarks on staff.[13]
- January 17 – The 2026 Common Test for University Admissions is held across Japan.[14]
- January 20 – A sightseeing helicopter carrying three people, including two Taiwanese nationals, goes missing near Mount Aso.[15]
- January 21 –
- Tetsuya Yamagami is sentenced to life imprisonment for the assassination of Shinzo Abe in 2022.[16]
- The No. 6 reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant is reactivated for the first time since 2011.[17]
- January 22 – Hirofumi Yoshimura resigns as governor of Osaka Prefecture.[18]
- January 23 – Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolves the House of Representatives at the start of the regular Diet session.[19]
- January 25 – Takato Ishida wins the 2026 Fukui gubernatorial election.[20]
- January 26 – The Tokyo District Court orders North Korea to pay ¥88 million (US$801,822.32) in compensation to four Zainichi Koreans who were lured to move to the country through propaganda schemes but instead experienced inappropriate conditions before escaping.[21]
- January 27 – Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, the last giant pandas in Japan sent there as part of China's Panda diplomacy, leave the Ueno Zoo.[22]
- January 29 – Three suitcases containing 420 million yen (US$2.7 million) in cash are stolen in a robbery near Ueno Station in Tokyo.[23]
February
[edit]- February 2 – Japan announces the retrieval of sediment containing rare earth minerals at a depth of 6,000 m (20,000 ft) below sea level off the coast of Minamitorishima.[24]
- February 3 – Kindai University announces that blackthroat seaperch has been successfully cultivated for the first time.[25]
- February 8 –
- 2026 Japanese general election: The LDP becomes the first party in postwar Japan to win a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives, winning 316 out of 465 seats.[26]
- 2026 Yamaguchi gubernatorial election: Incumbent Tsugumasa Muraoka is reelected for a fourth term.[27]
- 2026 Nagasaki gubernatorial election: Ken Hirata defeats the incumbent Kengo Oishi[28]
- 2026 Osaka gubernatorial election: Hirofumi Yoshimura (One Osaka) is reelected as governor.[29]
- 2026 Osaka mayoral election: Hideyuki Yokoyama (One Osaka) is reelected as mayor.[29]
- February 12 – The Fisheries Agency seizes a Chinese fishing boat and its 11 crew inside the Exclusive economic zone of Japan off the coast of Nagasaki Prefecture.[30]
- February 13 –
- Junya Ogawa is elected as the new leader for the Centrist Reform Alliance.[31]
- One person is killed in a controlled fire at the Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park in Yamaguchi Prefecture.[32]
- February 14 – One person is killed while two others are injured in a knife attack in Dōtonbori, Osaka.[33]
- February 18 – Sanae Takaichi is formally reappointed for a new term as prime minister.[34]
- February 20 –
- Five people are killed in a fire at a Buddhist temple in Shimonoseki.[35]
- A fishing boat sinks after being struck by a cargo vessel off the coast of Mie Prefecture, killing two people and injuring 10 others.[36]
- February 24 – China imposes export restrictions on 40 Japanese entities accused of contributing to Japanese "remilitarization" efforts.[37]
March
[edit]- March 4 –
- Purported Yakuza leader Takeshi Ebisawa is convicted and sentenced by a U.S court to 20 years in prison for trafficking nuclear material, drugs, and weapons.[38]
- The Tokyo High Court upholds an order to dissolve the Unification Church.[39]
- March 5 – Kushiro wetlands megasolar issue: Hokkaido Prefectural Government release a report that arsenic, fluorine, boron level outside the Kushiro-shitsugen National Park exceed the standard limit.[40]
- March 6 –
- The health ministry approves the sale of Amchepry, a stem cell medication for Parkinson's disease developed by Sumitomo Pharma, and ReHeart, a heart muscle sheets medication for circulatory issues by Cuorips.[41]
- Japan and Canada sign a strategic agreement to enhance cooperation in the defense, economy and energy sectors.[42]
- The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries confirms a outbreak of avian influenza of the H5N1 strain outbreak at a poultry farm in Abira, Hokkaido.[43]
- March 8 – The 2026 Ishikawa gubernatorial election is held.[44]
- March 15 – Japan announces it will start releasing 80 million barrels of oil from its reserves, the largest such release in the country's history, in response to disruptions in the oil supply caused by the 2026 Iran war.[45]
- March 16 – Two boats carrying high school students on a field trip capsize off Henoko, Okinawa Prefecture, killing two people.[46]
- March 23 – 2026 Social Democratic Party (Japan) leadership election (first round): Current chairwoman Mizuho Fukushima and former vice chairwoman Yūko Ōtsubaki advanced to run-off vote.[citation needed]
- March 25 –
- A Japan Self-Defence Forces soldier was arrested for suspicion of breaking into the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo with a knife.[47]
- 24,000 people participated in a protest outside the National Diet in opposition of the constitutional revision of Article 9 and the 2026 Iran war.[48]
- March 26 - A 21-year old worker at the Pokémon Center in Ikebukuro was stabbed to death in a murder suicide incident. The suspect was an ex-boyfriend of the victim. [49]
- March 28 – A protest against the 2026 Iran war was organized by the civil group Peace for Palestine! Emergency Action, which was attended by 700 people.[50]
- March 30 – NHK Radio 2 seize broadcasting after 95 years of airing.[51][52]
April
[edit]- April 1 – A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck southern Tochigi Prefecture.[53]
Predicted and scheduled events
[edit]- April 5 – 2026 Kyoto gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held.[54]
- April 6 – 2026 Social Democratic Party (Japan) leadership election: Run-off vote will be held.
- May 31 – 2026 Niigata gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held.[55]
- July 5 – 2026 Shiga gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held.[56]
- August 9 – 2026 Nagano gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held.[57]
- September 13 – 2026 Okinawa gubernatorial election is scheduled to be held.[58]
- Autumn – The restoration of Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa is scheduled to be fully completed.[59]
Ongoing
[edit]- China–Japan diplomatic crisis (since November 2025)
Elections
[edit]- 2026 Japanese general election
- 2026 Japanese local elections
- 2026 Osaka gubernatorial election
- 2026 Ishikawa gubernatorial election
- 2026 Osaka mayoral election
Arts and entertainment
[edit]- 2026 in anime
- 2026 in Japanese music
- 2026 in Japanese television
- List of 2026 box office number-one films in Japan
- List of Japanese films of 2026
- 39th Tokyo International Film Festival
Sports
[edit]- Japan at the 2026 Winter Olympics (6 to 22 February 2026)
- September 19 – October 4 – The 2026 Asian Games will be held in Aichi Prefecture, including Nagoya.[60]
- March 29 – 2026 Japanese Grand Prix
- July 24–August 2 – The 2026 World Lacrosse Women's Championship will be held in Tokyo.[61]
- July 25–26 – 2026 Tokyo ePrix
- October 4 – 2026 Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix
- May 3 – 162th Tennō Shō Spring[62]
- November 1 – 173rd Tennō Shō Autumn[63]
- December 27 – 71st Arima Kinen[64]
- 2026 F4 Japanese Championship
- 2026 Super Formula Championship
- 2026 Super Formula Lights
- 2026 Super GT Series
- 2026-27 in Japanese football
- 2026 J1 100 Year Vision League
- 2026-27 J1 League
- 2026-27 J2 League
- 2026-27 J3 League
- 2026-27 Japan Football League
- 2026-27 Japanese Regional Leagues
- 2026 Japanese Super Cup
- 2026-27 Emperor's Cup
- 2026-27 J.League Cup
Deaths
[edit]January
[edit]- January 1 –
- Yatsushi Iwashita, education support activist (b. 1949)[65]
- Hiroshi Kume, television and radio presenter (b. 1944)
- January 2 – Toshio Fujii, politician (b. 1942).[66]
- January 5 – Aoi Fujino, gravure idol (b. 1998)[67]
- January 7 – Hiroya Ebina, politician (b. 1959)[68]
- January 8 – Hiroshi Nakamura, visual artist (b. 1932)[69]
- January 9 – Ai, Western chimpanzee, subject of cognition studies[70]
- January 10 – Ritsuko Nagao, politician (b. 1933)[71]
- January 11 –
- Takashi Ono, mathematician (b. 1928)[72]
- Kōtarō Kodama, politician (b. 1934)[73]
- January 20 – Kōzō Shioya, voice actor (b. 1955)[74]
- January 21 –
- Daiwa Major, Thoroughbred racehorse (b. 2001)[75]
- Yōichi Higashi, film director (b. 1934)[76]
- January 22 – Hifumi Katō, shogi player (b. 1940)[77]
- January 29 – Sentoryū Henri, sumo wrestler (b. 1969)[78]
- January 31 –
- Kazuhiko Hasegawa, film director (b. 1946)[79]
- Masaru Ikeda, voice actor (b. 1942)[80]
February
[edit]- February 1 – Nobuhiko Ochiai, journalist and novelist (b. 1942)[81]
- February 4 – Tōsha Meishō, hayashi musician (b. 1941)[82]
- February 8 –
- Tadamasa Goto, yakuza leader (b. 1942)[83]
- Tadao Yasuda, sumo wrestler (b. 1963)[84]
- February 10 –
- Takamitsu Muraoka, linguist (b. 1938)[85]
- Shutaro Iida, 52, video game programmer (Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin) and director (Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night) (b. 1973)[86]
- February 11 – Toshio Motoya, essayist, publisher, and businessman (b. 1943)[87]
- February 17 – Shinya, musician (b. 1970)[88]
March
[edit]- March 3 – Masako Ikeda, voice actress (b. 1939)[89]
- March 5 –
- Masaru Urata, member of the House of Councillors (1983–1989, 1992–1998) (b. 1925)[90]
- Yonehiko Kitagawa, voice actor (b. 1931)[91]
- March 6 – Tsutomu Shibayama, anime director (b. 1941)[92]
- March 14 – Shigeaki Mori, historian and atomic bomb survivor (b. 1937)[93]
- March 15 – Wakashimazu Mutsuo, sumo wrestler (b. 1957)[94]
- March 18 – Heisuke Hironaka, mathematician (Hironaka's example, Hironaka decomposition), Fields Medal winner (1970) (b. 1931)[95]
See also
[edit]Country overviews
[edit]Related timelines for current period
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ 「八十二長野銀行」きょう誕生、長野県内唯一の地銀に…預金残高は９・５兆円. Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). January 1, 2026. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
- ^ "Tea-leaf spill causes multi-vehicle crash in eastern Japan, kills 1". Kyodo News. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
- ^ "Bluefin tuna sells for record $3.2 million at year-opening auction at Tokyo fish market". Associated Press. January 5, 2026. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
- ^ "Strong quakes rattle western Japan, no tsunami observed". Kyodo News. January 6, 2026. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ Power, John (January 7, 2026). "China bans export of dual-use items to Japan amid tensions over Taiwan". Al Jazeera. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
- ^ "[Chūkei eizō] Yamanashi sanrin kasai hi no fushimatsu nado kara moehirogatta ka" 【中継映像】山梨 山林火災 火の不始末などから燃え広がったか [[Live video] Yamanashi forest fire spread due to careless handling of fire]. NHK (in Japanese). January 8, 2026. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Hoteru mondai ni tomonau Maebashi shichō-sen, Ogawa-shi ga saisen hatasu…"hansei shite shikkari hatarake to takusa reta"" ホテル問題に伴う前橋市長選、小川氏が再選果たす…「反省してしっかり働けと託された」 [Mayor Ogawa re-elected in Maebashi mayoral election following hotel scandal... "I was told to reflect on my actions and work hard"]. Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). January 12, 2026. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ^ "Nikkei 225 sets all-time closing high above 54,000". NHK World-Japan. January 14, 2026. Retrieved January 15, 2026.[dead link]
- ^ Yoshida, Kei (January 14, 2026). 陸自の小型ドローン、1機が行方不明に 霧島演習場で飛行訓練中 [One small drone of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force goes missing during flight training at Kirishima Training Area] (in Japanese). The Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
- ^ "Kokumin minshu ya Jimin no giin e sanka yobikake mo rikken to Kōmei ga shintō kessei de gōi" 国民民主や自民の議員へ参加呼びかけも 立憲と公明が新党結成で合意 [The Constitutional Democratic Party and Komeito have agreed to form a new party, with calls for participation from Democratic Party for the People and LDP lawmakers.]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). January 15, 2026. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
- ^ Talosig-Bartolome, Malou (January 15, 2026). "Philippines, Japan ink logistics pact to boost defense cooperation". BusinessMirror. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
- ^ "Train service in central Tokyo resumes after 8-hour stoppage". NHK. January 17, 2026. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
- ^ "Japanese mayor apologises after calling staff 'human scum'". BBC. January 18, 2026. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
- ^ "Daigaku nyūgaku kyōtsū tesuto shonichi "berusaiyunobara" tsukatta mondai mo" 大学入学共通テスト初日「ベルサイユのばら」使った問題も [The first day of the Common University Entrance Examination included a question using "The Rose of Versailles"]. NHK (in Japanese). January 17, 2026. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
- ^ "Tourist helicopter goes missing near volcano in Japan". BBC. January 21, 2026. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
- ^ "Life sentence for man who killed Japan's ex-PM Shinzo Abe". BBC. January 21, 2026. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
- ^ "Fukushima nuclear plant operator restarts reactor at another plant, reviving safety concerns". AP News. January 21, 2026. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
- ^ "Denaoshi Ōsakafu chiji-sen ga kokuji, Yoshimura-shi-ra 3-ri ga rikkōho shuyō seitō wa miokuri" 出直し大阪府知事選が告示、吉村氏ら3人が立候補 主要政党は見送り [Re-election of Osaka gubernatorial election announced, Yoshimura and three others running; major parties refrain from running]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). January 22, 2026. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
- ^ "Japan's Takaichi dissolves parliament after only 3 months in office, setting up snap election". AP News. January 23, 2026. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
- ^ "Fukui kenchiji tōsen no ishida shi "tan'itsu minzoku kokka" hatsugen "teisei shitai"" 福井県知事当選の石田氏 “単一民族国家”発言「訂正したい」 [Fukui Prefecture Governor-elect Ishida: "I would like to correct my remarks about Japan being a mono-ethnic nation"]. NHK (in Japanese). January 26, 2026. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
- ^ "Japan court orders compensation for migrants lured to North Korea". BBC. January 27, 2026. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ^ Bateman, Tom (January 27, 2026). "Japan bids farewell to last giant pandas as pair leave for China". Reuters. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ^ "Street robbers steal US$2.7 million in cash in rare Tokyo heist". Channel News Asia. January 30, 2026. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
- ^ "Japan retrieves rare earth-rich mud from seabed to lower reliance on China". AP News. February 2, 2026. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
- ^ 近畿大学 世界初の“ノドグロの完全養殖に成功”と発表 [Kinki University announces the world's first "success in fully-fledged aquaculture of blackthroat seaperch"]. NHK (in Japanese). February 6, 2026. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ "Japanese stocks surge as Takaichi secures historic election victory". BBC. February 9, 2026. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
- ^ 山口県知事選、村岡氏の得票率69・11% 投票率30年ぶり5割超え [Yamaguchi gubernatorial election: Muraoka receives 69.11% of votes, voter turnout exceeds 50% for first time in 30 years]. Chugoku Shimbun (in Japanese). February 9, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ Ichinomiya, Fuminari (February 9, 2026). 長崎県知事選、平田氏が初当選 現職との保守分裂選制す【最終得票、当選者略歴】 [Nagasaki Prefectural Gubernatorial Election: Hirata Wins First Election, Splits Conservatives with Incumbent [Final Vote Count, Winner's Profile]]. Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ a b "JIP's Yoshimura, Yokoyama reelected in Osaka gubernatorial, mayoral race". Kyodo News. February 9, 2026. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
- ^ "Japan says it seized Chinese vessel amid tensions with Beijing". BBC. February 13, 2026. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ "After heavy defeat, Japan's Centrist Reform Alliance elects new leader". Nikkei Asia. February 13, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ "Worker dies in controlled blaze at limestone plateau park in Japan". Kyodo News. February 14, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ "1 dead, 2 injured in stabbing in Osaka, suspect arrested". Kyodo News. February 15, 2026. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ "Japan's Takaichi formally reappointed as PM following election victory". France 24. February 18, 2026. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
- ^ "Nighttime fire at Buddhist temple kills 5 in western Japan". Kyodo News. February 21, 2026. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
- ^ "2 dead as cargo ship collides with fishing boat off central Japan". Kyodo News. February 21, 2026. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
- ^ "China restricts exports to 40 Japanese entities with ties to military". AP News. February 26, 2026. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
- ^ "U.S. court convicts Japanese man of trafficking nuclear material". The Japan Times. March 4, 2026. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ "Japan: Court upholds order to dissolve Unification Church". BBC. March 4, 2026. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ Sakamoto, Takahiro (March 5, 2026). 釧路湿原メガソーラー、現場から基準超える有害物質 北海道、日本エコロジーに調査命令へ [Kushiro Wetland Mega Solar, Harmful Substances That Overseed The Standard From The Site Hokkaido, Japan Ecology To Be Instructed To Investigate]. Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). Retrieved April 1, 2026.
- ^ "Japan approves stem-cell treatment for Parkinson's in world first". France 24. March 6, 2026. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
- ^ "Japan, Canada sign strategic agreement in defense and energy as war in Mideast fuels oil concerns". AP News. March 6, 2026. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
- ^ "Japan Confirms New Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu Outbreak In Hokkaido". MENAFN. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
- ^ "Ishikawa kenchiji senkyo, 2026-nen 2 tsuki 19-nichi kokuji 3 gatsu 8-nichi tōkaihyō" 石川県知事選挙、2026年2月19日告示・3月8日投開票 [Ishikawa Prefectural Gubernatorial Election: Announcement on February 19, 2026, Voting on March 8]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). December 18, 2025. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ "Japan to release oil stocks as US says buy American". Reuters. March 15, 2026.
- ^ "2 dead after 2 boats carrying students capsize off US base construction site in southern Japan". AP News. Retrieved March 16, 2026.
- ^ "Japan says Chinese Embassy break-in 'regrettable'". DW. March 25, 2026. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
- ^ "24,000 protest Constitution revisions, attacks on Iran in front of Japan's Diet". Mainichi Shimbun. March 26, 2026. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
- ^ "殺害された２１歳女性、ポケモンセンターで働くのが「夢だった」…死亡の２６歳男は元交際相手". 読売新聞オンライン (in Japanese). March 27, 2026. Retrieved March 27, 2026.
- ^ 「侵攻やめろ」イスラエルのガザ攻撃に抗議のデモ 新宿駅周辺で市民団体、中東の平和を訴え行進：東京新聞デジタル ["Stop invading" Demonstrations protesting Israel's attack on Gaza Citizens' groups march around Shinjuku Station to appeal for peace in the Middle East]. The Tokyo Shimbun (in Japanese). March 28, 2026. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
- ^ Inoue, Sho (November 28, 2025). "Sōmu-shō ga NHK no "rajio dai 2 hōsō" haishi o ninka 2026-nen 3 getsumatsu made ni hōsō shūryō e" 総務省がNHKの「ラジオ第2放送」廃止を認可 2026年3月末までに放送終了へ [The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications approves the abolition of NHK's "Radio 2" broadcasting, which will end by the end of March 2026.]. ITmedia (in Japanese). Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ^ NHKラジオ再編 幕下ろしたラジオ第2は「最後の専門チャンネル」 [NHK Radio Reorganization The second radio that was curtained is the "last specialized channel"]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). March 30, 2026. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
- ^ 栃木県南部で震度５弱、震源は茨城県南部・津波の心配なし…東北新幹線が一時運転見合わせ [In southern Tochigi Prefecture, the earthquake intensity is less than 5, the epicenter is in the southern part of Ibaraki Prefecture, no concern about tsunami ... The Tohoku Shinkansen temporarily suspends operation]. Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). April 1, 2026. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
- ^ "Kyōto no kotoshi no senkyo Ayabe shichō o kawagiri ni 6 shichō de shuchō-sen, 4 gatsu ni chiji-sen" 京都の今年の選挙 綾部市長を皮切りに6市町で首長選、4月に知事選 [Kyoto Elections This Year: Mayoral elections in six cities and towns, starting with the Ayabe mayoral election, followed by the gubernatorial election in April]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). January 1, 2026. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ "(# Seikan-kai fairu) Nīgata chiji-sen wa 5-gatsu 31-nichi" （＃政官界ファイル）新潟知事選は５月３１日 [(#Politics-Bureau File) Niigata gubernatorial election on May 31st]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). January 23, 2026. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
- ^ 滋賀県知事選は7月5日投開票 「交通税」導入の是非など争点 [The Shiga Prefecture gubernatorial election will be cast on July 5th. The pros and cons of introducing "transportation tax" are points of dispute.]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). February 18, 2026. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
- ^ Takagi, Fumiko (March 20, 2026). 長野県知事選の日程決まる 7月23日告示、8月9日投開票 [The date of the Nagano Prefecture gubernatorial election will be announced on July 23, and the vote will be cast on August 9]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). Retrieved March 30, 2026.
- ^ 沖縄県知事選、投開票は9月13日 告示は8月27日に決定 [Okinawa Prefecture gubernatorial election, voting will be held on September 13, announcement will be decided on August 27]. Ryūkyū Shimpō (in Japanese). March 23, 2026. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
- ^ Kaneko, Kazefumi (August 8, 2025). "Shuri-jo Castle's main hall has a new facade 6 years after fire". The Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ^ "2026 Asian Games to be held in autumn to avoid summer heat in Japan". Xinhua. August 19, 2018. Archived from the original on October 23, 2018. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
- ^ Elliot McGowan (January 23, 2025). "Tokyo to host 2026 Women's Lacrosse Championship". Inside the Games.
- ^ "List of JRA Graded Races 2026｜List of JRA Graded Races｜Horse Racing in Japan". Horse Racing in Japan. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ^ "List of JRA Graded Races 2026｜List of JRA Graded Races｜Horse Racing in Japan". Horse Racing in Japan. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ^ "List of JRA Graded Races 2026｜List of JRA Graded Races｜Horse Racing in Japan". Horse Racing in Japan. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ^ 【訃報】岩下八司さんが死去 バングラデシュ支援NPOの代表 - 丹波新聞 (in Japanese). January 2, 2026. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
- ^ 藤井俊男さん死去 元民主党参院議員 [Former Democratic Party House of Councillors member Toshio Fujii passes away]. Hokkaido Shimbun (in Japanese). January 13, 2026. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
- ^ 元グラドル藤乃あおいさん死去 27歳 親族が発表 23年に希少がんを公表 闘病続けていた. Sponichi (in Japanese). January 9, 2026. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
- ^ 北海道・前釧路市長の蝦名大也さん（67）死去 議員秘書や北海道議などを経て4期16年釧路市長 防災インフラの整備に尽力 関係者からも悼む声 [Former Kushiro Mayor Daiya Ebina (67) passes away. He served as secretary to a member of the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly and served as mayor for four terms (16 years). He contributed to the development of disaster prevention infrastructure. His family mourns him.]. TBS News (in Japanese). January 8, 2026. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
- ^ 画家・中村宏さん死去 砂川闘争描いた「ルポルタージュ絵画」. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). January 8, 2026. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
- ^ "Genius Chimpanzee Ai Dies at Age 49, Primate Known for Enthusiastic Role in Research on Learning, Memory". The Japan News. January 11, 2026. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
- ^ 元全社協会長、長尾立子氏逝く 女性初の法務大臣 [Former president of the Japan Federation of Associations, Tatsuko Nagao, passes away; first female Minister of Justice]. Fukushi Shimbun (in Japanese). January 19, 2026. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
- ^ Takashi Ono, 1928–2026
- ^ 児玉更太郎さん（こだま・こうたろう＝元安芸高田市長. Chugoku Shimbun (in Japanese). January 11, 2026. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ^ Cayanan, Joanna (January 28, 2026). "Dragon Ball's Majin Buu Voice Actor Kōzō Shioya Dies at 71". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
- ^ G1・５勝の25歳ダイワメジャーが息を引き取る 種牡馬でも活躍「本当に立派」. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). Yahoo! News Japan. January 20, 2026. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
- ^ "Eiga kantoku no higashiyōichi-san shikyo "sādo" "hashinonaikawa"" 映画監督の東陽一さん死去 「サード」「橋のない川」 [Yoichi Azuma, film director of "The Third" and "River Without a Bridge," passes away]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). January 27, 2026. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ^ "Former shogi master Hifumi Kato dies at 86". Japan Times. Jiji Press. January 22, 2026. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
- ^ 元��内・戦闘竜が死去、56歳、03年に引退し格闘家へ転身、元大関魁皇の浅香山親方は29日にお見舞いも体調急変し会えず [Former Makuuchi wrestler Sentoryu has passed away at the age of 56. He retired in 2003 and became a martial artist. Former Ozeki Kaio's stablemaster Asakayama visited him on the 29th but was unable to meet due to his sudden deterioration in health.]. Chunichi Shimbun (in Japanese). January 30, 2026. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ 映画監督の長谷川和彦さん死去 80歳 代表作に「青春の殺人者」 [Film director Kazuhiko Hasegawa passes away at age 80. His most famous work is "Murderer of Youth."]. Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). February 1, 2026. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ 声優・池田勝が死去、「ヤッターマン」ヤッターワン役など演じる. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). February 16, 2026. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
- ^ 国際ジャーナリスト・作家の落合信彦さん死去 84歳 老衰のため 息子は落合陽一氏. Oricon. February 1, 2026. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
- ^ 長唄鳴物の人間国宝、藤舎名生さんが84歳で死去 [Living National Treasure Nagauta narimono player Tōsha Meishō passes away at age 84]. Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). February 6, 2026. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ 「武闘派」「経済やくざ」…死去の後藤忠政元組長 山口組除籍後は自叙伝、カンボジア移住 [Former Yamaguchi-gumi boss Tadamasa Goto, who was described as a "militant" and "economic yakuza," wrote an autobiography and moved to Cambodia after being expelled from the group.]. Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). February 12, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ 【SSPW】村上和成が魔界倶楽部で共闘した故安田忠夫さんについてしみじみ「寂しいよね」 [[SSPW] Kazunari Murakami speaks fondly about the late Tadao Yasuda, with whom he fought alongside in the Makai Club: "It's so sad."]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). February 13, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ 世界的な聖書語学者の村岡崇光氏死去、８８歳 ライデン大学名誉教授 [World-renowned biblical linguist Takamitsu Muraoka dies at age 88, professor emeritus at Leiden University]. Christian Today (in Japanese). February 13, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ Extension, Time (February 16, 2026). ""His Talent Was Unparalleled" - Castlevania And Bloodstained Veteran Shutaro Iida Has Lost His Battle With Cancer". Time Extension. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
- ^ 元谷外志雄氏が死去 アパグループ創業者 [Toshio Motoya, founder of APA Group, passes away]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). February 13, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ "Luna Sea Drummer Shinya Dies at 56; Powerful Drummer Behind 'Desire,' Other Hits". The Yomiuri Shimbun. February 23, 2026. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
- ^ "池田昌子さん87歳で死去「銀河鉄道999」メーテル役、オードリー・ヘプバーン吹き替えなど". eiga.com (in Japanese). March 13, 2026. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
- ^ "元自民党参院議員の浦田勝さん死去". Jiji Press (in Japanese). March 6, 2026. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
- ^ "声優・北川米彦さん、肺炎で死去 94歳 『キン肉マン』委員長、『海のトリトン』ナレーションなど". Oricon (in Japanese). March 18, 2026. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ^ "アニメ監督・芝山努さん、肺がんで死去 84歳 映画『ドラえもん』シリーズ長年担当". Oricon (in Japanese). March 17, 2026. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ^ "Shigeaki Mori, Hiroshima hibakusha hugged by Obama, dies at 88". The Japan Times. March 17, 2026. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ^ "元大関若嶋津が死去、69歳…高田みづえさんと結婚した「南海の黒ヒョウ」". eiga.com (in Japanese). March 15, 2026. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ^ "数学者の広中平祐さん死去 フィールズ賞受賞・元山口大学長、94歳：朝日新聞". 朝日新聞 (in Japanese). March 18, 2026. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
