YURI KAGEYAMA

Japan reporter

Kageyama covers Japan news for The Associated Press. Her topics include social issues, the environment, businesses, entertainment and technology.

Bystanders look at damages somewhere near Noto town in the Noto peninsula facing the Sea of Japan, northwest of Tokyo, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, following Monday's deadly earthquake. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Rescuers race against time in search for survivors in Japan after powerful quakes leave 65 dead

Japanese rescue workers and canine units are searching urgently through rubble ahead of predicted bitter cold and heavy rain in what the prime minister called a race against time after powerful earthquakes killed at least 65 people.

A man cries as a body of his family member was found from a collapsed house caused by powerful earthquake in Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. A series of powerful earthquakes hit western Japan, damaging buildings, vehicles and boats, with officials warning people in some areas on Tuesday to stay away from their homes because of a risk of more strong quakes. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Powerful earthquakes in Japan leave at least 62 dead. Fears grow about saving people still trapped

A series of powerful earthquakes has hit western Japan, leaving at least 62 people dead. Rescue efforts continued Wednesday to get out those trapped beneath collapsed buildings.

Cracks are seen on the ground in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, following an earthquake. Japan issued tsunami alerts Monday after a series of strong quakes in the Sea of Japan. (Kyodo News via AP)

Japan lowers tsunami warning after a series of earthquakes but tells people to stay away from coast

Japan has dropped its highest-level tsunami alert, issued following a series of major earthquakes on Monday.

FILE - Haruyuki Takahashi, executive board member of the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games arrives at Tokyo 2020 Executive Board Meeting in Tokyo on March 30, 2020. Takahashi, a former member of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee, appeared in a Tokyo district court for the first time on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, to face charges of taking millions in bribes tied to the Games. He was arrested more than a year ago and its unclear when his trial will end. (Issei Kato/Pool Photo via AP, Pool, File)

Ex-Tokyo Olympics official pleads not guilty to taking bribes in exchange for Games contracts

A former member of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee has appeared in district court and pleaded not guilty to taking $1.4 million in bribes in exchange for contracts for the Games.

FILE - A Nintendo sign is seen outside Nintendo's official store in the Shibuya district of Tokyo, on Jan. 23, 2020. Nintendo has cancelled an upcoming video game event in Japan, and postponed several others, because of persistent threats to the company, its workers and people who may take part in them. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Nintendo cancels its Live 2024 Tokyo event after persistent threats to workers and customers

Nintendo has canceled an upcoming video game event and postponed several others because of persistent threats to the company, its workers and players.

FILE - The headquarters of Japanese advertising company Dentsu Inc. stands in Tokyo on June 5, 2020. The bid-rigging trial around the Tokyo Olympics played out Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in a Japanese courtroom — more than two years after the Games closed — with advertising giant Dentsu and five other companies facing criminal charges. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)

Tokyo Olympics sullied by bid-rigging, bribery trials more than 2 years after the Games closed

The bid-rigging trial around the Tokyo Olympics is playing out in a Japanese courtroom — more than two years after the Games closed — with advertising giant Dentsu and five other companies facing criminal charges.

A person walks in front of an electronic stock board showing Japan's Stock Price index at a securities firm Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in Tokyo. Asian shares declined in cautious trading Tuesday ahead of some key reports this week on the U.S. job market that might provide insight into the Federal Reserve’s thinking about interest rates.(AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Stock market today: Asian shares slip ahead of key US economic reports

Asian shares have declined in cautious trading ahead of some key reports this week on the U.S. job market that might provide insight into the Federal Reserve’s thinking about interest rates.

Toyota selling part of Denso stake to raise cash to develop electric vehicles

Toyota is selling a part of its stake in components maker Denso to raise cash for its drive toward electric vehicles and other innovations.

A person on a bicycle looks at an electronic stock board showing Japan's Nikkei 225 index at a securities firm Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Stock market today: Asia trading mixed after strong US consumer confidence data push Wall St higher

Asian shares are mixed after a strong report on U.S. consumer confidence and hopes the Federal Reserve is finished with its aggressive interest rate hikes sent shares higher on Wall Street.

A person walks in front of an electronic stock board showing Japan's Nikkei 225 index at a securities firm Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, in Tokyo. Asian shares were mostly higher on Tuesday after a rally on Wall Street led by gains in Microsoft following its announcement that it was hiring Sam Altman, former CEO of OpenAI, the ChatGPT maker. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Stock market today: Asian shares are mostly higher after Wall Street rally led by Microsoft gains

Asian shares are mostly higher after a rally on Wall Street led by gains in Microsoft after it announced it was hiring Sam Altman, former CEO of OpenAI, the ChatGPT maker.

Daisaku Ikeda, who headed Soka Gakkai, a Japanese Buddhist organization, attends a meeting at a hotel in Tokyo, May 2008. Ikeda has died, the Japanese religious organization said Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. He was 95. (Kyodo News via AP)

Daisaku Ikeda, head of global Japanese Buddhist organization Soka Gakkai, dies at 95

Daisaku Ikeda, who headed Soka Gakkai, a Japanese Buddhist organization, that includes Herbie Hancock and other celebrities in its fold, has died.

FILE - A container ship is loaded and unloaded at a container terminal at a port of Kawasaki near Tokyo on March 9, 2022. Japan has reported that its exports increased by 1.6% in October from a year earlier, as auto and ship shipments increased, according to government data released Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File)

Japan’s exports grow better than expected as auto shipments climb

Japan has reported that its exports increased by 1.6% in October from a year earlier, as auto and ship shipments increased.

FILE - People walk across a pedestrian crossing in Ginza shopping district in Tokyo on March 31, 2023. Japan’s economy slipped into a contraction in the third quarter, decreasing at an annual pace of 2.1% as consumption and investments shrank, the government reported Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)

Japan’s economy sinks into contraction as spending, investment decline

Japan has reported that its economy contracted at a 2.1% annual pace in July-September as consumption and investment weakened.

FILE - A post office worker stands in front of an electronic stock board showing Japan's Nikkei 225 index at a securities firm in Tokyo, on Nov. 6, 2023. Asian shares surged higher on Wednesday, Nov. 15 cheered by a rally on Wall Street that was one of the best days of the year following a surprisingly encouraging report on inflation. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)

Stock market today: Asian shares get a lift from rally in US following encouraging inflation report

Asian shares are mostly higher, cheered by a rally on Wall Street that was one of the best days of the year following a surprisingly encouraging report on inflation.

A person walks past an electronic stock board showing Japan's Nikkei 225 index at a securities firm Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, in Tokyo. Asian shares were mostly higher Tuesday ahead of potentially market-moving developments, including a U.S.-China summit and data releases from the U.S., Japan and China. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Stock market today: Asian shares are mostly higher ahead of US inflation data and a US-China summit

Asian shares are trading mostly higher ahead of potentially market-moving developments, including a U.S.-China summit and data releases in the U.S., Japan and China.

Japanese automaker Nissan’s profits zoom on strong sales, favorable exchange rates

Nissan has reported that its profit zoomed more than 10-fold in the last quarter from a year before, boosted by a weak Japanese yen and strong vehicle sales around the world.

Japan’s SoftBank hit with $6.2B quarterly loss as WeWork, other tech investments go sour

Japanese technology company SoftBank Group has reported it racked up a huge loss in the July-September quarter, as some of its investments soured.

Profits slip at Japan’s Sony, hit by lengthy Hollywood strike

Sony has reported that its profit in the July-September quarter slipped 29% from a year earlier, as damage from a strike in the movie sector offset boosts from a favorable exchange rate.

Japanese automaker Honda reports its 3Q profit jumped on strong demand at home and in the US

Honda has reported that its profit jumped 34% in the July-September quarter from a year earlier as a cheap yen helped boost the Japanese automaker’s overseas strong earnings thanks to healthy demand, especially in the U.S.

FILE - A Nintendo Switch console is seen at a retail store in Buffalo Grove, Ill., Thursday, Feb. 9, 2022. Nintendo is developing a live-action film based on its hit video game "The Legend of Zelda," the Japanese maker behind the Super Mario franchise said Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

‘The Legend of Zelda’ will be made into a live-action film

Nintendo is developing a live-action film based on its hit video game “The Legend of Zelda.” The Japanese maker behind the Super Mario franchise said Wednesday said it’s financing the movie with Sony Pictures Entertainment.

FILE - A Nintendo sign is seen outside Nintendo's official store in the Shibuya district of Tokyo, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. Nintendo reported an 18% rise in net profit for the first fiscal half on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, as sales continued to get a boost from its hit Super Mario movie, as well as the popularity of various new video game software.(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Japan’s Nintendo profits jump as its game sales get a boost from the hit Super Mario movie

Nintendo is reporting an 18% rise in its net profit for the first fiscal half, as sales were boosted by its hit Super Mario movie.

A currency trader passes by the screens showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), left, and the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollar and South Korean won, center, at the foreign exchange dealing room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. Asian shares were mixed in muted trading on Wednesday as attention focused on prospects for improved China-U.S. relations from meetings next week on the sidelines of a Pacific Rim summit. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Stock market today: Asian shares mixed after Wall Street ticks up

Asian shares are mixed in muted trading as attention focuses on prospects for improved China-U.S. relations from meetings next week on the sidelines of a Pacific Rim summit.

This image released by @2023 TOHO CO., LTD. shows Godzilla in a scene from “Godzilla Minus One.” Godzilla, the nightmarish radiation spewing monster born out of nuclear weapons, has stomped through many movies, including several Hollywood remakes. (@2023 TOHO CO., LTD. via AP)

Director of new Godzilla film pursuing ‘Japanese spirituality’ of 1954 original

Godzilla, the nightmarish radiation spewing monster born out of nuclear weapons, has stomped through many movies, including several Hollywood remakes.

Nippon Steel drops patent lawsuit against Toyota in name of partnership

Nippon Steel has dropped its lawsuit against Toyota over a patent for a technology used in electric motors, saying wrangling among Japanese companies was not beneficial to keep the nation competitive.

A currency trader passes by the screens showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), left, and the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollar and South Korean won, center, at the foreign exchange dealing room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. Asian shares were mostly higher Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve indicated it may not need to pump the brakes any harder on Wall Street and the economy. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Stock market today: Asian shares surge on hopes the Federal Reserve’s rate hikes are done

Asian shares are surging after the U.S. Federal Reserve indicated it may not need to pump the brakes any harder on Wall Street and the economy.

Japanese automaker Toyota’s profits zoom on cheap yen, strong global sales

Toyota’s profit in the latest quarter jumped nearly threefold from a year ago as vehicle sales grew around the world and a cheap yen boosted the Japanese automaker’s overseas earnings.

A currency trader passes by the screens showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), center, and the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollar and South Korean won, right, at the foreign exchange dealing room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. Asian shares were trading mostly lower Wednesday as investors looked ahead to a week that could see more swings in financial markets, including key reports on U.S. consumer confidence and the job market. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Stock market today: Asian shares mostly fall as investors look ahead to economic data

Asian shares are trading mostly lower as investors look ahead to a week that could see more swings in financial markets, including key reports on U.S. consumer confidence and the job market.

Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, left, and Yasutoshi Nishimura, right, the Japanese minister in charge of trade and the economy, attend a G-7 Trade Ministers' Meeting in Osaka, western Japan, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023. Trade and economy officials from the Group of Seven wealthy democracies strengthened their pledge Sunday to work together to ensure smooth supply chains for essentials like energy and food despite global uncertainties.(Kyodo News via AP)

G-7 nations back strong supply chains for energy and food despite global tensions

Trade and economy officials from the Group of Seven wealthy democracies have strengthened their pledge to work together to ensure smooth supply chains for essentials like energy and food despite global uncertainties.

The sporty FT-Se is displayed in a dim light before Toyota Motor Corp. CEO Koji Sato speaks during a briefing on the media day at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Japan’s automakers unveil EVs galore at Tokyo show to catch up with Tesla, other electric rivals

Toyota, Honda, Nissan and other Japanese automakers are serious about rolling out battery electric vehicles to catch up with the world’s frontrunners like Tesla and BYD.

A person walks in front of an electronic stock board showing Japan's Nikkei 225 index at a securities firm Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, in Tokyo. Shares were mixed Tuesday in Asia after Wall Street wobbled to a mixed close as yields on U.S. Treasury bonds fell back after creeping above 5%. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Stock market today: Asian shares mixed after US stocks wobble as US Treasury bond yields veer

Asian shares are mixed after Wall Street wobbled to a mixed close as yields on U.S. Treasury bonds fell back after jumping above 5%.