Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Minoru Kihara, bows to members of the House of Councilors after lawmakers passed a law prohibiting desecration of the national flag, Tokyo, July 17, 2026.

国旗損壊罪が参議院で可決した後、一礼する木原稔官房長官、2026年7月17日。
© 2026 Eugene Hoshiko/AP Photo