2022 Major events around the world and in Japan (January to July)

January

January Unrest in Kazakhstan

January 15 Volcanic eruptions and tsunami disaster in Tonga

February

February 4 to March 13 The Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022

Photo: NAGATA Yohei/Aflo Sports

February 24 Start of Russia's aggression against Ukraine

Photo: ZUMA Press/Aflo

March

March 9 Election of President YOON Suk Yeol of the ROK

Photo: Pool photo/Reuters/Aflo

March 24 Address to the Diet by President Zelenskyy of Ukraine (online)

Photo:Pool photo/Reuters/Aflo

April

April 7 Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Japan participates for the first time

April 15 The 8th Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue

April 24 Election of President Macron of France

May

May 10 Election of President Marcos of the Philippines

Photo: AP/Aflo

May 12-14 G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting

May 15 The 50th anniversary of the reversion of Okinawa to Japan

May 24 Japan-Australia-India-U.S. (Quad)Leaders' Meeting held in Japan

Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office

June

June 26-28 G7 Elmau Summit

June 29 NATO Summit Meeting, Japan participates for the first time

Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office

July

July 19 The COVID-19 Global Action Plan (GAP) Foreign Ministerial Meeting

Russia's aggression against Ukraine

Displaced people from Ukraine

Photo: THE MAINICHI NEWSPAPERS/Aflo

Signs of massacre after withdrawal of Russian troops (Bucha)

Photo: Reuters/Aflo

Military activities around Japan

Missile launches by North Korea with unprecedented frequency and in unprecedented manners

Photo: AFP=Jiji Press

Photo: KNS=Jiji Press

Joint flights and navigation by China and Russia

Photo: The Japan Joint Staff home page

August

August 1-26 The Tenth NPT Review Conference

Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office

August 3 U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives Pelosi visits Taiwan

August 4 Chinese military exercise around Taiwan Missile landing within Japan's adjacent waters

Photo: Xinhua/Aflo

August 27-28 The Eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 8)

September

September 8 Passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Photo: AP/Aflo

September 16 Death of an Iranian woman; demonstrations and riots in various areas

Photo: AP/Aflo

September 20-26 Addresses at the General Debate of the UN General Assembly

September 27 State Funeral for the Late Prime Minister ABE Shinzo

Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office

September 30 Declaration of “incorporation” of parts of Ukraine by Russia

October

October 22 Inauguration of President of the Council of Ministers Meloni of Italy

October 23 Election of General Secretary Xi Jinping of the Communist Party of China for the 3rd term

Photo: Xinhua/Aflo

October 25 Inauguration of Prime Minister Sunak of the United Kingdom

October 30 Election of President Lula of Brazil

November

November 3-4 G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting

November 6-20 COP27 in Egypt

Photo: AP/Aflo

November 8 U.S. midterm elections

November 11-13 ASEAN-related Summit Meetings

November 15-16 G20 Bali Summit

November 18-19 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting

November 20 to December 18 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar

December

December 3 World Assembly for Women (WAW! 2022)

December 16 Adoption of the new National Security Strategy

December 24 The 9th Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue

Successive abnormal weather

Floods in Pakistan

Photo: AFP/Aflo

Heat wave striking Europe

Photo: Reuters/Aflo

Food and energy crisis

People seeking food assistance

Photo: WFP/Michael Tewelde

Severe energy shortages and rising prices

Photo: Abaca/Aflo

Photo: Reuters/Aflo