Here is a selection of Kyodo News photos taken this week in Japan and beyond.
Photo taken on Nov. 26, 2022, in Asago in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, shows about 500 lanterns lit at the Takeda Castle ruins, a tourist spot dubbed a "castle in the sky" as it is famous for a sea of clouds surrounding the ruins. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
A man votes in a local election at a polling station in New Taipei City, Taiwan, on Nov. 26, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Japan supporters cheer ahead of a World Cup Group E football match against Costa Rica near Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on Nov. 27, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Japan captain Maya Yoshida (22) looks dejected after the team's 1-0 loss to Costa Rica at a World Cup Group E football match at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on Nov. 27, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Security officers stand patrol in Beijing on Nov. 28, 2022, after a protest against the government's "zero-COVID" policy. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
U.S. first lady Jill Biden speaks at an unveiling of this year's White House holiday theme and Christmas decorations in Washington on Nov. 28, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
A doll maker in Tokyo unveils "Hina" dolls modeled after newsmakers of the year on Nov. 29, 2022, including Yakult Swallows cleanup hitter Munetaka Murakami (lower left), the Central League's first batting Triple Crown winner since 1986. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (front) bows after the second extra budget for fiscal 2022 was approved by the House of Representatives Budget Committee on Nov. 29, 2022, in Tokyo. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Astronauts attend a news conference before the Shenzhou-15 spaceflight mission at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China's northwestern Gansu Province on Nov. 28, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
A Long March-2F Y15 rocket, carrying the Shenzhou-15 spacecraft and three astronauts on a mission to complete China's first space station, is launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China's northwestern Gansu Province on Nov. 29, 2022. (Kyodo)
Ecuador supporters cheer before a World Cup Group A football match against Senegal at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Nov. 29, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attends a House of Councillors Budget Committee session in Tokyo on Dec. 1, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Photo taken on Nov. 30, 2022, shows the official Xinhua News Agency's news site on a smartphone screen turning black and white following the death of former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
The Chinese national flag is flown at half-mast at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Dec. 1, 2022, following the death of former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Japanese Princess Hisako (R), honorary patron of the Japan Football Association, holds a camera in the stands ahead of a World Cup Group E football match between Japan and Spain at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Dec. 1, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Ao Tanaka (2nd from R) scores Japan's second goal during the second half of a World Cup Group E football match against Spain at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Dec. 1, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
A lobby at Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Tokyo is dimly lit on Dec. 1, 2022, as an electricity-saving period began in the country for the winter season through March due to power crunch concerns. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Santa Claus arrives at Narita airport in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, from Finland on Dec. 2, 2022, as part of a promotional campaign by the northern European country's airline Finnair. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Back number:
Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - Nov. 19~25
Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - Nov. 12~18
Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - Nov. 5~11
Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - Oct. 29~Nov. 4
