Here is a selection of Kyodo News photos taken this week in Japan and beyond.

July 29

One of Tokyo's most famous fireworks festivals returns for the first time in four years following the lifting of coronavirus pandemic restrictions, lighting up the sky over the Sumida River. (Kyodo)
 
Japan gets back to winning ways as they beat Tonga 21-16 in the second round of the Pacific Nations Series at Hanazono Rugby Stadium. (Kyodo)

July 30

People dressed as armored warriors compete for a sacred flag during a traditional summer event in the northeastern Japan city of Minamisoma. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
 
Japan ends the world aquatics championships in Fukuoka with just two bronzes in swimming races, though its artistic swimmers' strong performance yields four golds, a record world championship haul. (Kyodo)
 
Crown Prince Fumihito and his son Prince Hisahito visit a farm during a national high school cultural festival in Soo, Kagoshima Prefecture. (Kyodo)

July 31

The number of tourists staying at hotels and other accommodation facilities in June exceeds pre-pandemic monthly levels for the first time in more than three years. Fushimi Inari Taisha, a Shinto shrine in Kyoto, is crowded with tourists. (Kyodo)
 
Japan claims a resounding 4-0 victory over Spain to top Group C with three straight wins at the Women's World Cup. Japan, who are yet to concede a goal at the tournament, is facing Group A runners-up Norway in the round of 16. (Kyodo) 
 
Popular Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ennosuke is released on bail following his indictment for allegedly assisting in his parents' suicide. (Kyodo)

Aug. 1

A colorful lantern float is paraded through the streets in the northeastern Japan city of Aomori on the first day of the six-day Aomori Nebuta Festival. (Kyodo)
 
A Buddhist monk at Isakiji Temple jumps into Lake Biwa from a height of about 7 meters in the Shiga Prefecture city of Omihachiman during a traditional ritual and part of training. (Kyodo)

Aug. 2

Mitsuki Takahata, a Japanese actress and voice actor for the blockbuster movie "Barbie," attends a promotional event in Tokyo. In an Instagram post, she commented on a social media controversy involving atomic bomb-related imagery inspired by the biopic "Oppenheimer," calling the episode "truly, truly regrettable." (Kyodo)
 
Local officials join in the fun in cosplay costumes as Nagoya, a central Japan city, prepares to host the three-day World Cosplay Summit from Aug. 4. (Kyodo)
 
A tree lies uprooted on a street in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, as typhoon Khanun batters the southern Japanese island prefecture. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Aug. 3

Sherry Drury, a young running phenom in Tsuyama, Okayama Prefecture, competes in a women's 1,500-meter race during the all-Japan high school athletic meet in Sapporo. (Kyodo)
 
Police search the dormitory of Nihon University's American football team in Tokyo over an allegation that a member possessed cannabis. (Kyodo) 
 
Eigo Tanaka and other Japanese swimmers are taking part in the Para Swimming World Championships in Manchester, Britain. (Kyodo)

Aug. 4

People take cover in Sapporo during an evacuation drill under the assumption that a missile was flying toward the northern Japan city. (Kyodo)
 
Children from across Japan enter the Buddhist priesthood during a ceremony at Higashihonganji temple in Kyoto. Boys and girls as young as 9 can receive the rite. (Kyodo)

Back number:

Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - July 22~28

Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - July 15~21

Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - July 8~14

Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - July 1~7