Through the Lens: Malaysia’s Mahathir turns 100 and Japan’s emperor visits Mongolia

Mahathir Mohamad, one of the world's oldest living former heads of government, celebrates his 100th birthday. Born in 1925, he entered politics in the 1940s and twice served as Malaysia's prime minister, first for a 22-year term from 1981 and then for about two years from 2018.

Mahathir Mohamad, pictured here at his office in Putrajaya on July 9, turned 100 years old on July 10. The former Malaysian prime minister still maintains a disciplined daily routine, which includes staying engaged in national discourse, meeting with visitors, writing and offering counsel on political affairs. (Photo by Annice Lyn/Getty Images)

Mahathir holds a watch at his office on July 9. As the country’s fourth and seventh prime minister, he served a total of 24 years in office from 1981 to 2003, and again from 2018 to 2020. (Photo by Annice Lyn/Getty Images)

A collection Mahathir's family photos is seen at his private residence in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia, on July 8. (Photo by Annice Lyn/Getty Images)

Mahathir works at his private office in Putrajaya, on July 9. (Photo by Annice Lyn/Getty Images)

Mahathir eats breakfast at his private residence in Seri Kembangan on July 8. (Photo by Annice Lyn/Getty Images)

Fondant figurines of Mahathir and his wife Siti Hasmah sit on top of a cake at a birthday meet‑and‑greet in Putrajaya on July 10. (Photo by Annice Lyn/Getty Images)

Mahathir receives gifts from supporters during his birthday meet‑and‑greet in Putrajaya on July 10. (Photo by Annice Lyn/Getty Images)

Supporters take photos with Mahathir and his wife Siti Hasmah during Mahathir's birthday meet‑and‑greet in Putrajaya on July 10. Siti Hasmah’s 99th birthday was two days later on July 12. (Photo by Annice Lyn/Getty Images)

Mahathir rides on a tandem bicycle, accompanied by his personal security detail, during a birthday picnic event at Putrajaya Lake on July 13. The event was organized in celebration of Mahathir’s 100th birthday and Siti Hasmah's 99th birthday. During the event, Mahathir rode around the lake before leaving earlier than expected after reportedly feeling slightly fatigued. (Photo by Annice Lyn/Getty Images)

A supporter holds up Mahathir’s memoir during a birthday picnic for the former prime minister at Putrajaya Lake on July 13. (Photo by Annice Lyn/Getty Images)

Mahathir supporters gather at his birthday picnic at Putrajaya Lake on July 13. (Photo by Annice Lyn/Getty Images)

Hundreds of people perform Maghrib prayers at the Masjid Saidina Umar Al-Khattab mosque in Kuala Lumpur during a special prayer event held in conjunction with Mahathir’s 100th birthday. (Photo by Faris Hadziq/AP)

The special prayer event at the Masjid Saidina Umar Al-Khattab mosque in Kuala Lumpur served as a moment of reflection and tribute to Malaysia's longest serving prime minister. (Photo by Faris Hadziq/AP)

Mahathir performs the Maghrib prayer at the Masjid Saidina Umar Al-Khattab mosque in Kuala Lumpur on July 10. (Photo by Faris Hadziq/AP)

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited Mongolia from July 6 to July 13. The state visit cast a spotlight on the widely forgotten detention of thousands of Japanese soldiers and civilians in the last days of World War II. The emperor said he wished "to pay tribute to and ponder over the hardship of those who unwillingly lost their lives far away from their homeland."

A motorcade for Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako heads to a hotel in Ulaanbaatar on July 6, kicking off an eight-day state visit to Mongolia, the first by a Japanese emperor. (Pool photo)

Emperor Naruhito plays a viola during a state banquet in Ulaanbaatar on July 8. (Pool photo)

Emperor Naruhito talks with Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh in a ger, a traditional Mongolian tent, at the government office in Ulaanbaatar on July 8. (Pool photo)

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako talk with bereaved family members at the Dambadarjaa cemetery for deceased Japanese prisoners of war in Ulaanbaatar on July 8. (Pool photo)

People wait in front of an image of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako ahead of a welcoming ceremony at Sukhbaatar Square in Ulaanbaatar on July 8. (Photo by B. Rentsendorj/Reuters)

A crowd waits to see Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at Sukhbaatar Square in Ulaanbaatar on July 8. (Photo by B. Rentsendorj/Reuters)

Emperor Naruhito and Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh review an honour guard during a welcoming ceremony at Sukhbaatar Square in Ulaanbaatar on July 8. (Photo by B. Rentsendorj/Reuters)

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako watch Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh shoot an arrow during a traditional archery competition at the Naadam Festival held at National Central Stadium in Ulaanbaatar on July 11. (Pool photo)

A mounted honour guard takes part in the opening ceremony for the Naadam Festival in Ulaanbaatar on July 11. (Photo by B. Rentsendorj/Reuters)

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako watch an equestrian competition as part of the Naadam Festival in Ulaanbaatar on July 12. (Pool photo)

Riders participate in a horse race on a field in Ulaanbaatar on July 12. (Pool photo)

Emperor Naruhito speaks with the press after a visit to Hustai National Park, about 100 kilometers west of Ulaanbaatar, on July 12. (Pool photo)

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako wave as they wrap up their visit to Mongolia, at Chinggis Khaan International Airport on July 13. (Pool photo)