Moderate earthquakes with no tsunami threat have been reported in Hokkaido and Kumamoto/Kagoshima in Japan, as well as a strong magnitude 5.7 earthquake in Te Araroa, New Zealand.

Mount Tokachi in Hokkaido, Japan, erupted on the morning of the 22nd, marking its first eruption since 2004. The Japan Meteorological Agency maintains a Level 2 eruption alert, advising caution for large volcanic rocks within a 1.5-kilometer radius of the crater.

A 53-year-old Hong Kong woman was killed and five others injured in a head-on car crash in Japan's Hokkaido prefecture, marking the second such incident involving city residents in less than a week.

A train collided with a passenger car at a railway crossing on the JR Furano Line in Kamifurano Town, Hokkaido, injuring five people who were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

One year after a fatal brown bear attack in Fukushima Town, Hokkaido, DNA analysis linked the bear to a previous fatality, prompting experts to stress the importance of scientific methods for bear management.

The hiking trail on Mount Rausu in Hokkaido, Japan, part of a World Natural Heritage site, has been closed again after a brown bear was spotted approaching hikers. This closure comes approximately 11 months after entry restrictions were lifted following a previous bear incident.

Four hikers were stranded on a Hokkaido mountain after encountering a brown bear that blocked their trail, hours after a fatal bear attack prompted the reopening of the trail.

The PlayStation 5 exclusive game "Ghost of Yotei" has triggered a tourism push in Hokkaido, Japan, with plans for curated tours of locations featured in the game. This initiative aims to capitalize on the game's popularity to attract visitors.

今回の岩手県沖の地震について、気象庁は「北海道・三陸沖後発地震注意情報」の発表基準を満たすかどうかについて、現在、精査中だとしています。

The Japan Meteorological Agency announced that northern Tohoku has entered its rainy season, marking the start of tsuyu for all regions in Japan except Hokkaido. This year's start is 6 days later than average but 2 days earlier than last year.

The Hokkaido-based rock quartet TV Tairiku Ondo is gaining traction after a viral 90-second track in 2024, now performing at various venues and working on their debut album.

Hard drives containing electronic medical records and other information, which Hokkaido Medical Center had outsourced for disposal, were found to be listed on an internet auction. The National Hospital Organization announced that at least 180,000 patient and staff personal data records have been leaked, with a potential total of up to 510,000 records at risk.

Three people were transported to the hospital, one in critical condition, after reports of a man with a knife on a street in Chitose, Hokkaido.

A mosque fire in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, has exposed the need for deeper cooperation and better communication between Japanese and Pakistani residents on a broad range of issues.

A witness testified in the trial of a 23-year-old defendant accused of killing a 17-year-old high school girl in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, stating that the defendant pushed the victim off a bridge.

In the initial court hearing for the murder of a 17-year-old high school student in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, the 23-year-old defendant pleaded not guilty to charges including murder and confinement, stating he had no intent to kill and did not drop the victim from the bridge.

A 33-year-old employee of Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, has been re-arrested on suspicion of murdering his wife, with police finding he searched for 'killing acts' on his smartphone months before the incident, suggesting premeditation.

A 33-year-old employee of Asahiyama Zoo in Hokkaido, Japan, has been re-arrested on suspicion of murdering his wife, with police seizing multiple ropes from within the zoo premises, believed to have been used in the crime.

Japanese researchers have announced the first-ever confirmation of asteroid traces in Hokkaido, Japan, which may be linked to the extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs.

Japan's antitrust watchdog has raided nine construction companies and a government-linked railway infrastructure agency as part of a probe into alleged bid-rigging for the Hokkaido Shinkansen project. The investigation aims to uncover illicit practices in the bidding process.

Developing low pressure systems have brought strong winds to various regions of Japan, including Tohoku and Kanto, causing widespread damage. Hokkaido is expected to experience continued strong winds until the 6th, with the Japan Meteorological Agency urging caution against gales.

Multiple human bones were discovered in an incinerator at Asahiyama Zoo in Hokkaido, following the arrest of a 33-year-old employee suspected of burning his wife's body on the premises.

An earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 4.7 occurred off the coast of Kushiro, Hokkaido, causing a seismic intensity of 3 in Nemuro City and Hamanaka Town, with no tsunami risk.

A house fire in Kitami, Hokkaido, on April 30 resulted in the discovery of two bodies in the burnt-out remains. Police are working to identify the victims and investigate the cause of the fire.

A zoo employee in Hokkaido has confessed to burning his wife's body in an incinerator, leading the zoo to postpone its summer opening as it cooperates with the investigation.

A hunter in his 60s was attacked and injured by a brown bear while participating in a culling operation in Shimamaki Village, Hokkaido. The bear was subsequently culled.

Following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake off Sanriku, the Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a "Hokkaido-Sanriku Offshore Post-Earthquake Warning," indicating an increased possibility of a mega-earthquake along the Chishima and Japan Trenches and urging preparedness.

Following a recent M7.7 earthquake, Japan's Meteorological Agency has issued an aftershock warning for the Hokkaido-Sanriku offshore area, urging residents to continue preparedness due to increased potential for a mega-earthquake.

A memorial service was held in Shari Town, Hokkaido, marking four years since a tourist boat sank off the Shiretoko Peninsula, an accident that killed 20 passengers and crew and left six missing.

A magnitude 3 earthquake was observed in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, specifically in Morioka City, with no tsunami risk reported. Shakes of lower intensity were felt across Hokkaido and Tohoku regions.

One man was rescued and hospitalized after scaffolding collapsed at a construction site for an accommodation facility in Kutchan, Hokkaido, Japan. Police are investigating the incident in the Niseko resort area.

An 80-year-old man in Hokkaido, Japan, died after consuming a plant he collected in a forest, which was later identified as poisonous aconite, prompting a public warning from authorities.

Baby spotted seals have been born at an aquarium in Hokkaido, Japan, delighting visitors and staff.

The family of the victim had sought about ¥115 million in damages, claiming the city failed to respond appropriately.

An Ainu craft school in Hokkaido is preparing its inaugural class of students for graduation, marking a significant step in passing on the traditional skills and culture of the Indigenous ethnic group. The initiative aims to ensure the preservation of Ainu heritage for future generations.

This month, a male patient in his 90s who was hospitalized at a municipal hospital in Chitose City, Hokkaido, was administered the wrong medication by a nurse, and the patient subsequently died. The hospital apologized to the bereaved family, stating that it is highly likely that the incorrect medication led to the death, and will establish a committee including third parties to prevent recurrence.

Easy Japanese news in translation: Doll memorial service held at shrine in Hokkaido  毎日新聞

Police in Hokkaido, Japan, are using manga alerts to warn and assist foreign backcountry skiers who are increasingly getting stranded.

Production of tearless onions in Hokkaido, Japan, is projected to increase fivefold by 2029, indicating a significant expansion in the cultivation of this specialized crop.

Masayuki Takahashi fended off two challengers to win a seventh term.

Heavy snowfall has hit Japan's Hokkaido region, leading to school closures and disruptions.

A 19-year-old, Yuto Kawaguchi, has been sentenced to life in prison for his leading role in a fatal group assault on a 20-year-old university student in Hokkaido in 2024.

Japanese official Takaichi has expressed keenness to resume grave visits to Russian-held islands off Hokkaido, emphasizing it as a humanitarian issue and a top priority in Japan-Russia relations.

Three individuals, including a 60-year-old suspect, have been arrested in Hokkaido, Japan, for allegedly defrauding two Tokyo companies of 200 million yen by falsely claiming to transfer business rights for a planned wind power plant.

The Shibechari Ainu Tribe in Hokkaido has filed a lawsuit concerning the removal of Ainu remains from their graves, hoping to establish a legal precedent for cultural recognition and address historical injustices.

Rikubetsu Town in Hokkaido has issued evacuation orders for 1,922 residents across 20 districts following a Level 4 landslide danger warning. Residents in hazardous areas are urged to evacuate immediately.

Following a human-bear incident last year, a brown bear has been observed stalking hikers on Mount Rausu in Hokkaido's Shiretoko Peninsula, leading authorities to close the trail and consider culling the bear if it remains in the area.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) has opened a new flight operations management facility in Hokkaido, designed to ensure continuity of operations in the event of a disaster in the Tokyo metropolitan area. This strategic move aims to enhance resilience and preparedness.

The 27-year prison sentence for a 23-year-old defendant, convicted of murder and confinement for dropping a 17-year-old high school student from a bridge into a river in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, has been finalized after the appeal deadline passed.

Three youths have been sentenced to jail for their involvement in the fatal beating of a 20-year-old college student by six people in a Hokkaido park in 2024.

A 23-year-old defendant has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for the murder of a 17-year-old high school student in Hokkaido, Japan, and has indicated he will not appeal the verdict.

In the trial of an 18-year-old defendant accused of robbery and homicide in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, the prosecution has sought a 20-year prison sentence, while the defense argued for 15 years.

In the trial of a 23-year-old defendant accused of killing a 17-year-old high school student by dropping them into a river from a bridge in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, the prosecution has sought a 27-year prison sentence.

In the trial of a 23-year-old defendant accused of killing a 17-year-old high school student by dropping them into a river from a bridge in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, the defendant apologized for taking the victim's life but reiterated a denial of murderous intent.

The situation in Iran is affecting bear countermeasures in Hokkaido, Japan, with an electric fence manufacturer expressing concern that prolonged impact could hinder stable production.

The Mainichi News Quiz poses a question about a discovery made in Hokkaido by a team led by Tohoku University.

Three individuals have pleaded guilty in connection with the fatal assault of a 20-year-old university student in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, for which a total of six people were indicted.

Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi inspected a Self-Defense Forces base in Hokkaido, stressing the importance of maintaining a robust defense system due to increased Russian military activity in the Far East.

A 33-year-old employee of Asahiyama Zoo in Hokkaido, previously arrested for burning his wife's body, has been re-arrested on suspicion of murder, confessing to strangling her with a rope.

Sapporo city in Japan's Hokkaido prefecture has initiated its first foreign bus driver training program, with Vietnam chosen as the initial country to supply trainees.

The Japan Fair Trade Commission has launched an investigation into nine railway construction companies suspected of bid-rigging for the Hokkaido Shinkansen track laying project.

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare plans to establish new offices for Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMAT) in Hokkaido and Fukuoka prefectures to enable faster medical support during large-scale disasters.

Japan is experiencing a widespread temperature increase, with some areas in Kochi Prefecture reaching summer-like highs above 30 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, Tohoku and Hokkaido are under storm alert due to a developing low-pressure system, with strong winds expected to cause potential damage and transportation disruptions.

A zoo worker in Hokkaido, Japan, has been arrested following the discovery of his wife's body in an animal crematorium on the premises.

Following the Finance Ministry's estimate suggesting the Hokkaido Shinkansen extension to Sapporo should be halted due to cost-effectiveness, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Kaneko stated efforts would be made to ensure its steady development, citing strong local expectations.

A man has confessed to abandoning his wife's body in an incinerator located at a zoo in Hokkaido, Japan.

A panel is questioning the financial viability of the Hokkaido Shinkansen bullet train project due to increasing expenses.

Four years have passed since a tourist boat sank off the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido, resulting in 20 deaths and 6 missing. A memorial service will be held in Shari Town, where the boat departed, attended by victims' families and related parties.

Japanese authorities are urging residents from Hokkaido to Chiba Prefecture to prepare for a potential major earthquake, following a magnitude 7.7 tremor that occurred on Monday.

A new research facility for advanced semiconductors, established by companies including Rapidus, is planned for Chitose, Hokkaido, with operations targeted to begin by fiscal year 2028.

A hunter in Hokkaido had his rifle returned after a court set aside the revocation of his license, which was initially revoked for potentially damaging nearby structures when he shot a brown bear in 2018.

Nine divers were reported missing near Benten Island off Soya Cape in Wakkanai, Hokkaido, prompting a rescue operation after they failed to return at their scheduled time.

Japan's Supreme Court has ruled that the revocation of a hunting gun license for a Hokkaido hunter who shot a bear was illegal, marking a significant precedent.

A lawsuit filed by the family of a junior high school student who committed suicide five years ago due to bullying in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, has been settled, with the city agreeing to pay 70 million yen to the bereaved family.

Photographer Elizabeth Sanjuan presents haunting images of Japan's northernmost island, Hokkaido, which is blanketed in snow for half the year. Her work emphasizes the monochrome beauty of the winter landscape.

Japan's Ministry is deploying acoustic devices in Hokkaido to prevent seals from stealing salmon and mackerel from fishing nets, aiming to protect the local fishing industry.

Police are investigating after a man was reportedly caught in an avalanche in the mountains of Kamifurano, Hokkaido, on the morning of March 10.

An avalanche occurred in a mountain in Kamifurano, Hokkaido, with reports of one person being caught, prompting police investigation.

A young girl was found unconscious and in critical condition near a parking lot in Asahikawa, Hokkaido. Police are investigating the incident as a possible hit-and-run.

Japan's Kanto region is experiencing its first spring storm, 'Haru Ichiban,' bringing temperatures similar to May, while Hokkaido is bracing for strong winds and high waves.

The president of a Hokkaido-based company that operates capsule toy stores nationwide has been referred to prosecutors by Tokyo police on suspicion of attempting to upskirt women in his Shibuya store.

The Sapporo District Court has sentenced 19-year-old Yuto Kawaguchi to life imprisonment for robbing and assaulting a male university student, leading to his death, in a park in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, two years ago.

Three individuals have been arrested in connection with a fraud case involving a wind power generation project in Hokkaido, Japan. They are accused of deceiving a Tokyo-based company out of 200 million yen by falsely claiming a foreign company was interested in acquiring the project rights.

Workers involved in the Hokkaido Shinkansen extension project were found to have manipulated measuring instruments during concrete quality tests to ensure results fell within standard values.

Heavy rainfall has been affecting Hokkaido and Aomori prefectures in Japan since Friday night, leading to Level 4 danger warnings in some areas. Authorities are urging strict caution against landslides and other related disasters.

Rikubetsu Town in Hokkaido, Japan, experienced record-breaking heavy rainfall, with approximately 90 millimeters falling in one hour according to radar analysis. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued an emergency warning for 'record short-term heavy rain,' urging residents to ensure their safety.

The first batch of saury for the season, landed at Kushiro Port in Hokkaido, arrived at Tokyo's Toyosu market and sold for a record price.

An abnormally large haul of bluefin tuna off the coast of Hakodate, Hokkaido, has created a boom that is paradoxically harming the livelihoods of Japanese fishermen due to market saturation and price drops.

The Rausu-dake mountain trail in Shiretoko, Hokkaido, a World Natural Heritage site, has reopened after being closed for approximately 11 months. The closure followed a fatal human-bear incident involving a brown bear last year.

Three defendants have been sentenced in the Sapporo District Court for a robbery-homicide case in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, where a male university student was robbed, assaulted, and killed two years ago.

A 23-year-old man has been sentenced to 27 years in prison by the Asahikawa District Court for the death of a high school student in Asahikawa, Hokkaido. The verdict was delivered today in the case involving the student's fall.

Approximately 180 million yen collected through 'Red Feather Community Chest' and other donations in Hokkaido is unaccounted for, with suspicions of embezzlement by the executive director.

Two people died in a house fire in Hakodate, Hokkaido, with one body found in the wreckage and another person confirmed dead after being transported to a hospital. Separately, one person also died in a fire in Honbetsu Town.

In the trial of a 23-year-old defendant accused of killing a 17-year-old high school girl by dropping her into a river in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, the defendant denied fabricating his account of the events leading up to her fall.

In the trial of a 23-year-old defendant accused of killing a 17-year-old high school girl in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, the defendant stated he left the victim outside a bridge railing and denied the murder charge.

A woman accused of murder in connection with a Hokkaido girl's fall from a bridge has pleaded not guilty, while another individual is already serving a sentence for conspiring in the murder.

A brown bear was shot and killed in Shibetsu, Hokkaido, near a ski jump area just 100 meters from a residential zone, after repeated sightings prompted an emergency hunt by local authorities.

A passenger car carrying three people collided with a street tree on a median strip in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, resulting in two fatalities and one serious injury.

A 33-year-old employee of Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, has been indicted for burning his wife's body in the zoo's incinerator. Police plan to re-arrest him on murder charges, as he has reportedly confessed to killing his wife.

A survey by experts revealed that fewer people took disaster preparedness actions, such as checking evacuation sites, after the second "Hokkaido-Sanriku Offshore Aftershock Warning" was issued following the April 20 earthquake, compared to the first warning last year.

A man picking wild vegetables in Shibetsu, Hokkaido, was attacked by a brown bear but managed to escape without injury after resisting, causing the bear to flee.

A 33-year-old employee of Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, has been arrested for allegedly incinerating his wife's body within the zoo premises, reportedly telling investigators he was dissatisfied with his marital life.

A former professor from Hokkaido University of Education has been released after being detained in China seven years ago on suspicion of espionage and subsequently sentenced to six years in prison by a local court.

Police in Hokkaido have requested an arrest warrant for an employee of Asahiyama Zoo on suspicion of body mutilation. The employee's wife is missing, and human remains were reportedly found in an incinerator at the zoo.

The historic Amemiya No. 21 steam locomotive, once used for timber transport, has commenced its seasonal operations in Engaru Town, Hokkaido, on April 29.

Following a recent earthquake and tsunami warning, many boats in Hokkaido's coastal areas performed 'offshore evacuation', but an NHK investigation revealed that only three out of 44 fishing cooperatives in the affected region have established rules for this procedure.

A commercial complex in Sendai, Miyagi, located in an area previously affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake tsunami, is confirming emergency communication systems and posting warnings for customers due to a 'Hokkaido-Sanriku Offshore Post-Earthquake Warning Information' being issued.

Four years after the Kazu I tour boat accident in Hokkaido's Shiretoko Peninsula, victims are being remembered. The 2022 incident resulted in 20 deaths and six people still missing.

Following a major earthquake off Sanriku on the evening of the 20th, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a 'Hokkaido-Sanriku Offshore Post-Earthquake Attention Information.' The warning indicates an increased possibility of a massive earthquake along the Chishima and Japan Trenches, urging 182 municipalities from Hokkaido to Chiba Prefecture to review their preparedness.

Japan has issued a "Hokkaido-Sanriku Offshore Post-Earthquake Warning Information" urging preparedness for potential aftershocks. This follows a recent magnitude 3 earthquake recorded in Iwate Prefecture.

New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido is experiencing significant congestion on its express train services, raising concerns amidst a travel boom.

Japan announced plans to designate an additional 17 airports and ports for defense purposes, including facilities in Hokkaido, Aichi, and Miyagi prefectures.

A draft horse farm in Hokkaido, Japan, is experiencing a baby boom, with numerous foals being born, as captured in a photo journal.

Japan's Supreme Court overturned a lower court's decision, ruling that the Hokkaido Public Safety Commission's revocation of a bear hunter's gun permit was illegal, allowing him to resume hunting after seven years.

The Hokkaido Shinkansen marks its 10th anniversary, but its planned extension to Sapporo is now significantly delayed. Five municipalities, including Sapporo, have already spent over 5.8 billion yen on station area development, with further costs expected due to the project's holdup.

Many rural banks are struggling, but for a small credit union in Hokkaido, the situation is extreme.

Kyoei Fire and Marine Insurance announced that a former agency owner in Hakodate, Hokkaido, defrauded customers of over 77 million yen by forging insurance policies. The company is now considering compensation for the victims.

Hokkaido police issue manga alerts as more foreign backcountry skiers get stranded - Mainichi Shimbun

Students from Okinawa visited Hokkaido to learn about four islands seized by Soviet forces over 80 years ago, which former Japanese residents are still unable to return to.

Japan's Supreme Court heard arguments in a case where a Hokkaido hunter is appealing the revocation of his hunting license after culling a bear, arguing it was a public service.

The Kanto region is expected to experience temperatures similar to May, while Hokkaido is warned to prepare for strong winds and rough weather, with caution advised for gales and high waves.