The Gifu Prefectural Government building, used as a filming location for the popular TV drama "Vivant," has become a major tourist attraction for fans of the series.

Japan announced plans to reuse soil from decontamination efforts in Fukushima in regional cities, specifically Miyagi and Saitama prefectures. This initiative aims to manage the vast quantities of soil collected after the nuclear disaster.

Kumamon, the public relations mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, has resumed his activities after taking a break since the Kumamoto earthquake.

A foreign tourist sustained injuries during a bear attack in Japan's Aomori Prefecture.

The Mainichi News Quiz for August 22 tests knowledge about events in Japan, specifically focusing on what quake-hit Kumamoto Prefecture residents are urged not to do.

Dome-like 'instant houses' are being erected in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, to provide shelter for victims affected by a recent earthquake in the region.

Hotels and ryokans in six southwestern Japanese prefectures, excluding Kumamoto, reported around 174,000 cancellations following the recent earthquake.

Minimum wages have increased in at least 17 prefectures across Japan, surpassing central government recommendations, a trend attributed to the postponement of the national goal to raise the average minimum wage to ¥1,500 this decade.

The Perseid meteor shower reached its peak in August, offering clear viewing opportunities in areas like Ojiya, Niigata Prefecture, Japan.

Insurance claims and inquiries related to the Kumamoto earthquake have surpassed 40,000, encompassing the Kumamoto prefecture and six other prefectures in Kyushu.

A ferry anchored at Yatsushiro port in Kumamoto prefecture is providing free meals, bathing, medical services, and a children's play area to residents affected by the recent earthquake.

Those killed included a man in his 60s or 70s found floating in a flooded road and a 66-year-old woman stuck in her submerged car, the Chiba Prefecture Disaster Management Office said. The post Thousands stranded as heavy rain kills at least four in Japan appeared first on Vanguard News.

The prefecture in Lyon banned a rally in support of an anti-immigration initiative, citing risks of public disorder due to a planned counter-rally by anti-fascist and anti-racist organizations.

Severe tropical storm Chan-hom is expected to make landfall near Tokyo, with Tokyo Electric Power Company reporting approximately 640 power outages in Ibaraki Prefecture.

The 15th tropical storm of the season is forecast to make landfall in Ibaraki and Fukushima prefectures, bringing strong winds and heavy rain as it heads towards the Sea of Japan.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued an emergency weather warning for Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, after radar analysis indicated approximately 100 millimeters of intense rainfall within one hour, posing a significant disaster risk.

Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, participated in a Boy Scout camp in Hiroshima Prefecture, where he experienced making tonjiru (pork soup) for breakfast and crafting wooden coasters.

An earthquake with a seismic intensity of 3 was observed in northern Ibaraki Prefecture around 3:41 AM today, with no concerns of a tsunami.

Kumamoto Prefecture announced the names and ages of three individuals who died in the recent earthquake.

A brush fire that broke out in a bamboo grove in Uki City, Kumamoto Prefecture, on August 6 was largely extinguished approximately 13 hours later on August 7. Firefighters reported that the extinguishing efforts were hampered by insufficient water pressure from fire hydrants, possibly due to earthquake damage.

Following the collapse of a Nippon Paper factory chimney in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, which killed nine people during an earthquake, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has issued a notice requesting reports on chimney management from all private power generation operators.

Japanese authorities have issued evacuation orders for over 5,000 residents in Kagoshima prefecture as Typhoon Dolphin approaches, moving towards the East China Sea.

Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan, recently hit by a major earthquake, is bracing for dangerous heat and potential impacts from Typhoon No. 13, urging residents to take heatstroke precautions.

One year after a wildfire burned 11,000 hectares in the agricultural region of Corbières in southern Aude, France, residents are working to restore their lands. They are awaiting a major plan to be presented by the prefecture.

A seven-vehicle accident involving cars and trucks occurred on the Chuo Expressway in Uenohara City, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, injuring seven people who were transported to the hospital.

A house fire in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, fully engulfed a two-story residence and spread to two nearby homes, with four family members who lived in the destroyed house currently unaccounted for.

France's Council of State has upheld a reform concerning the psychiatric infirmary of the Paris police prefecture, confirming the need to ensure the legal maximum stay of 48 hours is respected.

Nippon Paper Industries announced that its president and other officials will hold a press conference tomorrow, the first since the earthquake on the 28th of last month, which caused a factory chimney to collapse in Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture, resulting in 9 deaths.

Cases of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD), primarily affecting children, have decreased from the previous week but remain high, with 28 prefectures in Japan exceeding alert levels.

A DMAT doctor dispatched to Kumamoto Prefecture following the recent earthquake highlighted the critical need for heatstroke prevention, noting ongoing water outages and daily transfers of dialysis patients. He stressed that heat countermeasures are especially vital compared to a previous earthquake in the region.

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi visited the earthquake-stricken Kumamoto Prefecture in southern Japan, where cleanup operations are underway in intense heat, with over 46,000 households still without water and thousands in emergency shelters.

Two women who died in an explosion at an Aeon shopping center in Japan's Kumamoto prefecture following a powerful earthquake were reportedly instructed by their employer to return inside to secure sales proceeds.

Two passenger cars collided head-on in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, resulting in one fatality, two critically injured individuals, and five others, including two children, sustaining injuries. Police are investigating the cause of the accident.

An explosion at an apartment building in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, is under investigation after it was revealed that residents had reported a gas odor to the gas company approximately five and a half hours before the incident, with workers having responded to the call.

A Vietnamese man in his 20s was found unconscious in the sea at a beach in Kannonji City, Kagawa Prefecture, and later died. Police are investigating the incident, suspecting drowning while swimming.

Osaki City in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, issued an evacuation order for 1031 residents across 537 households in the Onikobe, Nakayamahigashi, and Nakayamahigashi districts due to a level 4 landslide warning. Two evacuation centers have been opened.

Police reported that multiple people were injured after an explosion was heard at an apartment building in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, around 6:30 AM on the 1st. The exact conditions of the injured and the circumstances are under investigation.

Thousands of people who were evacuated due to forest fires in Gironde, France, have been given permission by the prefecture to return to their homes.

Nippon Paper Industries has announced that nine people, including six of its employees and three from partner companies, died at its Yatsushiro factory in Kumamoto Prefecture. The deaths occurred after a chimney collapsed during an earthquake.

A 'toilet car' dispatched from Noto Town, which was affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake, arrived in Hikawa Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, to support areas severely damaged by the recent earthquake.

The rural accommodation finds decadence in the northern prefecture's natural resources.

The prefecture's foreign residents checked in with neighbors, translated information and warnings, and helped to secure emergency supplies after the 7.1 magnitude earthquake.

Eastern and Western Japan are experiencing dangerous heat with temperatures exceeding 38 degrees Celsius, while parts of Tohoku and Niigata Prefecture face heavy rains and landslide warnings.

Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox expressed concern after a powerful earthquake struck his hometown of Kumamoto, Japan. Kumamoto prefecture was hit by a 6.8-magnitude earthquake on Tuesday afternoon, causing significant damage across the region. Aeon Mall Kumamoto in Kumamoto City, the prefecture's largest city, suffered a partial collapse following an explosion believed to have been triggered by the quake. A smokestack at Japan Paper also collapsed, leaving employees trapped, while sec

A weather observatory issued an emergency warning after a tornado was sighted in western Aichi Prefecture, Japan, with further sudden gusts of wind expected in both western and eastern parts of the prefecture.

One and a half years after a major road collapse in Yashio, Saitama, caused by corroded sewer pipes, 16 municipalities (76%) in the prefecture report difficulties in completing necessary repair work by the national deadline.

The Fukuoka High Court has ordered the state and Kumamoto Prefecture to pay compensation to the family of a man wrongly convicted in the 41-year-old Matsubashi Incident, acknowledging their responsibility.

A house fire in Imari, Saga Prefecture, Japan, resulted in four people, including two children, being hospitalized in an unconscious state.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.2 occurred in Akune, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, with a seismic intensity of 3. There is no risk of a tsunami.

Level 4 heavy rain and landslide warnings have been issued for Nagaoka, Kashiwazaki, Kariwa Village, and Murakami in Niigata Prefecture. Residents are urged to exercise extreme caution due to the risk of flooding and landslides.

Southern Tohoku and Niigata prefectures in Japan are under alert for heavy to very heavy rain, with risks of landslides and flooding, while eastern and western Japan are bracing for dangerous temperatures exceeding 38 degrees Celsius.

Prosecutors have indicted a 16-year-old boy from Kawasaki, who was a high school student at the time of the incident, on charges including robbery and murder. He is accused of being an accomplice in a robbery that resulted in the deaths and injuries of three family members at a home in Kamimikawa Town, Tochigi Prefecture.

Iyo Bank Holdings, which owns Iyo Bank, and Ehime Bank, both regional banks in Ehime Prefecture, Japan, are in the final stages of negotiations for a business merger. The integration aims to strengthen regional financial services amidst increasing competition for deposits and clients due to population decline.

The first public housing units for victims of the Noto Peninsula earthquake have been completed in Nanao, Ishikawa Prefecture, with a ceremony marking the occasion. This provides crucial shelter for those displaced by the disaster.

A company employee in his 50s has been arrested for allegedly capturing a rare Glehnia fritillary butterfly (Kohyomonmodoki) in the Norikura Highlands of Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture.

Fuel prices surged on Tuesday, with diesel once again exceeding €2 per liter and unleaded gasoline surpassing €2 in 14 prefectures. Consumers are facing higher costs at the pump.

Several public transport lines in the Paris region, including RER A and metro lines, are experiencing disruptions around the Champs-Élysées due to security measures requested by the police prefecture.

Following an agreement between Shizuoka Prefecture and JR Tokai for the Chuo Shinkansen maglev line construction, Transport Minister Kaneko plans to meet JR Tokai President Niwa on the 24th to confirm the start and completion dates.

A 60-year-old couple has been confirmed dead after their home collapsed due to record heavy rainfall in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, which occurred in the early hours of July 18.

In the ongoing investigation into the murder of a patient by contaminating an IV drip at a hospital in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture, the syringe believed to have been used has not been found. Police are investigating the possibility that the syringe was removed from the scene.

The prefecture of Shizuoka and JR Tokai have signed a pact to commence construction of the maglev line, with the Shizuoka section expected to take over 10 years to complete.

A landslide in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture, caused a house to collapse, leading to a search for a missing person. One woman was later found at the site.

A 3-year-old girl was hit by a passenger car and is in critical condition near the entrance of a commercial facility's parking lot in Tsubame City, Niigata Prefecture. Police have arrested the 47-year-old company employee who was driving the car and are investigating the incident.

A former employee arrested for allegedly mixing excrement into a patient's IV drip and causing their death at a hospital in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, voluntarily resigned immediately after being informed that police were investigating the patient's death.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued an immediate forecast for linear rainbands in southern Tochigi and Gunma prefectures, warning of record-breaking heavy rainfall and imminent disaster risks in areas like Ota, Gunma.

A magnitude 3 earthquake was observed in Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures in Japan at approximately 6:49 AM on the 17th. There is no concern for a tsunami from this earthquake.

Scientists report that increasingly hot summers across Japan are directly contributing to more frequent and intense precipitation events, as evidenced by recent severe flooding in Chiba Prefecture.

A powerful typhoon is bearing down on Japan’s Okinawa prefecture, leading to widespread flight cancellations and prompting local authorities to issue safety warnings.

Many foreign residents in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture reportedly experienced difficulties obtaining crucial information in the aftermath of last month's major earthquake.

Traditional Japanese hand fans, known as Uchiwa, made in Kumamoto Prefecture and coated with fermented persimmon tannin, are gaining international attention for their centuries-old craftsmanship.

A fire broke out on a vessel under construction in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, resulting in one fatality and nine injuries.

A fourth-grade student in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, discovered rare bamboo blossoms in a mountainous area in late July. This unusual finding highlights a natural phenomenon that is seldom observed.

A 61-year-old doctor, Hitoshi Kuwahara, born and raised in Uki, Kumamoto, has been providing medical support to evacuees in the earthquake-hit prefecture for around three decades.

Three high school students were honored for jointly rescuing three elementary school children from a pond in Nakama, Fukuoka Prefecture.

Torrential rains in Japan's Chiba Prefecture, which caused significant damage and flooding, have led to calls for rethinking flood preparedness. Many owners of vehicles flooded during the August 13-14 downpour were left without insurance coverage.

Nanmoku, Japan's most aging municipality, is turning to its sister city in Peru to address a severe worker shortage and reverse its declining population. The mountain village in Gunma prefecture faces an existential threat due to demographic challenges.

Two firms are collaborating with the city and prefecture of Akita to establish an AI data center, aiming to make it Japan's largest. The project seeks to attract AI-related businesses and human resources to the region.

Overnight stays by foreign guests in Japan have surpassed pre-pandemic levels in 39 prefectures, reaching an estimated 179.92 million in 2025, a 55.6% increase from 2019, according to a Japan Tourism Agency survey.

Heavy rainfall on Thursday led to widespread flooding across Chiba Prefecture, Japan, prompting the Japanese Meteorological Agency to issue the highest warning level for 18 cities and one municipality.

Takaichi will remain in Japan to focus on the response to a powerful earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture last month, canceling planned foreign trips this summer.

Hundreds of people have been trapped after a landslide occurred in Japan's Nagano Prefecture, following intense rainfall in the central region of the country.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a short-term forecast, indicating a high possibility of a linear rainband forming in the Chūetsu region of Niigata Prefecture within the next three hours.

In Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture, a major center for mackerel processing, approximately 20% of seafood processors have gone bankrupt or ceased operations due to soaring prices of imported Norwegian mackerel, which constitutes most of their raw material.

Indrek Aru, head of the Police and Border Guard Board's North Prefecture border guard bureau, reported that 99 individuals believed to have no legal basis for staying in Estonia were caught in the past two weeks, leading to disputes in detention facilities.

Weather warnings for record-breaking short-term heavy rainfall have been issued for Nagano Prefecture in Japan and for significant rain in Norrbotten, Sweden. Both regions are bracing for severe weather conditions.

Ten days after an earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture, over 36,000 households continue to experience water outages, with full restoration of water pipes not expected until the end of the month.

A magnitude 4 earthquake occurred in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, at approximately 7:49 PM local time, with no tsunami warning issued.

A fire in a bamboo grove in Uki City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, is proving difficult to extinguish due to insufficient water pressure from hydrants, possibly caused by an earthquake.

Honda announced that its automobile production has been impacted primarily due to damage sustained by a group company's auto parts manufacturer in Uki City, Kumamoto Prefecture, following an earthquake. The company will decide on resuming production based on the parts manufacturer's recovery status.

Following a large explosion at Aeon Mall Kumamoto in Kashima Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and other authorities investigated the site. They concluded that an LP gas explosion from the facility's supply is highly probable, as LP gas was used for cooking and water heating in restaurants.

Nippon Paper is scheduled to hold its first press conference since a July 28 earthquake caused a factory chimney to collapse in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, resulting in nine fatalities.

Kumamoto Prefecture accepts disaster victims at a hotel secured as an evacuation site

A 91-year-old man in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, died after being trapped in his home following an earthquake. His daughter expressed profound grief, stating she felt 'as if her heart had frozen.'

A baby girl born immediately after a strong earthquake in Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture, has been safely discharged from the clinic with her mother and is growing well.

Following the major earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan's National Tax Agency has extended tax filing and payment deadlines for affected residents and businesses. Additionally, Prime Minister Takaichi has instructed relevant ministers to ensure the complete resolution of water outages by the end of the month.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited Kumamoto prefecture, which was struck by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake, to assess recovery efforts that are being hampered by soaring temperatures.

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi visited earthquake-affected areas in Kumamoto Prefecture, inspecting the damage, meeting with evacuees, and proposing a plan for 'secondary evacuation' utilizing hotels and inns.

Western Japan is experiencing a significant temperature rise, with forecasts predicting extreme heat of 40 degrees Celsius in Kyushu, including Kumamoto, Saga, Fukuoka, and Oita prefectures. Authorities are urging residents to take thorough precautions against heatstroke.

A woman in her 30s was found collapsed and later died near the Yodo no Domon tourist spot in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, after being hit by falling rocks from the cave, with police investigating the circumstances.

A two-year-old boy who went missing in Yakage Town, Okayama Prefecture, while visiting his grandmother's house, has been found safe. Police and firefighters had been conducting a search for the child in the mountains near his grandmother's home.

Yokote City in Akita Prefecture, Japan, issued an evacuation order for 1,479 residents across 686 households due to heavy rain and the risk of sediment disasters. Two evacuation centers have been opened in response to Level 4 warnings.

A second-year middle school student was swept away while playing in the Yahagi River in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, and was transported to the hospital unconscious.

A disaster intermediate support organization in Kumamoto Prefecture is coordinating aid efforts to prevent gaps in assistance, particularly due to ongoing water outages. The organization, established after an earthquake 10 years ago, connects aid providers with disaster victims to ensure efficient recovery.

The Italian Ambassador to Japan, Mario Vattani, traveled to Fukuoka to express Italy's solidarity following a violent 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck the southern island of Kyushu, particularly affecting the Kumamoto prefecture.

The prefect of Loire-Atlantique, France, has appealed to employers to be more flexible in releasing volunteer firefighters for operational duties, citing a shortage of personnel. The prefecture identified 2,944 employers with at least one volunteer firefighter.

The recent earthquake continues to impact major manufacturers in Kumamoto Prefecture and other parts of Kyushu, leading to ongoing factory shutdowns and operational disruptions.

Hitachi and Toshiba have marked the shipment of a new N700ST high-speed train to Taiwan. The train, featuring orange and black lines on a white body, was displayed at a ceremony in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.

Bandai Town in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, issued an evacuation order for three districts, affecting 398 households and 1068 people, due to potential dangers. The order is a Level 4 alert, urging residents to evacuate immediately.

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, causing a house collapse in Uki City where four family members are missing. Experts warn of further strong tremors as the quake hit a long-feared high-risk fault zone.

Following the establishment of a law related to the 'sub-capital' concept, which designates alternative capital functions during large-scale disasters, Hiroshima Governor Yoko expressed his intention to seek designation for the prefecture.

An unnamed man in Paris is suspected of injuring three women with 'two cold weapons' on Monday, July 27. He was arrested shortly after the attack, according to the Paris Police Prefecture.

Following the registration of Nara Prefecture's Asuka-Fujiwara archaeological sites as a World Cultural Heritage, officials in Asuka Village celebrated by displaying banners at the local government office.

Maebashi, the capital of Gunma prefecture, is quietly transforming into one of Japan's most creative cities, combining contemporary art and architecture with efforts to revitalize its city center.

A 56-year-old father died after he and his child, along with another man, were swept away by waves while swimming at a beach in Kashima, Ibaraki Prefecture. The child and the other man sustained minor injuries.

On the 25th, the maximum temperature exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in Tokai and Yamanashi Prefecture, marking the fifth consecutive day of "extreme heat" in Japan and setting a new record. Dangerous heat is expected to continue on the 26th in Tokai, Kinki, Shikoku, and Kyushu, so please continue to take thorough measures against heatstroke.

Following the enactment of legislation related to the 'sub-capital' concept, Aichi Prefecture Governor and Nagoya City Mayor jointly announced their formal intention for Aichi to be designated as a 'sub-capital' to serve as an alternative to the main capital during large-scale disasters.

A house fire in Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, Japan, resulted in two fatalities, with a couple in their 60s and 70s reported missing from the residence.

A woman driving in Akita Prefecture, Japan, sustained an ear injury and found a hole in her car window, possibly from a hunting rifle bullet. Police are investigating the incident, which occurred near where a local hunting association was culling monkeys.

Princess Kiko of Akishino visited Wajima City in Ishikawa Prefecture, an area severely affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake, to encourage nurses and staff at a mass health check-up venue for residents.

A house fire broke out in Yachimata, Chiba Prefecture, shortly after midnight on the 22nd. Although the fire was extinguished in about 40 minutes, four bodies were discovered inside the residence.

Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Suzuki, visited a veterinary university in Kanagawa Prefecture to discuss with students measures to address the shortage of veterinarians for livestock.

An 80-year-old man was found collapsed at his home in Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture, on the evening of the 20th and was later confirmed dead after being transported to the hospital. Heatstroke is suspected as the cause of death.

Japan is experiencing a widespread temperature increase, with Saitama prefecture expecting dangerous highs of 40 degrees Celsius, prompting severe warnings for heatstroke.

Multiple reports have been received by fire departments regarding black smoke visible at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Asaka military base, spanning Saitama and Tokyo prefectures. Emergency services are on site, but details remain unclear.

A fishing boat caught fire off the coast of Miura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. All passengers and crew were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported, though the boat continues to burn.

An evacuation advisory has been issued for 1,164 households and 2,482 people in the Kaniita district of Sotogahama Town, Aomori Prefecture, as the Kaniita River reached evacuation alert levels.

Shizuoka Prefecture and JR Tokai have signed an environmental conservation agreement, paving the way for the start of construction on the Chuo Shinkansen line within Shizuoka, resolving a long-standing deadlock.

Officials in Japan's Fukuoka prefecture are facing scrutiny over expensive overseas 'research trips' to cities like Paris and London, including millions of yen in hotel upgrades, amid public frustration.

Record-breaking heavy rains in Tochigi and Gunma prefectures have led to widespread flooding, landslides, and evacuation orders for tens of thousands of residents. Rivers like the Kiryu and Ishida have reached dangerous levels, prompting emergency safety measures and warnings.

Several local governments in Hiroshima Prefecture, including Higashihiroshima City, are lowering the required donation amounts for rice as a Furusato Nozei return gift. This decision comes amidst falling rice prices and an unusual surplus of rice stock, prompting farmers to expedite sales.

The Kumagaya Local Meteorological Observatory has issued Level 4 heavy rain and landslide warnings for Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture, indicating a very high risk of flooding, river overflow, and mudslides, urging strict vigilance.

United Airlines announced plans to introduce direct flight services connecting San Francisco with Japan’s Okinawa prefecture and Osaka, expanding its Asian route network.

A couple owning several private beaches in La Ciotat, near Marseille, was ordered by the administrative court to remove their deckchairs within two days following a dispute with the Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture.

Japan's Tottori Prefecture is intensifying its efforts to promote tourism related to the popular drama 'Vivant'. The initiative encourages visitors to explore filming locations and engage with the show's settings.

High school students in Yanagawa, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, have constructed a 3.5-meter-tall cardboard model of a Gundam for their upcoming school festival.

Racist, antisemitic, and sexist tags were discovered at a school in Le Havre, prompting the prefecture to denounce the acts as 'unacceptable' and damaging to the fundamental values of the Republic.

Torrential rain caused significant flooding in Ichihara, Chiba Prefecture, with security camera footage showing residential streets engulfed by water and vehicles stranded.

Teams of teachers, drawing on past disaster experiences, are assisting schools in Japan's Kumamoto prefecture to return to normal operations following an earthquake.

Public and private sector delegates from India's Uttar Pradesh and Japan's Yamanashi Prefecture met to strengthen cooperation in hydrogen technology and human resources.

Unleaded gasoline prices have exceeded 2 euros per liter in 30 prefectures across Greece, forcing August travelers to pay significantly more at the pump due to the international oil rally.

Kumamon, the popular mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, visited a school being used as a temporary shelter to spread cheer among students and evacuees affected by the recent earthquake.

Estonian police have detained 109 foreign nationals since July 21, with more than 50 claiming to be unaccompanied minors, according to the head of the Northern Prefecture's border guard bureau.

Kuniko Asai, an 83-year-old VTuber born in Manchuria during World War II, is sharing her experiences and those of others who returned to Japan from the region. She now lives in Ishikawa Prefecture.

The tourism industry in Kumamoto Prefecture has been severely impacted by a recent earthquake, with the prefectural government estimating losses of approximately ¥6 billion.

Japan will apply a reconstruction aid law to all of Kumamoto Prefecture, making families whose homes were destroyed or partially damaged eligible for up to ¥3 million in aid for housing construction, repair, and rent.

Two people died in separate water accidents that occurred in the sea and a river in Aichi Prefecture on August 8th.

Two men drowned at a beach in Minamiboso, Chiba Prefecture, on the morning of August 8, with one man in his 60s transported to the hospital unconscious.

Kumamoto Prefecture, still recovering from a major earthquake, is expected to experience intense heat again on the 8th, with residents advised to take heatstroke precautions. Strong winds from Typhoon No. 13 are also a concern.

A tax official in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, has been dismissed for disciplinary reasons after receiving approximately 150 million yen from an elderly woman he met during a tax investigation. He then gambled the money on boat races and evaded taxes.

As of August 7, 7:30 AM, the death toll from the Kumamoto earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture, including suspected disaster-related deaths, has reached 38, with 6,794 people still evacuated to shelters.

Kumamoto Prefecture, which suffered significant damage from a recent earthquake, is expected to continue experiencing intense heat on the 7th, with residents advised to take heatstroke precautions. Additionally, strong winds are anticipated due to the influence of Typhoon No. 13.

A video shows the tense situation in an operating room at Kumamoto General Hospital in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, during an earthquake, with the hospital resuming normal operations on the 5th after a temporary suspension of outpatient services.

An earthquake with a seismic intensity of Shindo 4 was observed in Kumamoto, Nagasaki, and Kagoshima prefectures around 7:59 AM on the 6th, with no tsunami warning issued.

Kitadaito Village in Okinawa Prefecture issued an evacuation order for its entire population due to the approaching Typhoon No. 13, urging residents in dangerous areas and those feeling anxious to seek shelter.

L’I3P reçoit des personnes amenées par les services de police dans le cadre d’une garde à vue ou en raison d’un trouble avéré à l’ordre public pour évaluer la nécessité d’une hospitalisation…

Chip manufacturing plants in Japan's Kumamoto prefecture have begun restarting operations, showing a quick recovery after an earthquake caused relatively limited damage.

River embankments in Kumamoto Prefecture have suffered damage, including subsidence and cracks, due to recent earthquakes. With Typhoon No. 13 expected to bring rain from September 6th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is rushing emergency repairs and urging increased vigilance against rising river levels.

A court case has begun in Japan concerning the Kamisu mayoral election in Ibaraki Prefecture, where votes marked 'Manjuya' were deemed invalid, leading to a challenge by the mayor whose election was nullified.

The Japan Meteorological Agency held a press conference one week after a magnitude 7 earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture, providing updates on seismic activity and forecasts for heat and rain.

An earthquake with a seismic intensity of 4 was reported in Uki, Kumamoto, and an intensity of 3 in parts of Kumamoto and Nagasaki prefectures. There is no concern for a tsunami following the tremors.

A male high school student drowned while swimming in the sea in Murakami, Niigata Prefecture, and was confirmed dead after being transported to a hospital.

Kumamoto Prefecture experienced record-breaking temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, exacerbating the challenges faced by residents already displaced by a recent earthquake.

Kumamoto Prefecture continues to experience seismic activity, including a magnitude 7 earthquake that led to one fatality, while also bracing for extreme heat with temperatures forecast to reach 40 degrees Celsius. Local authorities are advising residents to limit outdoor activities and are preparing secondary evacuation shelters in hotels.

Princess Aiko of Japan observed the traditional Okihiki event at the Ise Grand Shrines in Mie Prefecture, a ritual in preparation for the Shikinen Sengu (periodic rebuilding) of the shrines. Her participation marks a significant cultural event.

Princess Aiko visited the Toba Aquarium in Mie Prefecture, where she observed dugongs and sea otters. She also toured facilities involved in processing timber for the Shikinen Sengu, the periodic rebuilding of the Ise Grand Shrine.

A man believed to be in his 60s or 70s drowned in the Kiso River in Yatomi City, Aichi Prefecture, on the afternoon of August 1st. Police are investigating the circumstances of the incident.

Ukedo Beach in Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture, has reopened to the public for the first time in 16 years, following its closure due to the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident.

Firefighters in Rethymno, Crete, are continuing their battle against rekindled wildfires in the southern part of the prefecture, prompting new evacuation orders for the villages of Gefyra and Limni Preveli. While the village of Kerames is not currently at risk, the situation remains challenging.

On July 30, approximately 30 buildings, including homes and warehouses in Sukagawa, Fukushima Prefecture, sustained damage such as blown-off roofs, with the meteorological observatory investigating the incident as likely caused by a sudden gust of wind.

Two high school students, aged 16 and 17, have been indicted for robbery and murder in connection with an incident in Tochigi Prefecture where three family members were attacked, bringing the total number of indicted suspects to four.

Kaneyama Town in Fukushima Prefecture issued an evacuation order for 162 households and 316 residents in specific districts, urging the elderly and disabled to evacuate due to heightened risk of landslides.

The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck south-eastern Japan on Tuesday has risen to 34, authorities announced today, with thousands of residents now also facing sweltering heat. The disaster management office in Kumamoto prefecture, where the earthquake struck, said seven more bodies had been pulled from the rubble of a shopping centre in […] The post At least 34 dead in Japan earthquake as thousands of households left without power appeared first on ProtoThema English.

The Vaslui Prefecture has announced the termination of its contract with a company responsible for destroying driving licenses, after the documents were discovered in a landfill in the Republic of Moldova.

Authorities are investigating reports from passersby that Mount Mayuyama in Shimabara, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, is collapsing. The specific situation remains unclear.

Police in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, have arrested a man in his 50s, a delivery driver, on suspicion of stealing a speed enforcement device belonging to the Saitama Prefectural Police in June, though the suspect denies the charges.

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported approximately 100 millimeters of intense rainfall per hour near Ina, Nagano Prefecture, warning of imminent disaster and urging safety precautions.

Punch, a baby monkey at a zoo in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, known for using a plush toy as a mother substitute, celebrated its first birthday on the 26th, drawing many fans to the zoo.

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported approximately 100 millimeters of intense rainfall per hour in Nyuzen Town, Toyama Prefecture, by 2:30 AM, issuing a special warning for record short-term heavy rain due to the imminent danger of disaster.

A man in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, has been re-arrested on suspicion of coercing a cohabiting woman to sew her own lips. Police found additional needle and thread marks on the woman's lips, suggesting a pattern of abuse, though the suspect denies the allegations.

Fuefuki City in Japan's Yamanashi Prefecture experienced record-breaking heavy rainfall, with approximately 110 millimeters falling in one hour, prompting a disaster warning from the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Iyogin Holdings, the parent company of Iyo Bank, and Ehime Bank, both based in Ehime Prefecture, Japan, have announced a basic agreement to proceed with discussions towards a business integration, citing reasons such as population decline and increased competition.

Japan is bracing for another day of dangerous heat, with temperatures expected to approach 40 degrees Celsius in cities like Nagoya and Kyoto. Shizuoka prefecture already recorded 41.1 degrees Celsius, prompting warnings for severe heatstroke precautions.

Softbank announced it will begin domestic demonstration experiments of communication services using unmanned aircraft, or "flying base stations," from mid-August. The trials, which include Kochi Prefecture as a candidate site, aim to prepare for scenarios where mobile base stations are rendered unusable by disasters like the Nankai Trough earthquake.

A house fire in Oharu, Aichi Prefecture, on the evening of the 22nd resulted in the discovery of two bodies. An elderly couple residing in the house is unaccounted for, and police are working to identify the remains.

Following a major earthquake near the Philippines in June, which prompted tsunami warnings in Japan, the Cabinet Office and other agencies have issued new guidance to prefectures. The notification advises against issuing broad evacuation orders for tsunami warnings, citing potential burdens on the elderly and a risk of undermining public trust in evacuation information.

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.

Cases of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) have increased 1.3 times from the previous week, reaching alert levels in 35 prefectures across Japan. Health experts warn of potential further increases as warmer weather approaches, particularly in northern regions.

Four months after a fatal crash on the Shin-Meishin Expressway in Mie Prefecture, Japan, which killed six people due to a truck driver distracted by a smartphone, the family of one victim spoke out, expressing their grief and anger.

A fourth-grade boy from Gunma Prefecture drowned after being swept offshore at a beach in Kurobe City, Toyama Prefecture, on the evening of the 19th.

In the case of two female bodies, believed to be a 44-year-old woman and her 20-year-old daughter from Mie Prefecture, found by a river in Nara City, the arrested company employee (the woman's partner) was with them the day before they went missing. Police are investigating the details, as the suspect had previously told them he also couldn't contact the woman.

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.

One of the victims in the Nara body abandonment case has been identified as a 44-year-old woman from Mie Prefecture. The arrested company employee has admitted to transporting the body in his own car.

The Sanyo Shinkansen line between Kokura and Hakata in Fukuoka Prefecture has been suspended from its first train service in both directions due to delays in maintenance work, with operations expected to resume around 6:30 AM.

A former employee has been arrested in connection with a murder and arson case in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture. Investigators believe the suspect committed the crimes on the day he was instructed by the company owner to collect unpaid construction fees, which the former employee is suspected of having embezzled, suggesting the motive was to prevent discovery.

Matsudo City in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, has issued an evacuation order for some areas after a Level 4 heavy rain warning was announced, urging residents in dangerous locations to evacuate immediately.