Niigata opens drive-thru coronavirus test clinic amid growing demand
A public health center in the city of Niigata has launched one of Japan's first drive-thru clinics to test for COVID-19 amid growing demand for tests of the deadly virus. The drive-thru clinic, which was launched this month and comes after South Korea won plaudits ...
Japanese recognized as world's oldest living man dies at 112
Chitetsu Watanabe, a 112-year-old who was recognized by Guinness World Records earlier this month as the world's oldest living man, died Sunday at the nursing home where he resided, his family said. Watanabe, who was born on March 5, 1907, died Sunday night at the ...
112-year-old Japanese recognized as world's oldest living man
A 112-year-old Japanese who has been recognized as the world's oldest living man cited "laughter" Wednesday as the secret to his longevity. Chitetsu Watanabe, who was born on March 5, 1907, pumped his fist as he was handed a certificate by a Guinness World Records ...
Record-low snowfall puts Niigata city's plan to cool Tokyo Olympic venues in jeopardy
A city in Niigata Prefecture, known for its abundant snowfall every year, was planning to send snow to soccer stadiums and other facilities to be used at this year's Tokyo Olympic Games to tackle the heat. But amid record low snowfall this season, the city ...
A month of ice and fire: Japan's best winter festivals
Winter this year may have been relatively warm, but February brings a host of festive events across the country for snow-lovers and heat-seekers alike.
Wipe out: Japan's ski slopes suffering worst winter in decades
Japan's ski resorts are suffering through one of the worst snow seasons on record, disappointing locals and foreign tourists, and jeopardizing the country's budding reputation as an international ski destination. In Hokkaido to the north, where resorts like Niseko are known for reliable, fresh powder, ...
Japan's local governments struggling with debt due to public investment and disasters
Debts incurred from past public investment and reconstruction work after disasters are placing heavy financial burdens on local governments.
Sado police find two heads and five bodies on suspected North Korean boat
The heads of two people as well as five bodies believed to be of North Koreans are found in a boat that washed ashore on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture.
Japan expands swine fever vaccinations to seven more prefectures
The government said Friday it will expand vaccinations of pigs against hog cholera to cover Tokyo and seven prefectures adjacent to the 12 prefectures with confirmed cases of the deadly virus. The vaccinations may start later this month in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Niigata, Kyoto and Nara, ...
Niigata student remotely altered grades using ID stolen from teacher's computer
A 15-year-old junior high school student in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture, who hacked into a school server to alter his grades has admitted to stealing an ID and password needed to access the server from a computer he borrowed from his teacher, the school's principal ...
Man appeals life sentence over murder of 7-year-old girl in Niigata
A man filed an appeal Wednesday after he was handed a life sentence earlier this month for the 2018 murder of a 7-year-old girl in the city of Niigata, his lawyer said. The defense team for Haruka Kobayashi, 25, had requested a sentence with a ...
Niigata man gets life for driving car into girl, 7, then molesting and strangling her
The Niigata District Court on Wednesday sentenced a 25-year-old man to life in prison for the sexual assault and murder of a 7-year-old schoolgirl last year. According to the ruling, Haruka Kobayashi intentionally hit the second-grader with his car while she was on her way ...
