National Jul 9, 2020
Kyushu rain deals new blow to hot springs reeling from coronavirus
Many inns have been forced to suspend their businesses again after two months of closure under the nationwide state of emergency in April and May.
National Jul 7, 2020
At least 53 dead as torrential rains and floodwaters hit Kyushu
Rescuers race against the clock to find survivors as heavy rains continue to submerge region.
National / Crime & Legal Jun 8, 2020
Oita man held on suspicion of murdering colleague with forklift load
Investigators are looking into possible difficulties between the two, the police said.
National Apr 16, 2020
Akie Abe criticized for taking group tour in Oita during pandemic
by Satoshi Sugiyama
Her reported activity took place a day after her husband sounded the alarm over the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases.
National Jan 29, 2020
Support efforts begin across Japan to help coronavirus-hit Wuhan
People from around Japan have begun offering support to the residents that remain in locked-down Wuhan, a major Chinese city at the center of a coronavirus outbreak. Inagora Inc., an e-commerce operator based in Tokyo, launched a campaign Monday to ship face masks, free of ...
Food & Drink | Women of Taste Jan 11, 2020
Marie-Josee Laforest: Harvesting the rewards of organic permaculture
by Joan Bailey
From five holy basil seeds, an oregano plant, a few stems of orange mint, six fig tree cuttings and a handful of butterfly pea seeds, Marie-Josee Laforest's sprouts have grown to become a 200-hectare organic permaculture farm in the mountains Oita Prefecture.
National / Politics Dec 20, 2019
Working mom fights the odds to become sole female LDP lawmaker in Kyushu
by Tomohiro Osaki
On a recent chilly November morning, aspiring politician Maiko Takahashi was undergoing a trial by fire as she stumped for just the second time in her life, addressing an ebb and flow of commuters near Oita Station. The temperature had plummeted that day in Oita ...
National Oct 30, 2019
Drones tested in Japan nuclear disaster drill for first time near Ikata plant in Ehime
Drones carried supplies for the first time in a nuclear disaster drill on Wednesday at Shikoku Electric Power Co.'s Ikata nuclear power plant in Ehime Prefecture. The exercise by the Ehime Prefectural Government involved 23,000 participants from 97 organizations, including all municipalities in Ehime and ...
Rugby Oct 20, 2019
Japanese fans soaking up the atmosphere while watching teams other than Brave Blossoms play
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Oita has been given the honor of hosting a pair of Rugby World Cup quarterfinals matches. But it is the only city that does not have a chance to see its national team, Japan, play there. Some of the Japanese fans, however, do not appear ...
Travel Oct 11, 2019
Top 10: A local's guide to the most unique hot springs in Kyushu
by Chris Ott
Panoramas, bubble baths and tingling testicles — The Japan Times' list of 10 of the most unique and rare onsen Kyushu has to offer.
National Oct 3, 2019
With Rugby World Cup in full swing, Beppu hot spring resort still divided over tattooed visitors
Hotels and bathhouses at the famed Beppu Onsen hot-spring resort in Oita Prefecture continue to be divided over whether to accept tattooed visitors. Tattoos are widely accepted in many countries, but in Japan the practice is often associated with yakuza and other crime group members. About ...
Travel Sep 1, 2019
A guide to the 2019 Rugby World Cup and its host cities
by Oscar Boyd
What to do, see, drink and eat in each of the RWC cities as well as match dates and information on stadiums, transport and accommodation.