Tag - oita

 
 

OITA

Evacuated people rest at a green house converted into an evacuation center in the aftermath of an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Jan. 2, 2024.
JAPAN
Aug 22, 2025
Japan corrects number of potential megaquake evacuees
The overall number was updated to about 516,000, from an initial estimate of more than 520,000, after figures for Oita Prefecture were corrected.
Two Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force members killed during a training exercise in Oita Prefecture on Sunday died from electrocution caused by lightning, the GSDF confirmed Wednesday.
JAPAN / Society
Aug 21, 2025
GSDF confirms two sergeants who died during drills were killed by lightning
According to the Oita Meteorological Office, a lightning warning was in effect throughout the prefecture from early morning to night on the day they died.
Two Ground Self-Defense Force members have died during a training exercise at the Hijudai maneuver area in Oita Prefecture, according to the GSDF.
JAPAN / Society
Aug 19, 2025
Two GSDF sergeants die during training exercise in Oita Prefecture
After failing to respond to a radio call, the two were found in the maneuver area shortly after midnight early on Monday.
A yacht and a cargo ship collided near Hoto Island in Oita Prefecture on Wednesday morning, the Japan Coast Guard said.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Aug 14, 2025
Gravel carrier captain arrested over deadly yacht collision in Oita
Yuki Mochizuki, 28, was arrested on suspicion of professional negligence resulting in death and endangering traffic through negligence.
Oita Prefectural Kusu Miyama High School in the town of Kusu, Oita Prefecture
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Kyushu
Aug 4, 2025
Two Oita towns to launch program to nurture aspiring local teachers
As the towns are facing population decline, there are few young aspiring teachers there.
Japan's oldest person, Miyoko Hiroyasu, died Tuesday at the age of 114, according to the health ministry.
JAPAN / Society
Jul 31, 2025
Japan's oldest person dies at 114
Miyoko Hiroyasu, from the city of Nakatsu in Oita Prefecture, was born in January 1911. She died on Tuesday.
Shareholders board a HondaJet for a sightseeing flight at Oita Airport in Kunisaki, Oita Prefecture, on Saturday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 8, 2024
HondaJet flies with shareholders aboard
Eight passengers, including shareholders chosen by lottery from 6,846 applicants for the shareholder benefit program and their families, enjoyed a 30-minute flight.
Critics have said that drivers who were speeding well over the speed limit or those who were extremely drunk were not indicted for dangerous driving because of its vague definition.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal / EXPLAINER
Dec 6, 2024
What constitutes fatal dangerous driving in Japan?
Critics say its vague definition has often led prosecutors to indict offenders with less-serious charges of fatal negligent driving instead.
The Oita District Court sentenced a 23-year-old man to eight years in prison Thursday for causing a fatal crash in the city of Oita in 2021.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 28, 2024
Oita court sentences man to eight years in prison for dangerous driving
Initially filed as a case of negligent driving resulting in death, prosecutors later sought a dangerous driving charge, which carries harsher penalties.
Oita Prefecture's new fire and ambulance command center, located in the city of Oita, accepts live video footage from callers, allowing dispatchers to assess emergency situations more accurately.
JAPAN / Society
Oct 7, 2024
Oita Prefecture first in Japan to launch centralized fire command center
The new command center centralizes emergency 119 call response at the prefecture level, and scales up as needed during major disasters.
Through trial and error, Tashi Gyamtso and his team meticulously selected a variety of herbs and vegetables best suited to Yufuin’s unique altitude, climate and soil conditions — and which now form the backbone of Jimgu's menu.
LIFE / Food & Drink / Destination Restaurants
Sep 22, 2024
Jimgu: A farm-driven restaurant of outstanding local variety
Three years before chef Tashi Gyamtso served his first meal at Jimgu, he arrived in Oita Prefecture to build the farm that stocks his kitchen today.
Oita Prefectural Police have arrested a man, whose address and employment status were unknown, at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 10, 2024
Woman stabbed to death at Oita shopping complex
Hatsumi Hino, 84, was stabbed in the neck on Monday morning, allegedly by a man who has been arrested.
Amateur actor Chihiro Kawano (front) performs in Hikaru Fujii's video art installation "War Is Over" in Saiki, Oita Prefecture.
CULTURE / Art
Jun 7, 2024
War is (not) over: Hikaru Fujii probes historical memory in Kyushu
Viewable at its current location until June 16, “War Is Over” simply would not be the same work in a different location.
Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture will host one of three ryokan Hyatt is set to launch with Kyoto-based developer Kiraku in 2026.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 2, 2024
Hyatt doubles down on Japan with line of luxury ryokan
The first three locations are scheduled to start opening in 2026 in Kanagawa, Oita and Kagoshima prefectures.
Police believe it’s highly possible that human bones found in a molten iron pot at Nippon Steel's Oita factory belong to a missing male employee.
JAPAN
May 15, 2024
Human bone-like objects found at Nippon Steel plant’s molten iron pot, with one worker missing
The police said it’s highly possible that the bones belong to an employee who had been reported missing, and are currently conducting DNA tests.
Satoshi Harada from the Meteorological Agency explains about the magnitude 6.6 earthquake during a news conference early Thursday.
JAPAN
Apr 18, 2024
No link to Nankai Trough quake seen after temblor in Shikoku
There was no tsunami from the quake and reports suggested only minor injuries and damage.
Shintaro Tajima (left) and his son, Daisuke, pose in their forest in Hita, Oita Prefecture, in January. At their feet is wasabi growing in clusters.
BUSINESS / Companies / Regional Voices: Kyushu
Mar 18, 2024
Oita forestry firm signs carbon trade deal with Line operator
LY, which operates Line and Yahoo services, will purchase 1,500 tons of carbon credit per year from Tajima Forest for 10 years.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Mar 7, 2024
Court rejects class action suit opposing nuclear plant in Ehime
Local residents in Oita, less than 50 kilometers from the facility, had called into question the safety of the plant during natural disasters.
Yoko Huijs-Watanuki poses in the city of Fukuoka during a visit to Japan in October.
JAPAN / Society / Regional Voices: Kyushu
Dec 4, 2023
Oita woman helps Japanese Dutch, born in WWII, trace their roots
During the Pacific War the Japanese military occupied the Dutch East Indies, after taking the land from Dutch forces in 1942.
MUFG Bank is aiming to foray into space by investing in startups.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 27, 2023
MUFG Bank among firms to lead $290 million Sierra Space fundraising
Sierra Space is among a handful of space industry players attempting to build a private space station.

Longform

Tetsuzo Shiraishi, speaking at The Center of the Tokyo Raids and War Damage, uses a thermos to explain how he experienced the U.S. firebombing of March 1945, when he was just 7 years old.
From ashes to high-rises: A survivor’s account of Tokyo’s postwar past