Kagura, a form of Shinto theatrical dance, is increasingly winning the hearts of young women in Shimane Prefecture, carving out a new fan base in the traditionally male-dominated music ritual that is grappling with a shortage of successors. Dubbing themselves “kagurājo,” (kagura girls) these women ...
Shimane man arrested after threatening to 'spread' coronavirus at train station
The suspect told police he has not undergone testing for the virus and that he had exhibited no symptoms.
Nearly all prefectures in Japan shut schools amid coronavirus outbreak
Some schools are leaving their facilities open so children will have a place to go if their parents are working.
Japan presses claim to disputed South Korean-held islets at annual event
As bilateral tensions linger over wartime issues, Japan presses its claim to Takeshima, a tiny pair of South Korea-held islets, during an annual ceremony held in Shimane Prefecture.
Chiba man arrested after holding woman hostage for 18 hours in Shimane
A woman was released unharmed Wednesday morning after being held hostage for 18 hours by a man at the headquarters of a transport company in Shimane Prefecture, police said. Kaisei Nakao of Chiba Prefecture, who had wielded a sharp object, was arrested on the spot ...
Rock singer Hyde joins other Japanese musicians in promoting their hometowns
When Wakayama's newsletter featured native rock star Hyde on its front cover, phones at the municipal office lit up, alarming officials. "The response to the newsletter was beyond our imagination," recalled a city official. The Wakayama Municipal Government received over 1,200 inquiries about the monthly newsletter ...
Japanese fishermen and officials enraged over North Korea's missile firing
Fishermen and officials voiced anger and anxiety over North Korea's firing of a ballistic missile on Wednesday that fell into waters where Japanese fishing boats operate. The North Korean missile is believed to have dropped into waters in the nation's exclusive economic zone in the ...
North Korea fires ballistic missile built to be launched from submarine into Japan's EEZ
North Korea tested a suspected sub-launched ballistic missile in a technological advancement, if successful, could make it significantly more difficult to destroy its nuclear arsenal.
Workers from Japan's big cities decamp to Matsue in Shimane for teleworking stress test
The city of Matsue in Shimane Prefecture has embarked on an experiment to find out whether teleworking in the regional city helps reduce the stress levels of businesspeople who normally work in major cities. The city hopes the experiment will demonstrate the health-promoting benefits of ...
Iwami-kagura: The changing face of a Shimane theatrical tradition
Kneeling on the floor of his atelier in the Nagahama district of Hamada, Shimane Prefecture, master craftsman Katsuro Ka-kita applies the finishing touches to one of his colorful, striking and sometimes terrifying creations. Each depicts characters from Japanese mythology, such as the jealous female demon ...
Small Korean airline cancels charter flights to Shimane amid frayed ties
Korea Express Air, a small South Korean airline, has decided to cancel charter flights to Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, because of falling demand for package tours as Tokyo and Seoul find themselves increasingly at odds over wartime issues, local officials said Friday. Six round-trip flights scheduled ...
After seizure by Russia and payment of fine, crew of Japanese crab fishing boat released
All 10 crew members of a Japanese crab fishing boat detained by Russian authorities in late January were released Friday and are returning home, according to the consulate-general of Japan in Vladivostok. The captain of the Nishino Maru No. 68 from Shimane Prefecture has been ...
