One year after floods, hard-hit area of Okayama Prefecture sees spike in thefts targeting victims
A town in western Japan hit by flooding caused by torrential rain a year ago is now struggling with thefts targeting disaster victims who are working to rebuild their lives. Police have called on people in the Mabicho district of Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, to "ensure ...
The Japan Times newsroom selected the following domestic news stories as the most important of 2018.
Cooperation and information sharing key in disaster response, speakers tell Hiroshima workshop
Given Japan's vulnerability to natural disasters, and with accelerating climate change widely predicted to increase severe weather patterns, increased cooperation and information sharing is more important than ever to meet the needs of victims. That was the message delivered Monday in Hiroshima during a workshop ...
Japan's diverse bunch of disaster volunteers are primed for a warming world
In these polarized times, crises bring together people from a range of backgrounds to spread the word about perils linked to climate change.
Each one of us must be fully aware of disasters risk and learn what action we need to take when they hit.
Wooden housing that sheltered Fukushima displaced now relocated for use in rain-hit western Japan
Purpose-built wooden emergency homes constructed using a traditional nail-less building technique and used by people displaced by the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis have been relocated to Soja, Okayama Prefecture, which was recently hit by torrential rains. In early August, carpenters in Soja began putting together ...
Some factories in western Japan still down a month after rain disaster
Damaged roads, train tracks and other transportation infrastructure are preventing factories in western Japan from reaching a full recovery a month after deadly rains killed over 200 people in the region. Mazda Motor Corp. has resumed production at its headquarters plant in Fuchu, Hiroshima Prefecture, ...
An Antipodean friendship fortified in Japanese floodwaters the color of 'Australian beer'
After his own rescue, one Kiwi resident of flooded Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, returned to the rising waters to look for his Aussie friend's stranded family.
Just six visually impaired people were confirmed to have taken shelter at evacuation sites in the three hardest-hit prefectures of Okayama, Hiroshima and Ehime.
Emperor and Empress to visit disaster-hit prefectures in western Japan
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are considering a visit in September to three prefectures in western Japan that were hit the hardest by torrential rains last month, senior officials of the Imperial Household Agency said Tuesday. The Imperial Couple are hoping to visit Okayama and ...
In aftermath of deadly rains, Hiroshima pins recovery hopes on tourism
A month after heavy rains lashed western Japan and disrupted railway systems in the region, communities and business owners in Hiroshima are hoping they can keep the crucial tourism industry afloat. Hiroshima is at its peak around this time. Although the torrential rain in early ...
Cabinet taps ¥105 billion in reserves to help rain-ravaged areas in west Japan
The first tranche of state support will be used to fix river facilities and help damaged households and businesses clean up and get back on their feet.
