National Jan 1, 2019
The Japan Times newsroom selected the following domestic news stories as the most important of 2018.
National Nov 5, 2018
Cooperation and information sharing key in disaster response, speakers tell Hiroshima workshop
by Eric Johnston
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 ...
Voices | FOREIGN AGENDA Oct 3, 2018
Japan's diverse bunch of disaster volunteers are primed for a warming world
by Shaun O'dwyer
In these polarized times, crises bring together people from a range of backgrounds to spread the word about perils linked to climate change.
Editorials Aug 31, 2018
Each one of us must be fully aware of disasters risk and learn what action we need to take when they hit.
National Aug 24, 2018
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 ...
Business / Corporate Aug 16, 2018
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, ...
Issues | THE FOREIGN ELEMENT Aug 16, 2018
An Antipodean friendship fortified in Japanese floodwaters the color of 'Australian beer'
by Simon Scott
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.
National Aug 16, 2018
Yutaka Ito is leading a volunteer effort in Hiroshima to clean photographs that were blemished during torrential rain in the city and other parts of western Japan last month, including those buried in landslides. A photo studio in Hiroshima received a cardboard box filled with ...
National Aug 14, 2018
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.
National Aug 14, 2018
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 ...
National Aug 8, 2018
80 percent of residents did not follow evacuation advisories for Typhoon Jongdari: survey
About 80 percent of residents in western Japan did not follow evacuation advisories issued late last month in relation to Typhoon Jongdari because they believed their houses were safe, a recent survey found. The online survey, conducted on Aug. 1 and 2, covered adults in ...
National Aug 5, 2018
In aftermath of deadly rains, Hiroshima pins recovery hopes on tourism
by Magdalena Osumi
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 ...