TRAVEL

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited March 2011 disaster-hit Miyagi Prefecture Sunday. (Jiji Press)

Some atypical developments are taking place in Osaka’s nightlife districts. Shukan Jitsuwa (Jan. 31) reports that an investigation that began in the Matsushima Shinchi district earlier this month led to a number of employees in the adult-entertainment trade being arrested in Imazato Shinchi on prostitution charges a few days later. (Tokyo Reporter)

Growers of Nori seaweed have resumed cultivation off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture. They were unable to harvest the popular food for 19 months after a massive tsunami hit the area. (NHKReloaded)

Visitors bid farewell to a panda cub Thursday at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo after the days-old baby died of pneumonia. (Yomiuri)