Society

1 dead, around 50 injured after powerful typhoon pounds western Japan

Aug 16 (Kyodo) - A powerful typhoon ripped through western Japan on Thursday, leaving one man dead and about 50 people injured, while greatly disrupting summer holiday traffic.

Over 7,000 residents evacuated their homes in parts of western and eastern Japan after the country's meteorological agency warned of record rainfall totaling 1,200 millimeters in Pacific coastal areas as well as landslides and floods.

Typhoon Krosa made landfall near Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, around 3 p.m. and proceeded north to the Sea of Japan. As of midnight Thursday, it was moving at a speed of 35 kilometers per hour around 180 km north of Matsue in Shimane Prefecture, with an atmospheric pressure of 980 hectopascals at its center and packing winds of up to 126 kph.

As the season's 10th typhoon weakens and dissipates after crossing western Japan, it is expected to be downgraded to an extratropical cyclone by early Saturday, according to the agency.

Student's Homemade Bomb Sparks School Lockdown in Sapporo

A suspicious object feared to be explosive was discovered at a high school in Sapporo on the afternoon of November 22nd, causing temporary chaos. The object was found to have been brought to the school by one of its students.

China to resume visa-exemptions for short-term Japanese travelers

China says it will resume allowing visa-free visits by Japanese nationals on short-term trips from the end of this month. (NHK)

Japan Grapples with Poverty and Rising 'Invisible Homeless'

Japan is facing a deepening crisis of poverty and inequality, with rising reports of 'invisible homeless' individuals and growing economic hardships among the population. Discussions over reforms to the country's tax and welfare systems have taken center stage, as policymakers grapple with how to provide meaningful support.

Ueno Toshogu Shrine Shines in Gold with Special Lighting

A special lighting ceremony was held on November 20th at Ueno Toshogu Shrine, located in Ueno Park, Taito Ward, Tokyo. The event featured a unique lighting design created by renowned lighting designer Motoko Ishii.

World's First Fiber Made From Bagworm Silk Revolutionizes Industry

A Japanese pharmaceutical company has announced the successful commercialization of fiber made from silk produced by bagworms.

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