Society

The Lead-Up and Aftermath of Fukishima | Modern Japanese History

Dec 28 (Wondrium) - When the earthquake and tsunami of Fukushima struck Japan in March 2011, the devastation was compounded by resulting explosions and radiation leaks at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

The earthquake measured 9.0 on the Richter Scale and the wall of water reached 130 feet high, killing 20,000 people. Watch how this disaster connects to Japan's efforts to reshape itself in the 21st century.

This video is episode 12 from the series The Rise of Modern Japan, presented by Mark Ravina

Strong Earthquake Hits Tottori and Shimane

A strong earthquake struck Tottori and Shimane prefectures at around 10:18 a.m. on January 6th, registering a maximum seismic intensity of upper 5 on Japan’s scale, with authorities confirming there is no risk of a tsunami.

Woman Dies Eating Mochi, 7 Hospitalized

An elderly woman died in Tokyo after choking on mochi during the first three days of the New Year, according to the Tokyo Fire Department.

New Year’s Sunrise Welcomed Across Japan

On the morning of January 1, people across Japan gathered to witness the first sunrise of the new year, offering prayers and reflections as the country welcomed 2026. From the iconic “Diamond Fuji,” where the rising sun aligns perfectly with the peak of Mount Fuji, to panoramic views from Tokyo Skytree, scenes of quiet celebration unfolded nationwide.

Emperor’s New Year Message: A Year to Move Forward With Hope

The Imperial Family welcomed the New Year on January 1, with the Emperor releasing a message through the Imperial Household Agency expressing his hopes that the year ahead will be one in which people in Japan and around the world can move forward with hope.

Kobe to Introduce Forest Burial Sites

More people are struggling with what to do about family graves, as the number of people choosing to close ancestral burial plots continues to rise across Japan.

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Cashless Payments Reshape Otoshidama Tradition

Otoshidama, the New Year cash gifts traditionally given to children in Japan, is undergoing a noticeable transformation as the spread of cashless payments and persistent inflation begin to affect even this long-standing custom.

Fewer People in Japan Visit Family Graves

The way people pay respects at family graves in Japan is undergoing rapid change, driven in part by shifting lifestyles and difficult realities surrounding grave maintenance.

Yasaka Shrine Holds New Year Karuta Ceremony

The annual New Year “Karuta Hajime” ceremony was held on January 3rd at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto’s Higashiyama Ward, where women known as “karuta-hime,” dressed in elegant Heian-period court robes, performed the opening match of the Hyakunin Isshu classical poetry card game.

The Truth Behind Hiroo Onoda's 29 Years in the Jungle

Nearly three decades after the end of World War II, one man finally returned to Japan. He was Hiroo Onoda, known as the last Japanese soldier, who had remained hidden in the jungles of the Philippines for 29 years after the war ended.

Security Cameras Capture Masked Thieves Stealing Pokemon Cards

Three men broke into a card shop in Tokyo’s Toshima Ward on the night of December 31, stealing Pokemon cards and other items worth about 30 million yen before fleeing the scene, according to police.

Emperor’s New Year Message: A Year to Move Forward With Hope

Kobe to Introduce Forest Burial Sites

More people are struggling with what to do about family graves, as the number of people choosing to close ancestral burial plots continues to rise across Japan.

Manor Stabs Beauty Salon Worker Over Fee Dispute

A man has been arrested in connection with the stabbing of a female esthetic salon manager in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward on August 29, with investigators revealing that the suspect had previously used the salon multiple times and had been involved in a dispute over unpaid fees.

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