Society

Japan's great quake: 12 years later, 30,000 still unable to go home

Mar 11 (Nikkei) - More than 30,000 Japanese remain displaced after a major earthquake and tsunami struck northeastern Japan 12 years ago on Saturday, even as some of the worst affected areas reopen to former residents.

As of February, 30,884 people who were evacuated following the disaster and subsequent meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant still could not return home. This included 20,000 former residents of Fukushima prefecture who now live elsewhere.

The death toll from the earthquake stood at 15,900 as of March 1. Another 2,523 remain missing. This was the first year since the disaster in which no new bodies were found or a missing person identified.

Japan is decontaminating six towns and villages near the Fukushima Daiichi plant ahead of the rest of the area to serve as hubs for its revival. The government lifted evacuation orders in three of them last year, including the town of Futaba, allowing residents to return. ...continue reading

Driver Intentionally Rams Into 7 Children in Osaka

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after driving into seven elementary school children near an Osaka school as they were walking home.

Outlawed Poppies Discovered in Fukuoka 'Flower Picnic'

Flowers believed to be illegal poppies -- a variety used as a raw material for opium -- were found at Uminonakamichi Seaside Park in Fukuoka City, where cultivation is prohibited by law, and were incinerated by the management center on April 30th during the ongoing 'Flower Picnic' event.

British Pavilion’s 5,000-Yen Tea Set Causes Stir

A 5,000-yen afternoon tea set sold at the UK Pavilion of the Osaka-Kansai Expo has sparked criticism, prompting an apology from the British Embassy.

India Pavilion Opens at Osaka Expo After 18-Day Delay

The India Pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo opened on May 1st, marking its debut 18 days after the international event began on April 13th.

Snake Causes Shinkansen Power Outage

The Tokaido Shinkansen resumed service at 7:00 p.m. on April 30th after a power outage forced a suspension of operations, but major delays continued to affect the timetable.

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MORE Society NEWS

Imperial Household Aide Fired for Theft

A chamberlain assigned to the Emperor's household has been dismissed by the Imperial Household Agency after it was discovered the aide had embezzled 3.6 million yen, or roughly 25,000 dollars, from an account used to cover the Imperial Family’s living expenses.

Shibuya Bar Owner Arrested Over VIP Bikini Bathtub Course

A man operating a bar in Shibuya, Tokyo, was arrested on April 29th for allegedly providing unlicensed entertainment services involving women in swimsuits bathing in front of customers.

Kyoto Road Sinks After Aging Water Pipe Bursts

A burst water pipe beneath National Route 1 in central Kyoto early on April 30th caused a road collapse that flooded surrounding streets and vehicles, triggering widespread disruption.

Dispute Over Meal Cost Leaves One Dead in Western Japan

Two men were stabbed early Wednesday morning in Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture, leaving one dead in what police believe was a dispute over a restaurant bill.

US Marine Indicted for Sexual Assault Inside Okinawa Base Toilet

The Naha District Public Prosecutors Office has indicted a 27-year-old U.S. Marine on charges of non-consensual sexual intercourse and assault after he allegedly attacked a woman inside a toilet cubicle at a U.S. military base in Okinawa.

Small Plane Engine Failure Forces Emergency Landing in Lake

A small aircraft made an emergency landing in a lake in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture on April 29th, leaving one man seriously injured and another with minor injuries.

Is It a Cat Adoption Scam?

A growing number of cases have been reported in which individuals offering to transfer cats for free on social media platforms demand payments, leading to suspicions of fraud.

Japan's population shrinking as marriage and birth rates plummet

Japan's population has been shrinking for 15 years, with huge implications for the country’s economy, national defense, and culture. Now, policymakers are working to boost birth rates. (60 Minutes)

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