Society

Over 110,000 households without water, 65 deaths confirmed

Ishikawa, Jan 03 (News On Japan) - In the wake of the catastrophic earthquake that struck central Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture on Monday, more than 110,500 households across three prefectures face continued water outages, with the death toll rising to at least 65.

The earthquake has left a trail of destruction, with tens of thousands of people also without electricity.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reported that significant water outages were affecting over 95,000 households in twelve cities and towns in Ishikawa Prefecture, including Nanao City, Wajima City, Shika Town, Suzu City, and Hakui City. Investigations are ongoing in Anamizu Town and Noto Town to determine the full impact.

Additionally, in Toyama Prefecture, cities like Takaoka, Himi, and Imizu are facing water outages impacting approximately 19,000 households. In Niigata Prefecture, Niigata City, Itoigawa City, and Sado City are also experiencing water outages affecting around 1,000 households due to damaged water pipes. Emergency measures, including the deployment of water trucks, are underway to alleviate the crisis.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida has declared the situation a race against time to save lives and rescue survivors. More than 40 hours after the earthquake, rescue operations continue in full force throughout Ishikawa. In a heart-wrenching account, one man recounted losing his two daughters when their home collapsed during the quake.

With many feared trapped under rubble and exposed to harsh winter conditions, the government has escalated its response. Prime Minister Kishida announced an increase in Self-Defense Forces personnel from 1,000 to 2,000, alongside more than 2,000 firefighters and over 700 police officers mobilized from across the country. Municipalities affected by the earthquake have requested additional rescue dogs, the quick reopening of severed roads, and supplies of water, blankets, and other essentials.

The earthquake's aftermath has brought immense challenges, including ongoing rescue efforts, restoring utilities, and providing aid to the affected populace. The government's top priority remains saving lives and supporting the recovery of the stricken communities.

Source: ANNnewsCH

Do Bears Prefer Acorns or Berries?

Bear sightings across Japan have already climbed to nearly twice the level recorded during the same period last year, prompting entry bans in mountain areas behind Kyoto’s Ninna-ji Temple and the cancellation of hiking events in Kansai, while new research suggests that the key to reducing encounters may lie in understanding what bears eat in each region.

Copper Thieves Target Japanese Shrines

Copper roofing panels were stolen from several shrines in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, including a city-designated cultural property, in the latest case amid a nationwide surge in copper thefts targeting shrines and temples across Japan, where soaring metal prices have fueled crimes that leave historic religious buildings damaged, exposed to the elements, and facing repair costs of millions of yen.

1200-Year-Old Temple on Miyajima Reduced to Ashes

Flames broke out on the morning of May 20th on Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture, home to one of Japan's World Heritage sites, destroying Reikado Hall near the summit of Mount Misen.

From Bento Boxes to Garbage Bags, Rising Costs Hitting Daily Life Across Japan

Uncertainty surrounding the situation in the Middle East is beginning to affect daily life in Japan, as concerns over crude oil supplies spread to restaurants, cleaning services and even household garbage disposal systems across the Kansai region.

Tochigi Robbery-Murder Suspect’s Wife Posted Dance Videos on Social Media

A 25-year-old woman arrested as a suspected ringleader in a robbery-murder case in Tochigi Prefecture once posted cheerful dance videos on social media and was remembered by those who knew her as an energetic and outgoing young woman.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Garbage Burnoff Spreads to 3 Buildings in Okayama

A fire that broke out in Kagamino, Okayama Prefecture, shortly after noon on May 20th destroyed three buildings, including a home, after flames from open burning spread to dead leaves and then to nearby structures.

Gang Members Arrested After Opening Office Near Nursery

Six people, including a senior member of a group affiliated with the Sumiyoshi-kai crime syndicate's Kohei-ikka faction, have been arrested on suspicion of opening a gang office in a prohibited area near a nursery school in Tokyo's Itabashi Ward.

Six Police Officers Injured After Man Sprays Liquid at Station

A man who visited a police station in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, in the early hours of May 21st allegedly sprayed a transparent liquid inside the building, causing six police officers to complain of eye and throat pain and be taken to hospital with minor injuries.