Society

Four-Story Kabukicho Building Catches Fire

TOKYO, Aug 09 (News On Japan) - A fire broke out in a building in Tokyo's Kabukicho early Friday morning, sending thick smoke billowing into the air. The fire continues to spread as the Tokyo Fire Department conducts firefighting operations.

At around 6 a.m. on August 9, a 110 call was made reporting an explosion and flames rising from the first floor up to the second and third floors of a building in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho district.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department and other sources, the first floor of the four-story building is fiercely burning. The Tokyo Fire Department has dispatched 18 fire trucks to extinguish the blaze while checking for any injured individuals or those who may have been trapped inside.

The site is located about 400 meters from JR Shinjuku Station's east exit, an area densely packed with multi-tenant buildings.

Osaka Expands Indoor Smoking Ban

From April 1st, a new regulation took effect across Osaka Prefecture requiring all restaurants with a customer seating area larger than 30 square meters to become entirely smoke-free indoors—unless they install a designated smoking room. Establishments violating the rule face fines of up to 50,000 yen, while customers may be fined up to 30,000 yen.

Japan's Imperial Household Launches YouTube Channel

The Imperial Household Agency launched an official YouTube channel on April 1st to introduce the activities of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.

New Recruits Across Japan Mark First Day as Working Adults

Japan's new fiscal year began on April 1st, with companies across the country holding entrance ceremonies to welcome new employees.

Death Toll Could Reach 298,000 in Nankai Trough Megaquake

The Japanese government has released an updated damage forecast for a potential Nankai Trough megaquake, estimating that up to 298,000 people could die in the worst-case scenario. This projection reflects a slight reduction from the previous estimate of 332,000 deaths made 13 years ago.

Tokyo's Cherry Blossoms Bloom Early This Year

The Japan Meteorological Agency announced on March 30th that cherry blossoms (Somei-Yoshino) in central Tokyo have reached full bloom, one day earlier than the historical average and five days earlier than last year.

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