Landslide Tears Through Shiga Neighborhood

Jul 08, 2026 | News On Japan

SHIGA - A landslide that occurred directly in front of homes in Koka, Shiga Prefecture, on July 7 caused part of a garden to collapse and cut off a road, bringing down an area about 25 meters wide and 80 meters long, including residential property.

A woman living nearby who was at home at the time said she heard the electricity crackling before a loud rumbling sound. "The electricity started crackling, and then I heard a dododododo sound. I saw a utility pole snap and start falling, and I thought, 'This is serious,' so I rushed outside," she said.

No injuries were reported, but the city issued a Level 4 evacuation order for 67 people in 25 nearby households.

According to the city, the site was developed about 50 years ago, and no landslide had previously occurred there.

Rain had continued for three days at the site until the day before the collapse.

City officials began an on-site investigation at 2 p.m. on July 8 to determine the cause.

滋賀の住宅地で土砂崩れ、道路寸断

滋賀県甲賀市で7月7日、住宅の目の前で土砂崩れが発生し、庭の一部が崩れて道路が寸断された。崩落は幅約25メートル、長さ約80メートルに及び、住宅の敷地も巻き込まれた。

滋贺住宅区发生山体滑坡

滋贺县甲贺市7月7日发生山体滑坡，地点就在住宅前方，导致部分庭院坍塌，道路被切断。滑坡范围约宽25米、长80米，住宅用地也受到波及。

Source: FNN

Typhoon No. 9 Threatens Direct Hit on Okinawa This Weekend

Large and very strong Typhoon No. 9 (Bavi) may directly hit Okinawa Prefecture this weekend, with disaster-level winds strong enough to damage homes expected as the storm approaches the Sakishima Islands. The typhoon, currently east of the Philippines, is moving west and is expected to come closest to Okinawa Prefecture from Friday night while carrying a storm zone. The Sakishima Islands, including Ishigaki Island, face the risk of a direct hit.

Akie Abe Reflects on Husband’s Killing Four Years Later

Akie Abe, the wife of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has said she is only now becoming able to grieve honestly over her husband’s death, four years after he was shot and killed during an election campaign speech in Nara.

Shizuoka Approves Start of Maglev Construction After Nine-Year Dispute

A nine-year dispute over the Linear Chuo Shinkansen effectively came to an end on July 7 as Shizuoka Governor Yasutomo Suzuki told the prefectural assembly that he would allow Central Japan Railway to begin construction on the Shizuoka section of the project.

Japan Lowers Passport Fees to 7,000 yen

Japan lowered passport application fees from July 1, drawing large crowds to application counters such as the one in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, although applicants are being warned that issuance could take as long as about one month.

Tokyo to Set Accommodation Tax at 3% From Next April

Tokyo will introduce a 3% accommodation tax on hotel and other lodging stays from April 2027, formally replacing its current flat-rate system and extending the levy to private lodging services.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Woman Arrested After Allegedly Sewing Housemate’s Lips Shut

A 49-year-old woman in Koga, Ibaraki Prefecture, has been arrested on suspicion of injuring a 42-year-old woman she lived with by sewing her upper and lower lips together multiple times with a threaded needle, police said.

Landslide Tears Through Shiga Neighborhood

A landslide that occurred directly in front of homes in Koka, Shiga Prefecture, on July 7 caused part of a garden to collapse and cut off a road, bringing down an area about 25 meters wide and 80 meters long, including residential property.

Nagahama’s Last Silk Workshop Spins Shamisen and Koto Strings

Silk thread production for strings used in shamisen and other traditional Japanese instruments has reached its peak in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture.

Disgruntled Trainee Monk Accused of Setting Fire to Temple

A trainee monk has been arrested on suspicion of setting fire to Entsuji, a temple in Imari, Saga Prefecture, after a June blaze destroyed its main hall and living quarters, with the suspect telling investigators he had become dissatisfied with the amount of training and the way he was being instructed.

Worker Found Floating During Runway Setup for Birdman Contest

A 59-year-old worker died after apparently falling about 11 meters into Lake Biwa while helping set up the runway for the Birdman Contest in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture.

Foreign Man Jumps Into River and Flees Near Osaka Detention House

A man believed to be a foreign national jumped into a river and swam away near the Osaka Detention House in Osaka’s Miyakojima Ward on the afternoon of July 6 while being pursued by Aichi Prefectural Police, and authorities are still searching for him.

Who Stole 11 Buddhist Statues From a Gifu Temple?

A temple in Yamagata, Gifu Prefecture, reported the theft of 11 Buddhist statues and other items on the morning of July 6, prompting police to investigate the case as a burglary.

Prince Group Boss Rearrested in Japan Over Immigration Violation

A senior figure believed to be one of the top executives of the Prince Group, described as one of Asia’s largest criminal organizations, has been rearrested in Tokyo on suspicion of violating Japan’s Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act by unlawfully handing over his residence card to others, the Metropolitan Police Department said.

< 2 3 4 5 >