Tag - iwate

 
 

IWATE

A bear sighting warning sign in a park at a residential area in the city of Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture. Hanamaki has deployed along riverbanks artificial intelligence-equipped cameras that identify bears and alert city officials.
JAPAN / Society
Nov 13, 2024
Municipalities in Japan turn to AI and digital maps to prevent bear encounters
Akita Prefecture's online map consolidates reports of sightings and incidents while the city of Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture has deployed cameras that identify bears.
Appi Geothermal Energy's power plant in Hachimantai, Iwate Prefecture, began commercial operations in March.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Oct 31, 2024
Geothermal power slowly gains steam in Japan
Development of the energy source has long stalled, partly because they tend to lie beneath national parks, which are protected for wildlife conservation.
A World Series public-viewing event in Oshu, Iwate Prefecture, on Wednesday.
BASEBALL
Oct 30, 2024
'A treasure': Win or lose, Ohtani is a hometown hero in Iwate
Anticipation was high among the roughly 60 supporters who gathered early in the morning to watch Ohtani and the Dodgers try to clinch the World Series.
Eiji Kidoguchi, fielded by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, won a by-election for the House of Councilors on Sunday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 28, 2024
CDP candidate wins Upper House by-election
Eiji Kidoguchi, elected to the chamber for the second time, focused his campaign on political reform.
 Megumi Hirose, former Upper House member
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 10, 2024
Campaigning begins for Upper House by-election in Iwate
The by-election follows the resignation of Megumi Hirose over allegations public funds were misused.
Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits his 50th home run of the season on Thursday in Miami.
BASEBALL / MLB
Sep 20, 2024
Ohtani’s former manager elated — but not surprised — after historic mark
Even as Ohtani rewrites the record books, Hideki Kuriyama believes he can do more.
A by-election to fill the vacancy left by Megumi Hirose's resignation is expected to take place on Oct. 27.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 15, 2024
Former LDP member Megumi Hirose resigns as Upper House lawmaker
Her resignation comes amid allegations that one of her secretaries had fraudulently received a salary using state funds.
Newly formed Tropical Storm Ampil, which is forecast to approach eastern Japan this weekend, is seen on the left side of this satellite image.
JAPAN
Aug 13, 2024
Focus shifts to incoming typhoon as Tropical Storm Maria dissipates
Tropical Storm Ampil is forecast to strengthen into a typhoon — a level on par with a Category 1 hurricane — and near eastern Japan this weekend.
High water levels in the Nagauchi River in the city of Kuji, Iwate Prefecture, on Monday 
JAPAN
Aug 12, 2024
Tohoku on alert as Tropical Storm Maria moves over region
Level 5 is the highest alert level, indicating a life-threatening situation and that residents should take immediate action to protect their lives.
Upper House lawmaker Megumi Hirose enters her house in Tokyo after it was raided on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jul 30, 2024
Tokyo prosecutors raid LDP lawmaker's home on suspicion of salary fraud
Megumi Hirose, 58, is suspected of providing one of her secretaries with a state-paid salary even though they reportedly did no real work.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida listens to voters in the city of Kumamoto in April. Liberal Democratic Party politicians are afraid that Kishida's unpopularity could seal their own fates when they stand for local elections.
JAPAN / Politics
Jun 13, 2024
Calls for Kishida to step down growing among local LDP chapters
They blame their party’s unpopularity on him over the way he handled the kickbacks scandal and the political funds bill aimed at toughening up rules in its wake.
Shinsaku Otomo (center) became the 1 millionth visitor to the Iwate Tsunami Memorial Museum on Sunday.
JAPAN
Jun 3, 2024
Iwate Tsunami Memorial Museum reaches 1 million visitors
Opened in September 2019, the museum features 150 items, including a tsunami-hit fire truck and panels on disaster response and evacuation lessons.
The colored patterns of Tsuguru "nuri," made in Aomori Prefecture, are achieved by applying multiple coatings of lacquer, which are later polished down to reveal layers of colors beneath.
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
May 18, 2024
A new initiative rethinks old Tohoku crafts
Described as “collector's items,” the works are being kept under wraps until their debut at a May 24-25 exhibition at Kudan House in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward.
The Ibaraki Prefectural Government has introduced an optional four-day workweek to serve as a model for work style reform.
JAPAN / Society
Apr 30, 2024
Are local governments in Japan ready to embrace a four-day workweek?
Several municipalities are testing the waters by allowing employees to opt for longer workdays in exchange for an extra weekday off.
Children give a presentation on volcano studies during a workshop at Tairadate Elementary School in Hachimantai, Iwate Prefecture, in February.
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Tohoku
Apr 29, 2024
Raising awareness over Mount Iwate eruption urged as memories fade
Interest in preparing for possible volcanic eruptions is difficult to muster in a nation prone to other natural disasters.
Rescuers prepare supplies before entering Taroko National Park after an earthquake in Hualien, Taiwan.
JAPAN
Apr 5, 2024
Local governments in Japan move to support quake-hit Taiwan
Areas in Japan hit by previous disasters are aiming to offer support for Taiwan.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi. Following a strong quake in the Tohoku region Tuesday, the government set up an information office for crisis management at the Prime Minister's Office.
JAPAN
Apr 2, 2024
Strong quake jolts northeastern Japan, logging lower 5 intensity
The Meteorological Agency has cautioned those in the northeast to remain alert for lower 5 intensity quakes for about a week.
LDP Youth Division leaders Takashi Fujiwara (left) and Yasutaka Nakasone submitted their resignations to the party headquarters last Friday over an event hosted by the party's Wakayama chapter last November that featured female dancers in revealing outfits.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 11, 2024
After slush funds, LDP now faces fresh scandals
An event that featured dancers in revealing outfits and an affair with a Canadian saxophone player have resulted in three resignations in the past week.
Iwate Gov. Takuya Tasso speaks during an interview in February in the city of Morioka.
JAPAN / Society
Mar 8, 2024
13 years after 3/11, Iwate looks to make best use of new infrastructure
The governor of Iwate also called on the central government to continue necessary reconstruction projects while listening to people in the affected areas.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?