News
Heavy rain hits southwest Japan, disaster risk rises
1+ hour, 2+ min ago (310+ words) TOKYO - Heavy rain hit southern Kyushu in southwestern Japan on Sunday, prompting the weather agency to warn of possible landslides, flooding in low-lying areas and swollen or overflowing rivers. Linear rainbands -- zones of heavy rain clouds that form in succession…...
At least 112 non-native species found in Japanese waters, study shows
19+ hour, 52+ min ago (208+ words) TOKYO - At least 112 non-native species have entered Japanese waters since the late 1800s, with some spreading northward apparently due to global warming, a team of marine biologists has found. The species include crustaceans such as crabs, mollusks, pathogens and parasites that…...
Japan's oldest endangered Amur tiger dies at 20 at Fukuoka zoo
1+ day, 18+ hour ago (162+ words) FUKUOKA - A 20-year-old male Amur tiger, the oldest of his species in Japan, has died at a zoo in Fukuoka, according to the city. The tiger, Kai, was found motionless in an outdoor exhibition area at Fukuoka Zoo on Thursday…...
Island nations agree in Tokyo on fund to address maritime conservation
2+ day, 13+ hour ago (181+ words) TOKYO - Island nations agreed Thursday to establish a support fund for maritime conservation efforts as part of an action plan unveiled at the conclusion of a two-day conference in Tokyo. At the inaugural Island States Ocean Summit, participants shared concerns…...
FEATURE: Japan researchers turn discarded udon noodles into biodegradable paper
3+ day, 3+ hour ago (575+ words) TAKAMATSU, Japan - A university in Kagawa is turning one of the western Japan prefecture's most famous foods into an unlikely new material, using discarded udon noodles to create biodegradable "paper". Researchers are using microorganisms to transform unwanted wheat noodles from…...
Over 30 island nations join inaugural ocean forum in Tokyo
3+ day, 16+ hour ago (280+ words) TOKYO - Around 300 representatives from over 30 island nations gathered Wednesday in Tokyo for a two-day conference to discuss maritime conservation and measures to combat climate change, on a scale that Japan's Foreign Ministry said is unprecedented. The inaugural Island States Ocean…...
Typhoon Jangmi makes landfall in Japan's Wakayama Prefecture
4+ day, 8+ hour ago (190+ words) Typhoon Jangmi made landfall in the southern part of Wakayama Prefecture in western Japan on Wednesday morning after dumping rain along the Pacific Ocean side of the country's southwest and west, the weather agency said. Typhoon Jangmi makes landfall in…...
Typhoon Jangmi moves north toward Japan's Kyushu after battering Okinawa
5+ day, 2+ hour ago (152+ words) TOKYO - Typhoon Jangmi is moving north toward Japan's southernmost main island of Kyushu on Tuesday after battering Okinawa the previous day, the weather agency said. Four people were injured due to falls and other causes in Okinawa Prefecture amid strong…...
Japan's main island gets 1st crested ibises in wild, 1st time in 56 yrs
5+ day, 19+ hour ago (227+ words) KANAZAWA, Japan - Crested ibises, designated as natural treasures, were released into the wild in central Japan on Sunday, marking the first time in 56 years the country's main island has had these birds. The number of wild crested ibises had tumbled…...
Typhoon Jangmi expected to bring heavy rain to western, eastern Japan
5+ day, 22+ hour ago (291+ words) TOKYO - Typhoon Jangmi is forecast to bring heavy rain to western and eastern Japan along the Pacific coast this week, the Japan Meteorological Agency said Sunday, with airlines already cancelling flights. The agency said warning-level heavy rain may fall from…...