A Japanese journalist freed from prison in Myanmar earlier this month spoke to reporters in Tokyo on Monday. Kubota Toru called for more awareness about the human rights situation in the country and urged the ruling military to improve it.

Kubota was held by security authorities in Yangon in July for filming protests against the junta while on a tourist visa. He had been facing a total of 10 years' imprisonment on charges including violating the immigration law.

Dozens of skiers trapped for 11 hours in a cottage on a ski slope in northern Japan have been freed.

The road leading to Inakawa ski resort in the city of Yuzawa in Akita Prefecture was blocked by a fallen power pole and toppled trees.