Heavy Rain Hits Southern Japan

Heavy rain hits southern Japan

Flooding in parts of southern Japan caused by torrential rain has inundated many residential areas. Authorities say over 15 people have no vital signs and others are missing.

A band of clouds hung over southern Japan on Saturday, dumping rain on Kumamoto Prefecture although the downpour has eased for now.

Heavy Rain, Flooding Hits Southern Japan

Heavy rain, flooding hits Southern Japan

Authorities say over 10 people are without vital signs and others are missing, after torrential rains and flooding hit parts of southern Japan.

A band of cloud hung over the region on Saturday, dumping rain on Kumamoto Prefecture, although the downpour has eased for now.

Heavy Rain Hits Japan's Tokai Region

Heavy rain hits Japan's Tokai region

Heavy rain has pummeled the Tokai region, central Japan, prompting weather officials to warn of mudslides.

The accumulated rainfall for the one hour through 5 p.m. on Wednesday reached 32 millimeters in Kawazu Town in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Virus Hits Japan's Big Business Confidence

Virus hits Japan's big business confidence

The Bank of Japan's latest quarterly Tankan survey shows that business confidence among large manufactures plunged to the lowest level in over a decade amid the coronavirus pandemic.

It shows that sentiment at big manufactures in Japan fell to minus 34 in the April-June quarter, down from minus 8 in the previous survey.

Morning Quake Hits Tohoku Region

Morning quake hits Tohoku region

An earthquake struck the Tohoku region of northern Japan at around 5:39 a.m. on Monday, local time.

It had an estimated magnitude of 6.1. The focus was off the coast of Miyagi prefecture at a depth of 50 kilometers. Officials say there is no risk of tsunami.

Avalanche Hits 8 Skiers At Hokkaido Resort

Avalanche hits 8 skiers at Hokkaido resort

An avalanche hit eight people who had been skiing off regular slopes at a ski resort in Hokkaido on Thursday. They are believed to be foreign tourists.

Police say one of the skiers went to seek help. They say one of the group, believed to be a French national, is in critical condition and the others have minor injuries.