Stories from Japan

Japanese pair figure skaters Riku Kihara and Ryuichi Kihara will hold a press conference regarding their retirement on Tuesday. Olympic gold medalists Mura Kihara and Ryuichi Maki are holding a press conference to announce their retirement from figure skating. The press conference was confirmed to be for the Olympic gold medal-winning pair Miura Kihara and Ryuichi Kihara. The pair achieved the first gold medal for Japan in their category.

A ceremony was held on April 25 at a community plaza to honor the crew of the Kanrin Maru. Approximately 220 people attended, including representatives from Japan, the United States, and the Netherlands. The event commemorated the vessel's trans-Pacific voyage, which was prompted by the arrival of Commodore Perry's fleet in 1853. The ceremony aimed to strengthen international bonds between the participating nations.

International shipping surcharges will rise significantly starting with shipments departing in May. Surcharges are driven by rising crude oil prices due to Middle East tensions. The news follows a period of high demand at departure terminals.

A shipment of US crude oil arrived in Tokyo Bay yesterday after a 35-day voyage via the Panama Canal. This marks the first time US crude has reached Japan through this specific route following recent Middle East tensions. Oil companies and the government are utilizing this route to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. The move aims to secure a reliable supply source from the United States.

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurred off the coast of Hokkaido on Monday, April 27. A magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurred on Monday, April 27, with intensity 5-upper observed in Urakappu, Hokkaido.

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurred in Japan at 5:24 AM local time.

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurred at approximately 5:24 AM on April 27, 2026, in the southern part of the Tokachi region in Hokkaido, Japan. The earthquake occurred with a measurable focal depth, according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences. The tremor reached a maximum seismic intensity of 5-upper on the Japanese scale. No immediate casualty reports were provided in the initial broadcast.

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurred 18 km west of Sarabetsu at a depth of 81 km. The earthquake occurred at 5:24 AM in southern Tokachi, Hokkaido, with a magnitude of 6.1 and a depth of 80km. The earthquake occurred at 5:24 AM local time in the southern part of the Shizuoka region. The seismic event was recorded by the German Research Centre for Geosciences and featured a specific focal depth. The earthquake produced a seismic intensity of 5-upper in Urakappu, Hokkaido. No tsunami threat was reported following the tremor. Authorities have issued follow-up earthquake warnings for the offshore areas of Sanriku, Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.

Japanese police data shows approximately 77,000 people died alone at home in 2025.

A magnitude 5-upper earthquake occurred in the Hokkaido Plain region of Japan at approximately 05:24 local time. The tremor reached a seismic intensity of 5-upper in several locations and a 4 in others. Authorities have issued warnings regarding potential tsunami risks following the quake. Residents are advised to monitor upcoming information closely for safety. Intensity 4 tremors were also observed in other parts of Hokkaido. A magnitude 2.8 earthquake occurred 67 km east-northeast of Pedro Bay, Alaska, at a depth of 124.9 km.