It’s been 12 years since the magnitude-9 earthquake and 40-meter (130-feet) high tsunami hit northern Japan in March 2011. Prolonged evacuation is finally ending in Fukushima around the flooded nuclear facilities. Unfortunately, these deadly...
Japan is notably vulnerable to natural disasters due to its climate and volatile geography. September 1 is designated annually as Disaster Prevention Day. Many disaster prevention training exercises take place nationwide during the week around this...
Organic cotton is one of the most sustainable fabrics around, as it is produced without the use of toxic chemicals. This means it leaves less of an environmental footprint compared to conventional cotton. Cotton farmers also benefit from its...
Suicide is a complex issue with causes that vary depending on the individual and country. Japan in particular is known for its high rate of suicides, which many attribute to cultural factors such as harsh working environments. What exactly is behind...
Climate change is going to massively impact the way we live. Not only will it affect average temperatures worldwide, it will also affect everything from water levels to food quality. One of the biggest possible issues, however, is the possibility of...
Going green is becoming not only a moral decision but an essential business focus in the food industry. With this in mind, Crazy Kitchen, a Japanese catering company, has started a new service called “Sustainable Collection” focusing on...
Miyagi Prefecture has placed a ban fishing for small bluefin tuna less than 30 kg until September 30 2019. This comes after the estimate that the amount of tuna acquired this year may exceed limits set by the prefecture. This consequence of...
In downtown Kamaishi City, in Japan’s northeastern Iwate Prefecture, I asked a taxi driver to take me to Nakamise Street. “Nakamise Street?” he says. “It’s just a shuttered shopping strip.” “The place used to bustle with life,” he added. It was just...
Hirota is a town in Rikuzen Takata city, Iwate Prefecture; everyday young people relocate here, providing a breath of fresh air. They are organizing events which involves the locals, and are promoting a vacation rental business. In the background...
Niigata’s Kiyotsukyo Gorge is famous for its outstanding natural beauty. Now, the power of art has transformed an old tunnel in Kiyotsukyo Gorge into an attractive site for people to visit – a Tunnel of Light. The region is famous for its rice...