Japan: Typhoon Bebinca Leaves Trail Of Damage In Amami, Kagoshima

Typhoon Bebinca, locally called Typhoon No. 13, hit Amami, Kagoshima on Saturday, September 14. It left trail of damage including blown off roof. A maximum instantaneous wind speed of 31.1 meters was recorded at 9 pm on the 14th.

70th anniv. of Amami Islands' return to Japan

70th anniv. of Amami Islands' return to Japan

Students attend a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the Amami Islands' reversion to Japan from U.S. rule at an elementary school in Amami in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 25, 2023.

70th anniv. of Amami Islands' return to Japan

70th anniv. of Amami Islands' return to Japan

People take part in a lantern procession in Amami in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 25, 2023, to mark the 70th anniversary of the Amami Islands' reversion to Japan from U.S. rule.

70th anniv. of Amami Islands' return to Japan

70th anniv. of Amami Islands' return to Japan

Fireworks light up the night sky above Amami in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 25, 2023, to mark the 70th anniversary of the Amami Islands' reversion to Japan from U.S. rule.

70th anniv. of Amami Islands' return to Japan

70th anniv. of Amami Islands' return to Japan

Fireworks light up the night sky above Amami in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 25, 2023, to mark the 70th anniversary of the Amami Islands' reversion to Japan from U.S. rule.

Butterflies overwintering on subtropical island

Butterflies overwintering on subtropical island

Photo taken on Jan. 9, 2023, on Amami-Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, shows Ceylon blue glassy tigers clustered on twigs to make it through the winter. The butterfly is found in Southeast Asia, including Taiwan and southwestern islands in Japan, and is known to cluster in groups when the temperature falls below 15 C.

Butterflies overwintering on subtropical island

Butterflies overwintering on subtropical island

Photo taken on Jan. 9, 2023, on Amami-Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, shows Ceylon blue glassy tigers clustered on twigs to make it through the winter. The butterfly is found in southeast Asia, including Taiwan and southwestern islands in Japan, and is known to cluster in groups when the temperature falls below 15 C.

Event to promote Kagoshima Pref.'s food held in Berlin

Event to promote Kagoshima Pref.'s food held in Berlin

BERLIN, Germany - A brewer (2nd from L) serves a glass of brown sugar shochu to a guest during an event at the Japanese ambassador's residence in Berlin on Oct. 6, 2014, to promote "wagyu" beef and other food produced in Kagoshima Prefecture and the prefecture's Amami Islands, southwestern Japan.

Kagoshima gov. gives toast with shochu in Berlin event

Kagoshima gov. gives toast with shochu in Berlin event

BERLIN, Germany - Kagoshima Gov. Yuichiro Ito (4th from L) gives a toast with brown sugar shochu from the prefecture's Amami Islands, during an event to promote the southwestern Japan Prefecture's food on Oct. 6, 2014, at the Japanese ambassador's residence in Berlin.

GSDF conducts drill to retake occupied islet

GSDF conducts drill to retake occupied islet

SETOUCHI, Japan - Ground Self-Defense Force personnel trained to protect Japan's remote islands conduct a landing exercise on an uninhabited island in the Amami Islands chain on May 22, 2014. A group of reporters was given access to the island retake drill.

GSDF conducts drill to retake occupied islet

GSDF conducts drill to retake occupied islet

SETOUCHI, Japan - Ground Self-Defense Force personnel trained to protect Japan's remote islands conduct a landing exercise on an uninhabited island in the Amami Islands chain on May 22, 2014. A group of reporters was given access to the island retake drill.

GSDF conducts drill to retake occupied islet

GSDF conducts drill to retake occupied islet

SETOUCHI, Japan - Ground Self-Defense Force personnel trained to protect Japan's remote islands conduct a landing exercise on an uninhabited island in the Amami Islands chain on May 22, 2014. A group of reporters was given access to the island retake drill.

GSDF conducts drill to retake occupied islet

GSDF conducts drill to retake occupied islet

SETOUCHI, Japan - Ground Self-Defense Force personnel trained to protect Japan's remote islands conduct a landing exercise on an uninhabited island in the Amami Islands chain on May 22, 2014. A group of reporters was given access to the island retake drill.

GSDF conducts drill to retake occupied islet

GSDF conducts drill to retake occupied islet

SETOUCHI, Japan - Ground Self-Defense Force personnel trained to protect Japan's remote islands conduct a landing exercise on an uninhabited island in the Amami Islands chain on May 22, 2014. A group of reporters was given access to the island retake drill.

GSDF conducts drill to retake occupied islet

GSDF conducts drill to retake occupied islet

SETOUCHI, Japan - Ground Self-Defense Force personnel trained to protect Japan's remote islands conduct a landing exercise on an uninhabited island in the Amami Islands chain on May 22, 2014. A group of reporters was given access to the island retake drill.

Chinese vessel near Senkakus

Chinese vessel near Senkakus

AMAMI, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News airplane shows a Chinese surveillance vessel in waters near the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea on Oct. 25, 2012. Chinese surveillance vessels entered Japan's territorial waters around the islands, claimed by China, for the first time in three weeks the same day, prompting Tokyo to lodge a "strong protest" with Beijing through diplomatic channels.

Chinese vessel near Senkakus

Chinese vessel near Senkakus

AMAMI, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News airplane shows a Chinese surveillance vessel and a Japan Coast Guard vessel in waters near the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea on Oct. 25, 2012. Chinese surveillance vessels entered Japan's territorial waters around the islands, claimed by China, for the first time in three weeks the same day, prompting Tokyo to lodge a "strong protest" with Beijing through diplomatic channels.

Pictorial book on rare plants in Amami published

Pictorial book on rare plants in Amami published

AMAMI, Japan - Hiroshi Yamashita, an amateur researcher of plants in Amami Islands, has published a Japanese pictorial book on wild plants in the tropical islands south of Kyushu, titled ''The Endangered Plants in Amami.'' The book features 150 species of rare plants that Yamashita has photographed over the past 30 years. Among them are a small ever-green shrub known as Vaccinium amamianum that grows on big trees and flowers of Nothapodytes amaminanus, which has recently been recognized as a new tree species native to Amami

Severe typhoon expected to engulf Okinawa, Amami Islands

Severe typhoon expected to engulf Okinawa, Amami Islands

AMAMI OSHIMA, Japan - Waves hit the shore of Amami Oshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Sept. 4 as a raging typhoon comes closer, threatening to pound Okinawa, surrounding islands and the Amami Islands later in the day.

(1)Typhoon likely to strike western Japan

(1)Typhoon likely to strike western Japan

AMAMI OSHIMA, Japan - High waves wash the coast of the Amami Islands, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Aug. 28 as powerful Typhoon Chaba, almost stalled in the Pacific, moves slowly northwest. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the typhoon may approach or strike the Amami Islands and western Japan between Aug. 29 and Aug. 30.

(3)Ceremony marks 50th anniversary of return of Amami islands

(3)Ceremony marks 50th anniversary of return of Amami islands

NAZE, Japan - About 1,000 people attending the ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the reversion of the Amami islands to Japan from the United States enjoy watching local dances.

(2)Ceremony marks 50th anniversary of return of Amami islands

(2)Ceremony marks 50th anniversary of return of Amami islands

NAZE, Japan - Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko wave at the audiences during the ceremony held in Naze, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Nov. 16 to mark the 50th anniversary of the reversion of the Amami islands to Japan from the United States.

(1)Ceremony marks 50th anniversary of return of Amami islands

(1)Ceremony marks 50th anniversary of return of Amami islands

NAZE, Japan - Emperor Akihito delivers a speech during the ceremony held in Naze, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Nov. 16 to mark the 50th anniversary of the reversion of the Amami islands to Japan from the United States. The emperor said, ''I hope people will enrich the islands by using their unique characters.''

Emperor proposes toast at celebration

Emperor proposes toast at celebration

NAZE, Japan - Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko propose toasts during celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the reversion of the Amami Islands held at a hotel in Naze, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Nov. 15.

Emperor, empress visit Kagoshima Pref.

Emperor, empress visit Kagoshima Pref.

KAGOSHIMA, Japan - Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrive at Kagoshima airport in Kagoshima Prefecture on Nov. 14 to attend a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the reversion of the Amami Islands to Japan.

Japan to issue silver coin to mark Amami Islands' anniversary

Japan to issue silver coin to mark Amami Islands' anniversary

TOKYO, Japan - Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa holds up at a press conference at the Finance Ministry in Tokyo on June 10 colored 1,000 yen silver coins to be issued to mark the 50th anniversary of the reversion of the Amami Islands to Japan from the United States.

(2)Typhoon Rusa hits Amami Islands

(2)Typhoon Rusa hits Amami Islands

AMAMI ISLANDS, Japan - High waves hit the town of Kasari in the Amami Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 29 as Typhoon Rusa was approaching the region.

(1)Typhoon Rusa hits Amami Islands

(1)Typhoon Rusa hits Amami Islands

AMAMI ISLANDS, Japan - Fishing boats in an Amami Islands port in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, are hit by rough waters on Aug. 29 as Typhoon Rusa was approaching the area.

U.S.-Japan joint military training

U.S.-Japan joint military training

The U.S. HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system (front) is pictured during joint training between the United States Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force on Aug. 31, 2022, in Amami in Japan's Kagoshima Prefecture. The training is aimed at preparing for the defense of remote islands.

U.S.-Japan joint military training

U.S.-Japan joint military training

The U.S. HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system (R) is pictured during joint training between the United States Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force on Aug. 31, 2022, in Amami in Japan's Kagoshima Prefecture. The training is aimed at preparing for the defense of remote islands.

Drone delivery test on southwestern Japan islands

Drone delivery test on southwestern Japan islands

A drone carrying merchandise takes off from Amami-Oshima Island in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kagoshima on June 29, 2022, to fly to a tiny inhabited island, part of the town of Setouchi in the prefecture, in a test to check the viability of delivering goods in the event of disasters and the cancellation of regular ferry services.

Drone delivery test on southwestern Japan islands

Drone delivery test on southwestern Japan islands

A drone arrives on a tiny inhabited island, part of the southwestern Japan town of Setouchi in Kagoshima Prefecture, on June 29, 2022, after leaving Amami-Oshima Island in the prefecture to test the viability of delivering merchandise in the event of disasters and the cancellation of regular ferry services.

Southwest Japan islands added to UNESCO World Heritage list

UNESCO decided Monday to add a chain of islands in southwestern Japan with dense subtropical forests to its natural World Heritage list, Japanese government officials said. The World Heritage Committee of the U.N. organization decided during an online session to list as Japan's fifth World Natural Heritage site the 43,000 hectare area, comprising Amami-Oshima Island and Tokunoshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture as well as the northern part of the main Okinawa Island and Iriomote Island in Okinawa Prefecture.

(1)Typhoon likely to strike western Japan

(1)Typhoon likely to strike western Japan

AMAMI OSHIMA, Japan - High waves wash the coast of the Amami Islands, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Aug. 28 as powerful Typhoon Chaba, almost stalled in the Pacific, moves slowly northwest. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the typhoon may approach or strike the Amami Islands and western Japan between Aug. 29 and Aug. 30. (Kyodo)

New police officers learn about fanged snake in southwest Japan

New police officers learn about fanged snake in southwest Japan

New officers at the Kagoshima prefectural police force's Amami station in southwestern Japan touch a "habu," a species of poisonous snake living mainly on Amami and Okinawa islands, during a workshop organized on Sept. 7, 2015, for those who were transferred this summer to Amami-Oshima Island. The station receives frequent calls from residents to get rid of the venomous snake. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Severe typhoon expected to engulf Okinawa, Amami Islands

Severe typhoon expected to engulf Okinawa, Amami Islands

AMAMI OSHIMA, Japan - Waves hit the shore of Amami Oshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Sept. 4 as a raging typhoon comes closer, threatening to pound Okinawa, surrounding islands and the Amami Islands later in the day. (Kyodo)

Pictorial book on rare plants in Amami published

Pictorial book on rare plants in Amami published

AMAMI, Japan - Hiroshi Yamashita, an amateur researcher of plants in Amami Islands, has published a Japanese pictorial book on wild plants in the tropical islands south of Kyushu, titled ''The Endangered Plants in Amami.'' The book features 150 species of rare plants that Yamashita has photographed over the past 30 years. Among them are a small ever-green shrub known as Vaccinium amamianum that grows on big trees and flowers of Nothapodytes amaminanus, which has recently been recognized as a new tree species native to Amami (Kyodo)

Southwestern Japan islands set to become World Heritage site

Southwestern Japan islands set to become World Heritage site

A road sign warning for wild Amami rabbits is pictured in Yamato on Amami-Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture on May 10, 2021. A UNESCO advisory panel recommended the same day that a chain of islands in southwestern Japan with dense subtropical forests, including Amami-Oshima Island, be added to the list of natural World Heritage sites.

Southwestern Japan islands set to become World Heritage site

Southwestern Japan islands set to become World Heritage site

Photo taken May 11, 2021, in Amami on Amami-Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture shows a mangrove forest. A UNESCO advisory panel recommended the previous day that a chain of islands in southwestern Japan with dense subtropical forests, including Amami-Oshima Island, be added to the list of natural World Heritage sites.

(2)Ceremony marks 50th anniversary of return of Amami islands

(2)Ceremony marks 50th anniversary of return of Amami islands

NAZE, Japan - Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko wave at the audiences during the ceremony held in Naze, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Nov. 16 to mark the 50th anniversary of the reversion of the Amami islands to Japan from the United States. (Kyodo)

(1)Ceremony marks 50th anniversary of return of Amami islands

(1)Ceremony marks 50th anniversary of return of Amami islands

NAZE, Japan - Emperor Akihito delivers a speech during the ceremony held in Naze, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Nov. 16 to mark the 50th anniversary of the reversion of the Amami islands to Japan from the United States. The emperor said, ''I hope people will enrich the islands by using their unique characters.'' (Kyodo)

Japan after coronavirus state-of-emergency lifting

Japan after coronavirus state-of-emergency lifting

Musicians sing a folk song from the Amami Islands, southern Japan, at a restaurant in Osaka on June 5, 2020. The restaurant, specializing in cuisine from the islands, resumed live folk song shows the same day following the May 25 lifting of the state of emergency declared over the novel coronavirus in Japan. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan after coronavirus state-of-emergency lifting

Japan after coronavirus state-of-emergency lifting

Musicians sing a folk song from the Amami Islands, southern Japan, at a restaurant in Osaka on June 5, 2020. The restaurant, specializing in cuisine from the islands, resumed live folk song shows the same day following the May 25 lifting of the state of emergency declared over the novel coronavirus in Japan. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

World Heritage Committee session postponed due to coronavirus

World Heritage Committee session postponed due to coronavirus

File photo taken April 28, 2018 shows an Amami rabbit on Amami-Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture. A session of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee scheduled for June 2020 in China, at which the proposed registration of a chain of Japanese southwestern islands including Amami-Oshima was to be discussed, has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

(3)Ceremony marks 50th anniversary of return of Amami islands

(3)Ceremony marks 50th anniversary of return of Amami islands

NAZE, Japan - About 1,000 people attending the ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the reversion of the Amami islands to Japan from the United States enjoy watching local dances. (Kyodo)

Emperor proposes toast at celebration

Emperor proposes toast at celebration

NAZE, Japan - Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko propose toasts during celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the reversion of the Amami Islands held at a hotel in Naze, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Nov. 15. (Kyodo)

Japan to issue silver coin to mark Amami Islands' anniversary

Japan to issue silver coin to mark Amami Islands' anniversary

TOKYO, Japan - Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa holds up at a press conference at the Finance Ministry in Tokyo on June 10 colored 1,000 yen silver coins to be issued to mark the 50th anniversary of the reversion of the Amami Islands to Japan from the United States. (Kyodo)

(2)Typhoon Rusa hits Amami Islands

(2)Typhoon Rusa hits Amami Islands

AMAMI ISLANDS, Japan - High waves hit the town of Kasari in the Amami Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 29 as Typhoon Rusa was approaching the region.

(1)Typhoon Rusa hits Amami Islands

(1)Typhoon Rusa hits Amami Islands

AMAMI ISLANDS, Japan - Fishing boats in an Amami Islands port in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, are hit by rough waters on Aug. 29 as Typhoon Rusa was approaching the area. (Kyodo)