5th anniv. of western Japan rain disaster

5th anniv. of western Japan rain disaster

People observe a moment of silence during a memorial ceremony at Asakita Ward office in the western Japan city of Hiroshima on July 6, 2023, the fifth anniversary of torrential rain that caused flooding and mudslides, claiming the lives of over 300 people in 14 prefectures.

5th anniv. of western Japan rain disaster

5th anniv. of western Japan rain disaster

Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui (far R) delivers a speech at a memorial ceremony in the western Japanese city's Asakita Ward office on July 6, 2023, the fifth anniversary of torrential rain that caused flooding and mudslides, claiming the lives of over 300 people in 14 prefectures.

110 tons of medical waste dumped in Hiroshima

110 tons of medical waste dumped in Hiroshima

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Plastic containers filled with infectious medical waste are left unattended inside the compound of an industrial waste incinerating facility in Hiroshima's Asakita Ward. About 110 tons of medical wastes packed into some 11,000 containers have been found inside the compound. The police say the medical waste, such as used syringes, blood transfusion tubes and medical masks, was collected by the Osaka-based garbage disposal company Kotoku from several medical institutions in Osaka Prefecture. Kotoku allegedly subcontracted -- without government approval -- the disposal to various garbage disposal operators in Tottori and Hiroshima prefectures and the medical waste ended up in the disposal facility. The police are investigating the case on suspicion of industrial waste law violation. (Photo taken on Aug. 18)

Landslide disaster in Hiroshima

Landslide disaster in Hiroshima

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Residents of the landslide-hit area of Asakita Ward in the city of Hiroshima, western Japan, work to clear up debris on Aug. 21, 2014.

110 tons of medical waste dumped in Hiroshima

110 tons of medical waste dumped in Hiroshima

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Plastic containers filled with infectious medical waste are left unattended inside the compound of an industrial waste incinerating facility in Hiroshima's Asakita Ward. About 110 tons of medical wastes packed into some 11,000 containers have been found inside the compound. The police say the medical waste, such as used syringes, blood transfusion tubes and medical masks, was collected by the Osaka-based garbage disposal company Kotoku from several medical institutions in Osaka Prefecture. Kotoku allegedly subcontracted -- without government approval -- the disposal to various garbage disposal operators in Tottori and Hiroshima prefectures and the medical waste ended up in the disposal facility. The police are investigating the case on suspicion of industrial waste law violation. (Photo taken on Aug. 18) (Kyodo)

Landslide disaster in Hiroshima

Landslide disaster in Hiroshima

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Residents of the landslide-hit area of Asakita Ward in the city of Hiroshima, western Japan, work to clear up debris on Aug. 21, 2014. (Kyodo)

Torrential rains in western Japan

Torrential rains in western Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 9, 2018, shows a mud-covered area of Asakita Ward in Hiroshima following torrential rains that hit a wide area of western Japan.(Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Torrential rains in western Japan

Torrential rains in western Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 9, 2018, shows a mud-covered residential area in Asakita Ward in Hiroshima following torrential rains that hit a wide area of western Japan.(Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Torrential rains in western Japan

Torrential rains in western Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 9, 2018, shows a mud-covered area of Asakita Ward in Hiroshima following torrential rains that hit a wide area of western Japan.(Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Torrential rains

Torrential rains

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 7, 2018, shows buildings damaged by a landslide in Asakita Ward in Hiroshima following torrential rains that hit a wide area of western Japan. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo