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29th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

A man prays at a cenotaph decorated with needlework reading "prayer" to commemorate the victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake at a park in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, on Jan. 17, 2024, the 29th anniversary of the disaster in the western Japan city and its vicinity that killed more than 6,000 people.

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"Yuru-kyara" mascot contest begins in quake-hit city in western Japan

"Yuru-Kyara" mascots from various municipalities in Japan gather at Izanagi Shrine in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, on Oct. 27, 2023, as the three-day "Yuru-Verse" popularity contest begins in the western Japan city devastated by the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. The annual contest was launched after the March 2011 quake-tsunami disaster in northeastern Japan to give moral support to the affected regions.

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Iwate Pref. city mascot visits quake-hit city in Hyogo Pref.

Takata-no-Yumechan, the official mascot of Rikuzentakata, a northeastern Japan city hit by the March 2011 quake-tsunami disaster, prays at a memorial monument at a park in Awaji, a Hyogo Prefecture city devastated by the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, on Oct. 27, 2023.

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Iwate Pref. city mascot visits quake-hit city in Hyogo Pref.

Takata-no-Yumechan, the official mascot of Rikuzentakata, a northeastern Japan city hit by the March 2011 quake-tsunami disaster, offers flowers at a memorial monument at a park in Awaji, a Hyogo Prefecture city devastated by the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, on Oct. 27, 2023.

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Ukrainian evacuee dancers make donation

Ukrainian Ambassador to Japan Sergiy Korsunsky (2nd from R) speaks with ballet dancers who evacuated from war-hit Ukraine, in the western Japan city of Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, on Jan. 18, 2023. The dancers delivered the same day a cash donation raised through performances to help Ukraine.

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Ukrainian evacuee dancers make donation

Ukrainian Ambassador to Japan Sergiy Korsunsky (3rd from R) poses for a photo with ballet dancers who evacuated from war-hit Ukraine, in the western Japan city of Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, on Jan. 18, 2023. The dancers delivered the same day a cash donation raised through performances to help Ukraine.

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28th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

People float lanterns on a pond at a park in Awaji in Hyogo Prefecture on Jan. 17, 2023, the 28th anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,000 people.

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28th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

People pray for the victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake at a park in Awaji in Hyogo Prefecture on Jan. 17, 2023, the 28th anniversary of the disaster that struck the western Japan city and its vicinity, killing more than 6,000 people.

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Disabiled persons invited to Kobe Luminarie before opening

KOBE, Japan - People with disabilities attend Kobe Luminarie in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, on Dec. 2, 2014, before the official opening of the light festival on Dec. 4. The annual festival is held to commemorate the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake that hit western Japan in 1995.

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Tsunami symposium held ahead of temblor's 20th anniv.

OSAKA, Japan - A symposium is held in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Nov. 12, 2014, ahead of the 20th anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake to discuss preparedness for tsunami in case of a mega earthquake.

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Deputy mayor speaks at tsunami symposium in west Japan

OSAKA, Japan - Tadamitsu Wakasaki, deputy mayor of Kamaishi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, speaks about the city's experience in the 2011 killer earthquake and tsunami at a disaster management symposium in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Nov. 12, 2014.

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Mega solar power plant opens on Awaji Island

OSAKA, Japan - An opening ceremony is held for Energy Bank Japan Co.'s mega sola power plant on Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on April 14, 2014. The plant is capable of generating about 9,000 kW of electricity, enough for supply to some 2,800 homes a year.

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Mega solar power plant begins operating on Awaji Island

OSAKA, Japan - Energy Bank Japan Co. begins the full-fledged operation of a mega solar power plant on Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on April 14, 2014. The plant is capable of generating about 9,000 kW of electricity, enough for supply to some 2,800 homes a year.

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M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

AWAJI, Japan - A woman stands in a room of her house, where a sliding door of a closet came off, in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, following a strong earthquake on April 13, 2013. The 5:33 a.m. quake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.3 struck western Japan, injuring at least 23 people in five prefectures.

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M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

AWAJI, Japan - A phenomenon believed to be liquefaction is seen on a sidewalk in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, following a strong earthquake on April 13, 2013. The 5:33 a.m. quake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.3 struck western Japan, injuring at least 23 people in five prefectures.

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M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

AWAJI, Japan - A public library in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, is scattered with books on the floor following a strong earthquake on April 13, 2013. The 5:33 a.m. quake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.3 struck western Japan, injuring at least 23 people in five prefectures.

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M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

AWAJI, Japan - A fence of a house leans heavily in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, following a strong earthquake on April 13, 2013. The 5:33 a.m. quake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.3 struck western Japan, injuring at least 23 people in five prefectures.

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M6.3 quake jolts western Japan

AWAJI, Japan - A rental video store in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, is scattered with DVDs on the floor following a strong earthquake on April 13, 2013. The 5:33 a.m. quake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.3 struck western Japan, injuring at least 23 people in five prefectures.

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Japanese female pitcher joins camp

AWAJI, Japan - Eri Yoshida, 17, the first Japanese woman to have been granted the opportunity of playing professional baseball, arrives at a baseball stadium in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, to join the camp of the Kobe 9 Cruise baseball team of the Kansai independent league to be inaugurated in April.

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Events held to commemorate 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake

KOBE, Japan - People lit candles in about 7,000 memorial lanterns during an event held at Higashi Yuenchi Park in Kobe's Chuo Ward, Hyogo Prefecture, before daylight on Jan. 17 to commemorate the 6,434 people who died in the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995. At 5:46 a.m., the time the magnitude 7.3 quake originating in the northern part of the prefecture's Awaji Island in the Seto Inland Sea hit the western Japan area 14 years ago, about 5,500 people offered silent prayers in the event.

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Events held to commemorate 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake

KOBE, Japan - Three female junior high school students pray for the 6,434 people who died in the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995, during a memorial event held at Higashi Yuenchi Park in Kobe's Chuo Ward, Hyogo Prefecture, before daylight on Jan. 17. At 5:46 a.m., the time the magnitude 7.3 quake originating in the northern part of the prefecture's Awaji Island in the Seto Inland Sea hit the western Japan area 14 years ago, about 5,500 people offered silent prayers in the event at the park, where candles in about 7,000 memorial lanterns were lit.

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Memorial events held to mark 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake

AWAJI, Japan - People offer silent prayers for the victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in Awaji, Hyogo, on Jan. 17 to mark the 12th anniversary of the most devastating natural calamity in postwar Japan.

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Convenience stores target elderly to boost sales

OSAKA, Japan - An elderly customer relaxes on a massage chair at Lawson Inc.'s store for the elderly in the city of Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, in July.

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Lawson opens stores tailored for elderly

AWAJI, Japan - Convenience store operator Lawson Inc. has opened one of its outlets tailored for the elderly in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture (in photo), in the first attempt to serve the market segment among convenience store chains. Customers at the store check out what's on offer.

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Lawson opens stores tailored for elderly

AWAJI, Japan - Convenience store operator Lawson Inc. opens one of its outlets tailored for the elderly in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, in the first attempt to serve the market segment among convenience store chains. The other outlet is located in Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture.

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(2)Prince Naruhito, Princess Masako at greenery gathering

AWAJI ISLAND, Japan - Princess Masako plants an olive tree to commemorate the 14th national greenery protection gathering at Akashi Straits Park in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, on April 26.

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(1)Prince Naruhito, Princess Masako at greenery gathering

AWAJI ISLAND, Japan - Crown Prince Naruhito plants an olive tree to commemorate the 14th national greenery protection gathering at Akashi Straits Park in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, on April 26.

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'OB Summit' begins on Awaji Island to discuss int'l affairs

KOBE, Japan - Former Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa (L) and former West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt chat at the 19th plenary session of the InterAction Council, know as the ''OB Summit,'' on Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture, on May 13. Former government leaders from 16 countries gathered for the three-day session to discuss international affairs.

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Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

The world longest suspension bridge (3,911-meter-long) over the Akashi strait connecting Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture and Awaji Island. The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge's two towers, which rise 297 meters above the water, also are said to be the tallest of thier kind in the world. The bridge is scheduled to open to the public April 5. Construction began in May 1988.

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The second factory of Okada Shell Manufacturing introducing IT production control system.

Okada Shell Manufacturing (Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture) will introducean IT production management system to its No. 2 plant by December 2020. The investment will amount to about 20 million yen. The plant is the main production base near the main plant. The production plan will be reflected directly from the office to the production facilities in the plant, and the progress will be monitored in real time. Okada Shell Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is engaged in the production of cores, which are sand molds used to create cavities inside castings. Conventional paper-based production records have been prone to errors, but the company will automatically accumulate production data from its facilities and use the data to extract production conditions that realize high quality and to train young workers. In addition to the use of simulation equipment to analyze the core manufacturing method, the defect rate will be reduced from 5% to 2%. Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

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Mitutech's AI-Based Visual Inspection Support System

Mitsutec (Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture) has developed a visual inspection support system that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI). When the user wears the smart glasses, the system displays abnormalities such as dirt on the object to be inspected. Currently, the mechanization of inspection is progressing, but the final inspection often relies on visual inspection. In order to help pass on the skills of visual inspection, the company will appeal the use of this system mainly to those who have little experience in inspection. In preparation for the trial sales, the company will accumulate inspection image data in various lighting environments to improve the accuracy of AI judgment. Mitsutec has been building production lines on consignment for specific customers. In April, the company established a "New Business Department" within the company with a 10-person team to develop its own products. Image taken on September 13, 2019, location unknown, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

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Lawson opens stores tailored for elderly

AWAJI, Japan - Convenience store operator Lawson Inc. has opened one of its outlets tailored for the elderly in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture (in photo), in the first attempt to serve the market segment among convenience store chains. Customers at the store check out what's on offer. (Kyodo)

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Lawson opens stores tailored for elderly

AWAJI, Japan - Convenience store operator Lawson Inc. opens one of its outlets tailored for the elderly in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, in the first attempt to serve the market segment among convenience store chains. The other outlet is located in Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture. (Kyodo)

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Japanese female pitcher joins camp

AWAJI, Japan - Eri Yoshida, 17, the first Japanese woman to have been granted the opportunity of playing professional baseball, arrives at a baseball stadium in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, to join the camp of the Kobe 9 Cruise baseball team of the Kansai independent league to be inaugurated in April. (Kyodo)

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(1)Prince Naruhito, Princess Masako at greenery gathering

AWAJI ISLAND, Japan - Crown Prince Naruhito plants an olive tree to commemorate the 14th national greenery protection gathering at Akashi Straits Park in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, on April 26. (Kyodo)

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(2)Prince Naruhito, Princess Masako at greenery gathering

AWAJI ISLAND, Japan - Princess Masako plants an olive tree to commemorate the 14th national greenery protection gathering at Akashi Straits Park in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, on April 26. (Kyodo)

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Wheelchair-bound woman joins experimental tour aided by coordinators

Saya Kuramoto, shown in a wheelchair, is among participants in an experimental tour aided by coordinators held as part of the so-called "universal tourism" initiative on Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Feb. 17, 2015. Universal tourism is an attempt to make tours enjoyable to anyone including people with physical difficulties as well as the elderly. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Experimental tour of 'universal tourism' held on Awaji Island, west Japan

Hiroji Tsumura (L), who is blind, and wheelchair-bound Saya Kuramoto participate in an experimental tour aided by coordinators held as part of the so-called "universal tourism" initiative on Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, on Feb. 18, 2015. Universal tourism is an attempt to make tours enjoyable to anyone including people with physical difficulties as well as the elderly. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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(2) Akashi Kaikyo Bridge-arial

AKASHI, Japan - Akashi Kaikyo Bridge - the world longest suspension bridge (3,911-meter-long) over the Akashi strait connecting Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture and Awaji Island. Tha Akashi Kaikyo Bridge's two towers, which rise 297 meters above the water, also are said to be the tallest of thier kind in the world. The bridge is scheduled to open to the public on Apr, 5, Construction began in May 1988. (Photo taken from Kyodo Helicopter, March 4,1998) (Kyodo)

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Police raid Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi office over drug smuggling

Police officers raid the head office of crime syndicate Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, on March 8, 2016, in connection with the arrest of five members of the group on March 2 for allegedly smuggling about 100 kilograms of stimulant drugs with a street value of some 7 billion yen ($62 million) into Japan. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Puppeteers from Japan's Hyogo region perform at Expo Milano

Puppeteers from the Awaji district in Hyogo Prefecture perform a puppet theater play during a Japan pavilion event held at Expo Milano 2015 in Milan, Italy, on July 18, 2015, to showcase specialties from the western Japanese region. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Visitors to Japan pavilion at Expo Milano try out sample dishes

Visitors taste dishes of Kobe beef with onions from Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture during a Japan pavilion event held at Expo Milano 2015 in Milan, Italy, on July 18, 2015, to showcase specialties from the western Japanese region. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Japan's Hyogo region holds event at Expo Milano to show specialties

Hyogo Gov. Toshizo Ido (C) speaks at a Japan pavilion event held at Expo Milano 2015 in Milan, Italy, on July 18, 2015, to showcase specialties from the western Japanese prefecture of Hyogo such as Kobe beef and the Awaji puppet theater. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Yayoi period bronze bells found on Awaji Island

Ritual bronze bells from the Yayoi period (around the third century B.C. to third century A.D.) recently found in Minamiawaji, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, are shown on May 19, 2015. The third and fourth bells from the left each contain a smaller bell inside, while the second bell from the left had been found inside the bell in the left corner. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Yayoi period bronze bells found on Awaji Island

Ritual bronze bells from the Yayoi period (around the third century B.C. to third century A.D.) recently found in Minamiawaji, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, are shown on May 19, 2015. Two bells on the right both contain a smaller bell inside, while the second bell from the left had been found inside the bell in the left corner. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Mock golden key put into sea to open whirlpool tourism season

Naruto whirlpool ambassador Wakana Kishimoto (L) and Queen Awaji Mika Fujiwara hoist a mock golden key on March 7, 2015, before putting it into the western Japan sea between Naruto in Tokushima Prefecture and Awaji in Hyogo Prefecture in a ceremony marking the start of the tourism season to watch whirling waves in the Naruto Straight. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Ship sails by big whirlpool in Naruto Strait, western Japan

A passenger ship sails by whirling waves in the Naruto Strait off Tokushima Prefecture, western Japan, on March 7, 2015. The strait between Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture, and Naruto city, Tokushima Prefecture, is known for its spectacularly large whirlpools. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Typhoon Cimaron

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a fallen wind farm tower after it was blown over in Awaji, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, on Aug. 24, 2018, by winds triggered by Typhoon Cimaron. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Events held to commemorate 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake

KOBE, Japan - People lit candles in about 7,000 memorial lanterns during an event held at Higashi Yuenchi Park in Kobe's Chuo Ward, Hyogo Prefecture, before daylight on Jan. 17 to commemorate the 6,434 people who died in the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995. At 5:46 a.m., the time the magnitude 7.3 quake originating in the northern part of the prefecture's Awaji Island in the Seto Inland Sea hit the western Japan area 14 years ago, about 5,500 people offered silent prayers in the event. (Kyodo)

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Events held to commemorate 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake

KOBE, Japan - Three female junior high school students pray for the 6,434 people who died in the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995, during a memorial event held at Higashi Yuenchi Park in Kobe's Chuo Ward, Hyogo Prefecture, before daylight on Jan. 17. At 5:46 a.m., the time the magnitude 7.3 quake originating in the northern part of the prefecture's Awaji Island in the Seto Inland Sea hit the western Japan area 14 years ago, about 5,500 people offered silent prayers in the event at the park, where candles in about 7,000 memorial lanterns were lit. (Kyodo)