Comic author, Tottori governor promote local airport

Comic author, Tottori governor promote local airport

TOTTORI, Japan - Gosho Aoyama (R), author of the popular Japanese comic series "Case Closed" (previously known as "Detective Conan"), and Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai strike a pose in front of a poster drawn by Aoyama for Tottori Airport during an event in the cartoonist's hometown of Hokuei in the western Japan prefecture on Jan. 3, 2015. With Tottori known for its sand dunes, the airport will be nicknamed Tottori Sakyu (Dune) Conan Airport from March.

Farmers in Tottori Pref. begin exporting watermelons to H.K.

Farmers in Tottori Pref. begin exporting watermelons to H.K.

TOTTORI, Japan - Gov. Shinji Hirai (2nd from L) of Tottori Prefecture and Dole Japan Inc. President Yosuke Watanabe (extreme R) hold a watermelon with other officials in Hokuei in the western Japan prefecture on June 26, 2014, at a launch ceremony to export local watermelons to Hong Kong, China.

Japan exports watermelons to UAE for 1st time

Japan exports watermelons to UAE for 1st time

TOTTORI, Japan - A woman poses with a watermelon, which will be exported to the United Arab Emirates, at a watermelon market in the town of Hokuei, Tottori Prefecture, on June 13. The cargo of 54 watermelons, each weighing more than 12 kilograms and measuring about 30 centimeters in diameter, will be shipped from Narita airport on June 14 to the UAE.

Japan exports watermelons to UAE for 1st time

Japan exports watermelons to UAE for 1st time

TOTTORI, Japan - A woman poses with a watermelon, which will be exported to the United Arab Emirates, at a watermelon market in the town of Hokuei, Tottori Prefecture, on June 13. The cargo of 54 watermelons, each weighing more than 12 kilograms and measuring about 30 centimeters in diameter, will be shipped from Narita airport on June 14 to the UAE. (Kyodo)

Comic author, Tottori governor promote local airport

Comic author, Tottori governor promote local airport

TOTTORI, Japan - Gosho Aoyama (R), author of the popular Japanese comic series "Case Closed" (previously known as "Detective Conan"), and Tottori Gov. Shinji Hirai strike a pose in front of a poster drawn by Aoyama for Tottori Airport during an event in the cartoonist's hometown of Hokuei in the western Japan prefecture on Jan. 3, 2015. With Tottori known for its sand dunes, the airport will be nicknamed Tottori Sakyu (Dune) Conan Airport from March. (Kyodo)

M4.4 quake hits Tottori, no tsunami warning issued

M4.4 quake hits Tottori, no tsunami warning issued

Yohei Matsumoto (bottom R), senior vice minister of Japan's Cabinet Office, inspects the post-earthquake situation in Hokuei, Tottori Prefecture, on Oct. 29, 2016, about a week after a strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.6 hit the area. Another earthquake, with a preliminary magnitude of 4.4, hit Tottori on Oct. 29. No tsunami warning was issued. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo