Water lilies at Ohara museum in western Japan

Water lilies at Ohara museum in western Japan

Water lilies, grown from those at painter Claude Monet's garden in Giverny, France, bloom at Ohara Museum of Art in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on June 13, 2024.

[Breaking News]Anti-disaster park in Okayama

KURASHIKI, Japan, July 4 Kyodo - Video taken on July 3, 2024, in an area heavily hit by the July 2018 heavy rain in Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, shows a facility in a just opened park used for anti-disaster education and as an evacuation center in the event of a disaster. The park, designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, is seen as a symbol of reconstruction from the disaster, which left over 200 people dead in wide areas of western Japan, including over 70 in Kurashiki. (Kyodo)

Anti-disaster park in Okayama

Anti-disaster park in Okayama

Photo taken on July 3, 2024, in an area heavily hit by the July 2018 heavy rain in Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, shows a facility in a just opened park used for anti-disaster education and as an evacuation center in the event of a disaster. The park, designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, is seen as a symbol of reconstruction from the disaster, which left over 200 people dead in wide areas of western Japan, including over 70 in Kurashiki.

Anti-disaster park in Okayama

Anti-disaster park in Okayama

Photo taken on July 3, 2024, in an area heavily hit by the July 2018 heavy rain in Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, shows a facility in a just opened park used for anti-disaster education and as an evacuation center in the event of a disaster. The park, designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, is seen as a symbol of reconstruction from the disaster, which left over 200 people dead in wide areas of western Japan, including over 70 in Kurashiki.

KURASHIKI KAKO CO., LTD Signs and logos

KURASHIKI KAKO CO., LTD Signs and logos

KURASHIKI KAKO CO., LTD Signs and logos (Photo taken at the Automotive Engineering Exposition 2024) ＝Kanagawa, Japan, May 22, 2024.

Shine Muscat grape

OKAYAMA,Japan, June 2 Kyodo -Video taken on June 2, 2024, shows Shine Muscat grape just before the season's first shipment in the Okayama Prefecture city of Kurashiki, western Japan.(Kyodo)

Shine Muscat grape

Shine Muscat grape

Photo taken on June 2, 2024, shows Shine Muscat grape just before the season's first shipment in the Okayama Prefecture city of Kurashiki, western Japan.

Muscat of Alexandria grape

Muscat of Alexandria grape

Photo taken on June 2, 2024, shows Muscat of Alexandria grape just before the season's first shipment in the Okayama Prefecture city of Kurashiki, western Japan.

Japanese emperor, empress visit flood-hit area in Okayama

Japanese emperor, empress visit flood-hit area in Okayama

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (C, L) and Empress Masako (C, R) talk with a man affected by the July 2018 flood during a visit to a park built after the disaster in Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 26, 2024. The flood caused by torrential rains killed over 50 people in the region.

Japanese emperor, empress visit flood-hit area in Okayama

Japanese emperor, empress visit flood-hit area in Okayama

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (C) and Empress Masako talk with a man affected by the July 2018 flood during a visit to a park built after the disaster in Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 26, 2024. The flood caused by torrential rains killed over 50 people in the region.

Japanese emperor, empress visit flood-hit area in Okayama

Japanese emperor, empress visit flood-hit area in Okayama

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (C, L) and Empress Masako bow at a park built after the July 2018 flood in Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 26, 2024. The flood caused by torrential rains killed over 50 people in the region. (Pool photo)

Japanese emperor, empress visit flood-hit area in Okayama

Japanese emperor, empress visit flood-hit area in Okayama

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R) and Empress Masako visit a park built after the July 2018 flood in Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 26, 2024. The flood caused by torrential rains killed over 50 people in the region.

Japanese emperor, empress visit flood-hit area in Okayama

Japanese emperor, empress visit flood-hit area in Okayama

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (C) and Empress Masako visit an area hit by the July 2018 flood in Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on May 26, 2024. The flood caused by torrential rains killed over 50 people in the region. (Pool photo)

EU Commissioner Nicolas Schmit in Tokyo

EU Commissioner Nicolas Schmit in Tokyo

Nicolas Schmit, European Union commissioner in charge of jobs and social rights, gives an interview in Tokyo on April 25, 2023. He was visiting Japan to attend the Group of Seven labor ministers' meeting held in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 22-23.

Exhibition facility for flying vehicle

Exhibition facility for flying vehicle

Photo taken on Nov. 9, 2023, shows a facility permanently exhibiting a flying vehicle in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, a day ahead of its opening to the public. Local entity MASC, which operates the facility, succeeded in achieving Japan's first outdoor manned flight using the vehicle in February 2023.

Exhibition facility for flying vehicle

Exhibition facility for flying vehicle

A flying vehicle is displayed during a press preview for a permanent exhibit in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Nov. 9, 2023, a day ahead of its opening to the public. Local entity MASC, which operates the facility, succeeded in achieving Japan's first outdoor manned flight using the vehicle in February 2023.

Scene in western Japan city of Kurashiki

Scene in western Japan city of Kurashiki

Photo taken on Sept. 3, 2023, shows a designated aesthetic area in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan.

Scene in western Japan city of Kurashiki

Scene in western Japan city of Kurashiki

Photo taken on Sept. 3, 2023, shows a designated aesthetic area in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan.

5th anniv. of western Japan rain disaster

5th anniv. of western Japan rain disaster

A memorial ceremony is held in Kurashiki in the western Japan prefecture of Okayama 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

People observe a moment of silence at a memorial ceremony in Kurashiki in the western Japan prefecture of Okayama 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

A memorial ceremony is held in Kurashiki in the western Japan prefecture of Okayama 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

People offer flowers at a memorial ceremony in Kurashiki in the western Japan prefecture of Okayama 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.

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

The Group of Seven labor and employment ministers pose during a photo session following a two-day meeting in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 23, 2023.

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

Japanese Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato speaks at a press conference following a two-day meeting of the Group of Seven labor and employment ministers in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 23, 2023.

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

Japanese Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato speaks at a press conference following a two-day meeting of the Group of Seven labor and employment ministers in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 23, 2023.

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

Japanese Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato speaks at a press conference following a two-day meeting of the Group of Seven labor and employment ministers in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 23, 2023.

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

Japanese Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato speaks at a press conference following a two-day meeting of the Group of Seven labor and employment ministers in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 23, 2023.

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

Japanese Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato speaks at a press conference following a two-day meeting of the Group of Seven labor and employment ministers in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 23, 2023.

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

Tomoko Yoshino (3rd from R), president of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, known as Rengo, hands a set of proposals to Japanese Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato during the first day of a two-day Group of Seven labor and employment ministers' meeting Kato chairs in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 22, 2023.

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

Japanese Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato (5th from L) and other participants of a two-day Group of Seven labor and employment ministers' meeting in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, pose during a photo session on the first day on April 22, 2023.

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

Japanese Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato (5th from L) and other participants of a two-day Group of Seven labor and employment ministers' meeting in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, pose during a photo session on the first day on April 22, 2023.

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

A two-day meeting of the Group of Seven labor and employment ministers begins in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 22, 2023.

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

Japanese Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato speaks on the first day of a two-day Group of Seven labor and employment ministers' meeting in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 22, 2023.

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

A two-day meeting of the Group of Seven labor and employment ministers begins in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 22, 2023.

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

Japanese Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato (C) speaks on the first day of a two-day Group of Seven labor and employment ministers' meeting in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 22, 2023.

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

Japanese Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato speaks at a welcome reception for the participants of the Group of Seven labor and employment ministers' meeting in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 21, 2023, a day before the two-day meeting opens.

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

A welcome reception for the participants of the Group of Seven labor and employment ministers' meeting is held in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 21, 2023, a day before the two-day meeting opens.

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

G-7 labor ministers' meeting in Kurashiki

A welcome reception for the participants of the Group of Seven labor and employment ministers' meeting is held in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 21, 2023, a day before the two-day meeting opens.

Torrential rain in western Japan

Torrential rain in western Japan

KURASHIKI, Japan, July 13 Kyodo - People sort relief supplies in a school gymnasium in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, on July 13, 2018, after parts of the city were flooded following torrential rain in a wide area of western Japan.

G-7 ministers meet in Japan to discuss education cooperation

G-7 ministers meet in Japan to discuss education cooperation

KURASHIKI, Japan, May 14 Kyodo - Education ministers from the Group of Seven industrialized nations begin talks in Kurashiki, Japan, on May 14, 2016, on such global issues as refugees and the widening divide between rich and poor. (Pool photo)

Retired figure skater Takahashi cited by Kurashiki

Retired figure skater Takahashi cited by Kurashiki

OKAYAMA, Japan - Retired figure skater Daisuke Takahashi (R), Vancouver Olympic bronze medalist, receives a special merit award from Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture on Dec. 6, 2014, handed to him by Kurashiki Mayor Kaori Ito (L). Takahashi hails from the western Japanese city.

Inukai’s letter concerning militarism discovered

Inukai’s letter concerning militarism discovered

OKAYAMA, Japan - A newly discovered letter, sent by Tsuyoshi Inukai, Japan窶冱 prime minister in 1931-1932, to a friend of his to express concern about the nation窶冱 rising militarism, discovered in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, is photographed on May 15, 2014.

3 years after Japan quake-tsunami

3 years after Japan quake-tsunami

KURASHIKI, Japan - Players of the Rakuten Eagles offer a moment of silence before practice in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on March 11, 2014, the third anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. The professional baseball team is based in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, a northeastern Japanese city hit hard by the disaster.

3 years since quake-tsunami disaster

3 years since quake-tsunami disaster

KURASHIKI, Japan - Players of the Rakuten Eagles, a professional baseball club based in the northeastern city of Sendai hit hard by the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami, offer silent prayers before their practice in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, on March 11, 2014, three years after the disaster.

Nissan, M'bishi start manufacturing jointly developed minicar

Nissan, M'bishi start manufacturing jointly developed minicar

KURASHIKI, Japan - Toshiyuki Shiga (L), chief operating officer of Nissan Motor Co., and Osamu Masuko, president of Mitsubishi Motors Corp., shake hands during a press conference in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, on May 20, 2013. The two automakers started manufacturing the same day a jointly developed minivehicle that will be introduced on June 6 across Japan.

Mitsubishi Motors to trim domestic production

Mitsubishi Motors to trim domestic production

OSAKA, Japan - Photo from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Mitsubishi Motors Corp.'s Mizushima plant in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 22, 2013. The automaker said the same day it will trim its annual domestic production capacity by around 20 percent, consolidating four production lines at the main factory into two around December 2013.

Mitsubishi Motors to trim domestic production

Mitsubishi Motors to trim domestic production

OSAKA, Japan - Photo from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Mitsubishi Motors Corp.'s Mizushima plant in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 22, 2013. The automaker said the same day it will trim its annual domestic production capacity by around 20 percent, consolidating four production lines at the main factory into two around December 2013.

Mitsubishi Motors to trim domestic production

Mitsubishi Motors to trim domestic production

OSAKA, Japan - Photo from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Mitsubishi Motors Corp.'s Mizushima plant in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on April 22, 2013. The automaker said the same day it will trim its annual domestic production capacity by around 20 percent, consolidating four production lines at the main factory into two around December 2013.

Tunnel flood at refinery

Tunnel flood at refinery

OKAYAMA, Japan - Divers resume their search on Feb. 8, 2012, for five workers missing after seawater flooded an undersea tunnel under construction the previous day at JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corp.'s Mizushima oil refinery in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture.

Tunnel flood at refinery

Tunnel flood at refinery

KURASHIKI, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Feb. 8, 2012, shows divers resuming their search for five workers missing after seawater flooded an undersea tunnel under construction the previous day at JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corp.'s Mizushima oil refinery in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture.