Strong typhoon heading toward southwestern Japan

Strong typhoon heading toward southwestern Japan

A tree is toppled by strong winds in Makurazaki in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 28, 2024, due to the approach of Typhoon Shanshan.

Strong typhoon heading toward southwestern Japan

Strong typhoon heading toward southwestern Japan

High waves are observed along the shore in Makurazaki in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 28, 2024, due to the approach of Typhoon Shanshan.

Strong typhoon heading toward southwestern Japan

Strong typhoon heading toward southwestern Japan

High waves are observed along the shore in Makurazaki in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 28, 2024, due to the approach of Typhoon Shanshan.

Strong typhoon heading toward southwestern Japan

Strong typhoon heading toward southwestern Japan

High waves are observed along the shore in Makurazaki in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 28, 2024, due to the approach of Typhoon Shanshan.

Heavy rain in southwestern Japan

MAKURAZAKI, Japan, May 28 Kyodo - Heavy rain is observed in Makurazaki in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on May 28, 2024, as the Japan Meteorological Agency warned of possible linear rain belts, which can bring torrential downpours. (Kyodo)

Heavy rain in southwestern Japan

Heavy rain in southwestern Japan

Heavy rain is observed in Makurazaki in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on May 28, 2024, as the Japan Meteorological Agency warned of possible linear rain belts, which can bring torrential downpours.

Heavy rain in southwestern Japan

Heavy rain in southwestern Japan

Heavy rain is observed in Makurazaki in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on May 28, 2024, as the Japan Meteorological Agency warned of possible linear rain belts, which can bring torrential downpours.

2 Japan cities "marry" to combine specialties

2 Japan cities "marry" to combine specialties

MATSUE, Japan - The mayor of Izumo (C), Shimane Prefecture, western Japan, acts as a go-between in the "marriage" of two cities - Makurazaki, Kagoshima Prefecture, known for dried bonito flakes, and Wakkanai, Hokkaido, known for dried kelp - as "man-and-wife cities" on Feb. 19, 2014, in an effort to promote each other's specialties and revitalize local economic activity. A signing ceremony involving Izumo Mayor Hideto Nagaoka, Makurazaki Mayor Tadashi Kamisono (L) and Wakkanai Mayor Hiroshi Kudo (R) was held at the city hall in Izumo, home to Izumo Taisha, a Shinto shrine which many visit in hopes of making a good match.

Instructor begins across-the-country glider flight

Instructor begins across-the-country glider flight

MAKURAZAKI, Japan - A glider operated by Toru Ikeda, an instructor in Hokkaido, begins a flight across the Japanese archipelago from Makurazaki airport in the southern prefecture of Kagoshima on March 31, heading for Takigawa, Hokkaido. The 2,140-kilometer flight is the brainchild of a sky sports promotion group in Takigawa, Hokkaido, to promote gliding.

Tourist experiences bonito cooking in Kagoshima Pref.

Tourist experiences bonito cooking in Kagoshima Pref.

A tourist (L) experiences searing bonito in a cooking method known as "katsuo no tataki" (seared bonito), at a fish market in Makurazaki, Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, in April 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Instructor begins across-the-country glider flight

Instructor begins across-the-country glider flight

MAKURAZAKI, Japan - A glider operated by Toru Ikeda, an instructor in Hokkaido, begins a flight across the Japanese archipelago from Makurazaki airport in the southern prefecture of Kagoshima on March 31, heading for Takigawa, Hokkaido. The 2,140-kilometer flight is the brainchild of a sky sports promotion group in Takigawa, Hokkaido, to promote gliding. (Kyodo)

Japanese bonito flake makers open factory in France

Japanese bonito flake makers open factory in France

Katsuhiko Oishi, president of Makurazaki France Katsuobushi Co., a company specializing in making dried bonito flakes, speaks at a ceremony commemorating the completion of the company's factory in Concarneau, northwestern France, on Aug. 31, 2016. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japanese bonito flake maker opens factory in France

Japanese bonito flake maker opens factory in France

Katsuhiko Oishi (far L), president of Makurazaki France Katsuobushi Co., a company specializing in making dried bonito flakes, and Andre Fidelin (C), mayor of Concarneau, northwestern France, and other officials pose for a photo before cracking open a barrel of sake during a ceremony commemorating the completion of the company's factory in the city on Aug. 31, 2016. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo