Japan: Construction Scaffolding Collapses in Chiba Amid Tornado Warning

A construction scaffolding collapsed at a shopping center in Chiba City, Japan, around 10:30 p.m. on Friday, October 31, after strong winds hit the area while a tornado warning was in effect. No injuries were reported.

Actor and novelist Midori Utsumi

Actor and novelist Midori Utsumi

TOKYO, Japan, May 16 Kyodo - Japanese actor and novelist Midori Utsumi attends a press conference at Akasaka Prince Hotel in Tokyo on July 19, 1983.

Actor and novelist Midori Utsumi

Actor and novelist Midori Utsumi

TOKYO, Japan, May 16 Kyodo - Japanese actor and novelist Midori Utsumi attends a press conference at Nakameguro Kinkero Theater in Tokyo on May 10, 2015, following the death of her husband and actor, Kinya Aikawa, who was based at the theater, on April 15, 2015.

Walt Disney Company Emmy Awards Party - LA

Walt Disney Company Emmy Awards Party - LA

Midori Francis, At The Walt Disney Company Emmy Awards Party at Otium in Los Angeles, CA, USA on January 15, 2024. Photo by Fati S/ABACAPRESS.COM

Walt Disney Company Emmy Awards Party - LA

Walt Disney Company Emmy Awards Party - LA

Midori Francis, At The Walt Disney Company Emmy Awards Party at Otium in Los Angeles, CA, USA on January 15, 2024. Photo by Fati S/ABACAPRESS.COM

Walt Disney Company Emmy Awards Party - LA

Walt Disney Company Emmy Awards Party - LA

Midori Francis, At The Walt Disney Company Emmy Awards Party at Otium in Los Angeles, CA, USA on January 15, 2024. Photo by Fati S/ABACAPRESS.COM

Barbershop with the window frame blown off

Barbershop with the window frame blown off

A barbershop in Midori-machi (now Nishimidori-machi in Minami Ward) destroyed by the blast, with the window frame blown off and the interior, including mirrors, shattered. It was the home-cum-shop of Yoshito Matsushige, a photographer who took this picture. The barbershop was run by his younger sister and her husband, and Sumie, Matsushige's then 29-year-old wife, who appears in the scene, helped them with the business. Sumie was pregnant at the time and gave birth to their second daughter the following year. His eldest daughter and parents were evacuated to Omishima Island in Ehime Prefecture at the time. (Distance from hypocenter 2800 meters.) Photo: Yoshito Matsushige, Collection: Photo Archives of Japan, Ownership: Chugoku Shimbun, **Editorial use only, commercial use not possible**,Credit: Chugoku Shimbun/Kyodo News Images

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards - LA

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards - LA

American actress Midori Francis arrives at the 21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on December 16, 2023 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Photo by Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/ABACAPRESS.COM

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards - LA

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards - LA

American actress Midori Francis arrives at the 21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on December 16, 2023 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Photo by Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/ABACAPRESS.COM

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards - LA

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards - LA

American actress Midori Francis arrives at the 21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on December 16, 2023 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Photo by Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/ABACAPRESS.COM

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards - LA

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards - LA

American actress Midori Francis arrives at the 21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on December 16, 2023 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Photo by Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/ABACAPRESS.COM

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards - LA

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards - LA

American actress Midori Francis arrives at the 21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on December 16, 2023 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Photo by Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/ABACAPRESS.COM

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards - LA

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards - LA

American actress Midori Francis arrives at the 21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on December 16, 2023 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Photo by Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/ABACAPRESS.COM

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards - LA

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards - LA

American actress Midori Francis arrives at the 21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on December 16, 2023 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Photo by Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/ABACAPRESS.COM

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards - LA

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards - LA

American actress Midori Francis arrives at the 21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on December 16, 2023 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Photo by Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/ABACAPRESS.COM

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards - LA

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards - LA

American actress Midori Francis arrives at the 21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on December 16, 2023 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Photo by Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/ABACAPRESS.COM

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards - LA

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards - LA

American actress Midori Francis arrives at the 21st Annual Unforgettable Gala Asian American Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on December 16, 2023 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Photo by Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/ABACAPRESS.COM

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala - LA

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala - LA

Midori Francis 21st Annual Unforgettable Gala The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA, USA on December 16 2023. Photo by Fati S/ABACAPRESS.COM

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala - LA

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala - LA

Midori Francis 21st Annual Unforgettable Gala The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA, USA on December 16 2023. Photo by Fati S/ABACAPRESS.COM

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala - LA

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala - LA

Midori Francis at 21st Annual Unforgettable Gala The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA, USA on December 16 2023. Photo by Fati S/ABACAPRESS.COM

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala - LA

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala - LA

Midori Francis at 21st Annual Unforgettable Gala The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA, USA on December 16 2023. Photo by Fati S/ABACAPRESS.COM

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala - LA

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala - LA

Midori Francis at 21st Annual Unforgettable Gala The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA, USA on December 16 2023. Photo by Fati S/ABACAPRESS.COM

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala - LA

21st Annual Unforgettable Gala - LA

Midori Francis at 21st Annual Unforgettable Gala The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA, USA on December 16 2023. Photo by Fati S/ABACAPRESS.COM

Football: Paris Olympics qualifier

Football: Paris Olympics qualifier

Japan head coach Midori Honda gives instructions during a women's football Paris Olympics qualifier against Uzbekistan in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Oct. 29, 2023.

Scandal-hit ex-minister Matsushima to retain seat

Scandal-hit ex-minister Matsushima to retain seat

TOKYO, Japan - Former Justice Minister Midori Matsushima, a candidate of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in the lower house election, celebrates in her electoral district in Tokyo's Sumida Ward on the night of Dec. 14, 2014, after securing victory in the election. Matsushima resigned from the Cabinet post in October less than two months after assuming it over allegations of violating the election law by distributing paper fans to constituents in the past, which could count as a donation banned under the law.

Campaigning starts for general election

Campaigning starts for general election

TOKYO, Japan - Midori Matsushima, who is running in the Dec. 14 general election with the backing of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, waves to voters from a campaign car in Tokyo's Sumida Ward on Dec. 2, 2014, the first day of the official campaigning. Matsushima gave up her justice minister post over possible violation of the election law in October.

Elizabeth Saunders Home

Elizabeth Saunders Home

LOS ANGELES, United States - Kei LaFleur (L) and Midori Acker hold a photo of Miki Sawada, the founder of the Elizabeth Saunders Home in Japan. Both women spent time at the orphanage and met in person for the first time at Acker's home in Kerrville, Texas on Aug. 19, 2014.

Japan's new justice minister attends press conference

Japan's new justice minister attends press conference

TOKYO, Japan - Japan's new Justice Minister Yoko Kamikawa attends a press conference on Oct. 21, 2014, at her ministry in Tokyo following an attestation ceremony. She succeeded Midori Matsushima, who resigned the previous day over her distribution of free paper fans to voters in her district in possible violation of the election law.

Japanese PM Abe attends Cabinet meeting

Japanese PM Abe attends Cabinet meeting

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C) attends a Cabinet meeting with Akira Amari (L), minister in charge of economic revitalization, and Finance Minister Taro Aso at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Oct. 21, 2014, a day after two ministers -- Justice Minister Midori Matsushima and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yuko Obuchi -- stepped down.

Japan's new justice minister attends attestation ceremony

Japan's new justice minister attends attestation ceremony

TOKYO, Japan - Japan's new Justice Minister Yoko Kamikawa arrives at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Oct. 21, 2014, to attend an attestation ceremony. Kamikawa succeeded Midori Matsushima, who resigned the previous day over her distribution of free paper fans to voters in her district in possible violation of the election law.

Japanese PM Abe attends Cabinet meeting

Japanese PM Abe attends Cabinet meeting

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe heads to a Cabinet meeting at his office on Oct. 21, 2014, a day after two female ministers resigned. Justice Minister Midori Matsushima was accused of distributing free paper fans to voters in her district in possible violation of the election law, while Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yuko Obuchi was involved in a political funds scandal.

2 female ministers resign

2 female ministers resign

TOKYO, Japan - Yoko Kamikawa, who was picked by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to become justice minister, enters Abe's office in Tokyo on Oct. 20, 2014. Kamikawa will succeed Midori Matsushima, who resigned earlier in the day due to a money scandal.

2 female ministers resign

2 female ministers resign

TOKYO, Japan - Justice Minister Midori Matsushima announces her resignation due to a money scandal, at a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on Oct. 20, 2014. Matsushima distributed paper fans to voters in her electoral district, a possible violation of the election law.

2 female ministers resign

2 female ministers resign

TOKYO, Japan - Composite photo shows Justice Minister Midori Matsushima (R) and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yuko Obuchi announcing their resignations due to money scandals, at press conferences in Tokyo on Oct. 20, 2014. Matsushima distributed paper fans to voters in her electoral district, while Obuchi's political groups are suspected of having partially shouldered her supporters' expenses for theater outings, both possible violations of the election law.

2 female ministers resign

2 female ministers resign

TOKYO, Japan - Justice Minister Midori Matsushima announces her resignation due to a money scandal, at a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on Oct. 20, 2014. Matsushima distributed paper fans to voters in her electoral district, a possible violation of the election law.

2 female ministers resign

2 female ministers resign

TOKYO, Japan - Justice Minister Midori Matsushima bows after a press conference at the ministry in Tokyo on Oct. 20, 2014, at which she announced her resignation due to a money scandal. Matsushima distributed paper fans to voters in her electoral district, a possible violation of the election law.

2 female ministers resign

2 female ministers resign

TOKYO, Japan - Composite photo shows Justice Minister Midori Matsushima (L) and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yuko Obuchi during press conferences in Tokyo on Oct. 20, 2014, at which they announced their resignations due to money scandals. Matsushima distributed paper fans to voters in her electoral district, while Obuchi's political groups are suspected of having partially shouldered her supporters' expenses for theater outings, both possible violations of the election law.

2 female Cabinet ministers step down

2 female Cabinet ministers step down

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meets with reporters at his office on Oct. 20, 2014, after accepting the resignations of two female Cabinet ministers. Justice Minister Midori Matsushima was accused of distributing free paper fans to voters in her district in possible violation of the election law, while Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yuko Obuchi was involved in a political funds scandal.

2 female ministers step down

2 female ministers step down

TOKYO, Japan - Combined photo shows Justice Minister Midori Matsushima (L) and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yuko Obuchi, both of whom stepped down on Oct. 20, 2014. Matsushima was accused of distributing free paper fans to voters in her district in possible violation of the election law, while Obuchi was involved in a political funds scandal.

Japan's justice minister Matsushima to resign

Japan's justice minister Matsushima to resign

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken on Sept. 3, 2014, shows industry minister Yuko Obuchi (L) and Justice Minister Midori Matsushima heading to the Imperial Palace for the attestation ceremony following the Cabinet reshuffle of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Obuchi stepped down on Oct. 20, while it was reported that Matsushima has also decided to resign over her distribution of free paper fans to voters in her district in possible election law violation.

Japan's justice minister Matsushima to resign

Japan's justice minister Matsushima to resign

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken on Oct. 15, 2014, shows Justice Minister Midori Matsushima attending a Diet session, at which she was grilled over her distribution of free paper fans to voters in her district in possible election law violation. It was reported on Oct. 20 that she has decided to resign.

Justice minister faces criminal complaint

Justice minister faces criminal complaint

TOKYO, Japan - Justice Minister Midori Matsushima meets with reporters in Tokyo, Japan, on Oct. 17, 2014, as an opposition lawmaker filed a criminal complaint with prosecutors against her for alleged election law violation, arguing her action to distribute paper fans to her constituents could constitute a legally-banned "donation."

Justice Minister Matsushima faces criticism

Justice Minister Matsushima faces criticism

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Justice Minister Midori Matsushima attends a parliamentary panel session in Tokyo on Oct. 15, 2014. She withdrew her remarks in which she described questions from the opposition in the Diet as "noise."

Gathering on issue of abductions by N. Korea

Gathering on issue of abductions by N. Korea

AKITA, Japan - Midori Amanai, elder sister of Kahoru Kimura who went missing in 1960 in Akita at age 21, shows a quilt sent from supporters during a gathering to think about the issue of abductions by North Korea held in the northeastern Japanese city on Sept. 15, 2014. North Korea's involvement is suspected in the disappearance of Kimura.

Abe reshuffles Cabinet

Abe reshuffles Cabinet

TOKYO, Japan - Midori Matsushima, the newly appointed minister of justice, enters the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Sept. 3, 2014.

Woman waits for return of missing sister

Woman waits for return of missing sister

AKITA, Japan - Midori Amanai shows a picture of her younger sister Kahoru Kimura, who went missing in Akita in 1960 and may have been kidnapped by North Korean agents, during an event in the city on Aug. 11, 2014, organized by a local group supporting families of people abducted by North Korea.

Japanese confectioner's gold-winning candy making on display

Japanese confectioner's gold-winning candy making on display

NIIGATA, Japan - The candy making display by Japanese confectioner Midori Matsuda for which she won the gold medal in the 2014 Union of International Bakers and Confectioners Junior World Pastry Championship is exhibited at her school in Niigata on April 26, 2014. The competition was held in Taipei in March 2014.

Young patissiers show skills after winning int'l contests

Young patissiers show skills after winning int'l contests

NIIGATA, Japan - Mirina Ueno (L), an instructor at a culinary and confectionery school in the city of Niigata, and student Midori Matsuda demonstrate their skills at the school on April 26, 2014, after winning separate international confectionery contests.

Violonist Goto

Violonist Goto

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows Japanese violinist Midori Goto. An album featuring her won the Best Classical Compendium award at the Grammys on Jan. 26, 2014. Goto performed as a soloist in the violin concerto on the album entitled "Hindemith: Violinkonzert; Symphonic Metamorphosis; Konzertmusik," under the direction of Christoph Eschenbach.

Owl paintings by artists with disabilities

Owl paintings by artists with disabilities

NEW YORK, United States - Midori Kano (L), assistant director of Cavin-Morris Gallery, takes a look at owl paintings at the gallery in New York on Oct. 23, 2013. The gallery was hosting an exhibition running from Oct. 10 - Nov. 9 of owl-inspired works by artists with disabilities from Japan, Nepal, South Korea and other countries.