UK: Widespread Flooding Hits Greater Manchester Forcing Hundreds To Evacuate 4

Heavy rain caused severe flooding across Greater Manchester on New Year's Day forcing at least 13,000 people to evacuate. Emergency services declared a major incident.

Japan: Apartment Fire Erupts In Central Osaka

A fire broke out in a fifteen-story apartment building in central Osaka on Wednesday morning, September 18. The fire was mostly extinguished within an hour and, there have been no reports of injuries or anyone being trapped inside. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Lion King characters throw beans in Osaka

Lion King characters throw beans in Osaka

OSAKA, Japan - Performers from Shiki Theatre Co.'s musical "The Lion King" participate in an annual bean-throwing event atop Tsutenkaku tower in Osaka's Naniwa Ward, western Japan, on Feb. 1, 2013. People in Japan customarily throw beans to drive away demons and welcome good luck at traditional "setsubun" events in early February.

Typhoon Jelawat in Japan

Typhoon Jelawat in Japan

OSAKA, Japan - People walk in Osaka's Naniwa Ward on Sept. 30, 2012, struggling with the strong wind and rain caused by Typhoon Jelawat. The powerful typhoon made landfall on the main island of Honshu later that day.

Typhoon Jelawat in Japan

Typhoon Jelawat in Japan

OSAKA, Japan - Photo shows bicycles tumbled by strong wind due to Typhoon Jelawat in Osaka's Naniwa Ward on Sept. 30, 2012. The powerful typhoon made landfall on the main island of Honshu later that day.

"Kushikatsu" served in Osaka

"Kushikatsu" served in Osaka

OSAKA, Japan - A woman and her child pick up "kushikatsu," skewered pork cutlets, in the Shinsekai district in Osaka's Naniwa Ward on Sept. 4, 2012. One hundred sticks of kushikatsu were served free to celebrate the 100th anniversary in 2012 of the opening of Osaka's traditional landmark Tsutenkaku Tower.

Scattering peanuts at Tsutenkaku Tower

Scattering peanuts at Tsutenkaku Tower

OSAKA, Japan - People throw peanuts at the Tsutenkaku Tower in Osaka's Naniwa Ward, western Japan, on Feb. 1, 2012. People in Japan customarily throw beans to drive away demons and welcome good luck at traditional ''setsubun'' events in early February.

Osaka's Shinsekai to mark 100th anniversary in 2012

Osaka's Shinsekai to mark 100th anniversary in 2012

OSAKA, Japan - Photo taken on July 28, 2011, shows a banner hung on Tsutenkaku Tower announcing that the surrounding neighborhood of Shinsekai in Osaka's Naniwa Ward will mark its 100th anniversary in 2012.

Sumo apology

Sumo apology

OSAKA, Japan - Kitanoumi, the Japan Sumo Association's director in charge of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, visits the Naniwa Ward office in Osaka on Feb. 15, 2011, to apologize following the cancellation of the tournament amid a match-fixing scandal.

Sumo apology

Sumo apology

OSAKA, Japan - Kitanoumi, the Japan Sumo Association's director in charge of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, bows in apology to Hiroko Asano, the mayor of Osaka's Naniwa Ward, at the ward office on Feb. 15, 2011, following the cancellation of the tournament amid a match-fixing scandal.

'Maid cafe' waitresses entertain visitors to Osaka tower

'Maid cafe' waitresses entertain visitors to Osaka tower

OSAKA, Japan - Two waitresses at a ''maid cafe'' clad in miniskirts and aprons form the shape of a heart with their hands at Tsutenkaku Tower in Osaka's Naniwa Ward on May 10.

Osaka multi-tenant building fire kills 15

Osaka multi-tenant building fire kills 15

OSAKA, Japan - A predawn fire breaks out in a video house on the first floor of a seven-story building in Osaka's Naniwa Ward in Osaka on Oct. 1. The fire killed 15 people and seriously injured three others. The fire was put out in about an hour and a half after burning some 30 square meters of the floor.

Nintendo begins marketing updated Game Boy machine

Nintendo begins marketing updated Game Boy machine

OSAKA, Japan - People form a long queue at an electronic appliance shop in Osaka's Naniwa Ward on March 21 to buy Nintendo Co.'s Game Boy Advance, successor to the world's top-selling Game Boy handheld machine. Nintendo plans to produce a total of 1 million units of the new version by the end of March with a shipment target of 24 million units within the next year. The machine will be launched in the United States in June.

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower, where the yellow light was turned on for five consecutive days after the emergency declaration was lifted, as the infection spread again. (July 16, 2020, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower, where the yellow light was turned on for five consecutive days after the emergency declaration was lifted, as the infection spread again. (July 16, 2020, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower, where the yellow light was turned on for five consecutive days after the emergency declaration was lifted, as the infection spread again. (July 16, 2020, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower, where the yellow light was turned on for five consecutive days after the emergency declaration was lifted, as the infection spread again. (July 16, 2020, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower, where the yellow light was turned on for five consecutive days after the emergency declaration was lifted, as the infection spread again. (July 16, 2020, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower, where the yellow light was turned on for five consecutive days after the emergency declaration was lifted, as the infection spread again. (July 16, 2020, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower, where the yellow light was turned on for five consecutive days after the emergency declaration was lifted, as the infection spread again. (July 16, 2020, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower, where the yellow light was turned on for five consecutive days after the emergency declaration was lifted, as the infection spread again. (July 16, 2020, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower, where the yellow light was turned on for five consecutive days after the emergency declaration was lifted, as the infection spread again. (July 16, 2020, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower, where the yellow light was turned on for five consecutive days after the emergency declaration was lifted, as the infection spread again. (July 16, 2020, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower, where the yellow light was turned on for five consecutive days after the emergency declaration was lifted, as the infection spread again. (July 16, 2020, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in yellow due to the spread of new coronavirus infection

Tsutenkaku Tower, where the yellow light was turned on for five consecutive days after the emergency declaration was lifted, as the infection spread again. (July 16, 2020, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in green after achieving the "Osaka Model".

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in green after achieving the "Osaka Model".

On April 14, Osaka Prefecture changed its warning signal from yellow to green to show that it had achieved its own standard, the Osaka Model, for lifting the request for closure, and Tsutenkaku Tower and the Tower of the Sun were enveloped in green light. On this day, Osaka Prefecture cleared the conditions, including the positive rate of less than 7%, for seven consecutive days. The lights were changed from yellow, which means the countdown to the lifting of the ban, to green, which indicates the gradual lifting of the ban. (May 14, 2020, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in green after achieving the "Osaka Model".

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in green after achieving the "Osaka Model".

On April 14, Osaka Prefecture changed its warning signal from yellow to green to show that it had achieved its own standard, the Osaka Model, for lifting the request for closure, and Tsutenkaku Tower and the Tower of the Sun were enveloped in green light. On this day, Osaka Prefecture cleared the conditions, including the positive rate of less than 7%, for seven consecutive days. The lights were changed from yellow, which means the countdown to the lifting of the ban, to green, which indicates the gradual lifting of the ban. (May 14, 2020, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in green after achieving the "Osaka Model".

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in green after achieving the "Osaka Model".

On April 14, Osaka Prefecture changed its warning signal from yellow to green to show that it had achieved its own standard, the Osaka Model, for lifting the request for closure, and Tsutenkaku Tower and the Tower of the Sun were enveloped in green light. On this day, Osaka Prefecture cleared the conditions, including the positive rate of less than 7%, for seven consecutive days. The lights were changed from yellow, which means the countdown to the lifting of the ban, to green, which indicates the gradual lifting of the ban. (May 14, 2020, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in green after achieving the "Osaka Model".

Tsutenkaku Tower lit up in green after achieving the "Osaka Model".

On April 14, Osaka Prefecture changed its warning signal from yellow to green to show that it had achieved its own standard, the Osaka Model, for lifting the request for closure, and Tsutenkaku Tower and the Tower of the Sun were enveloped in green light. On this day, Osaka Prefecture clearedthe conditions, including the positive rate of less than 7%, for seven consecutive days. The lights were changed from yellow, which means the countdown to the lifting of the ban, to green, which indicates the gradual lifting of the ban. (May 14, 2020, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

The watertight board "Tomemi-chan" released by Hamaguchi Shokai

The watertight board "Tomemi-chan" released by Hamaguchi Shokai

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the annual number of rainfall events averaging more than 50 millimeters per hour nationwide averaged about 311 during 2009-18. This is about 40% more than the 226 times in the first 10 years of the statistical period, 1976-85. Small and medium-sized machinery-related companies believe that such data and the actual damage caused by the torrential rains in western Japan will increase demand for products that can be used to prepare for localized heavy rains such as "guerrilla rains. In June, Hamaguchi Shokai (Naniwa Ward, Osaka City) launched "Tomemi-chan," an aluminum watertight plate. According to Minoru Namba, deputy general manager of the sales department of Hamaguchi Shokai, its strength is its ease of installation at building entrances, "even women have no difficulty. Photo taken on June 7, 2019, location unknown, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

'Maid cafe' waitresses entertain visitors to Osaka tower

'Maid cafe' waitresses entertain visitors to Osaka tower

OSAKA, Japan - Two waitresses at a ''maid cafe'' clad in miniskirts and aprons form the shape of a heart with their hands at Tsutenkaku Tower in Osaka's Naniwa Ward on May 10. (Kyodo)

Osaka multi-tenant building fire kills 15

Osaka multi-tenant building fire kills 15

OSAKA, Japan - A predawn fire breaks out in a video house on the first floor of a seven-story building in Osaka's Naniwa Ward in Osaka on Oct. 1. The fire killed 15 people and seriously injured three others. The fire was put out in about an hour and a half after burning some 30 square meters of the floor. (Kyodo)

Sumo apology

Sumo apology

OSAKA, Japan - Kitanoumi, the Japan Sumo Association's director in charge of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, visits the Naniwa Ward office in Osaka on Feb. 15, 2011, to apologize following the cancellation of the tournament amid a match-fixing scandal. (Kyodo)

Sumo apology

Sumo apology

OSAKA, Japan - Kitanoumi, the Japan Sumo Association's director in charge of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, bows in apology to Hiroko Asano, the mayor of Osaka's Naniwa Ward, at the ward office on Feb. 15, 2011, following the cancellation of the tournament amid a match-fixing scandal. (Kyodo)

Osaka's Shinsekai to mark 100th anniversary in 2012

Osaka's Shinsekai to mark 100th anniversary in 2012

OSAKA, Japan - Photo taken on July 28, 2011, shows a banner hung on Tsutenkaku Tower announcing that the surrounding neighborhood of Shinsekai in Osaka's Naniwa Ward will mark its 100th anniversary in 2012. (Kyodo)

Scattering peanuts at Tsutenkaku Tower

Scattering peanuts at Tsutenkaku Tower

OSAKA, Japan - People throw peanuts at the Tsutenkaku Tower in Osaka's Naniwa Ward, western Japan, on Feb. 1, 2012. People in Japan customarily throw beans to drive away demons and welcome good luck at traditional ''setsubun'' events in early February. (Kyodo)

Nintendo begins marketing updated Game Boy machine

Nintendo begins marketing updated Game Boy machine

OSAKA, Japan - People form a long queue at an electronic appliance shop in Osaka's Naniwa Ward on March 21 to buy Nintendo Co.'s Game Boy Advance, successor to the world's top-selling Game Boy handheld machine. Nintendo plans to produce a total of 1 million units of the new version by the end of March with a shipment target of 24 million units within the next year. The machine will be launched in the United States in June.