Kawabata's early novel

Kawabata's early novel

FUKUOKA, Japan - Photo shows copies of a serialized novel titled "Utsukushii!" (Beautiful!) published in the 1920s in the southwestern Japan newspaper Fukuoka Nichinichi Shimbun. Researcher Takumi Ishikawa said Feb. 17, 2013, that the novel has been confirmed as an early work of Nobel laureate Yasunari Kawabata (1899-1972).

Kawabata's early novel

Kawabata's early novel

TOKYO, Japan - This 1966 file photo shows Nobel laureate Yasunari Kawabata (1899-1972). Researcher Takumi Ishikawa said Feb. 17, 2013, that a serialized novel titled "Utsukushii!" (Beautiful!), published in the 1920s in the southwestern Japan newspaper Fukuoka Nichinichi Shimbun, has been confirmed as an early work of Kawabata.

Crown prince speaks with young farmer in Miyazaki, southern Japan

Crown prince speaks with young farmer in Miyazaki, southern Japan

Crown Prince Naruhito (3rd from L), the eldest son of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, talks with a young farmer in Miyazaki Prefecture, southern Japan, in the prefectural capital of Miyazaki on Nov. 10, 2015. (Pool photo by Miyazaki Nichinichi Shimbun newspaper) (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

(3)3 Japanese taken captive by armed Iraqi group

(3)3 Japanese taken captive by armed Iraqi group

TOKYO, Japan - Soichiro Koriyama, one of the three Japanese taken captive by an armed group in Iraq. (Miyazaki Nichinichi Shinbun = Kyodo)

Remains of Japan's oldest rice paddies found in Miyazaki

Remains of Japan's oldest rice paddies found in Miyazaki

MIYAZAKI, Japan - Local authorities said Feb. 20 they have discovered the remains of one of Japan's oldest rice paddies in Miyakonojo, Miyazaki Prefecture. The 1,400-square-meter site (shown in photo provided by the Miyazaki Nichinichi Shimbun) is estimated to be the remains of rice paddies dating back to the fourth or fifth century B.C. Rice became the principal Japanese staple crop after it was introduced into the country from China or the Korean Peninsula.