Massive fire in southwestern Japan

OITA, Japan, Nov. 20 Kyodo - Smoke rises from a massive fire in a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita on Nov. 20, 2025. One person died and more than 170 buildings were damaged in the fire that started two days earlier. (Kyodo)

Aftermath of southwestern Japan fire

OITA, Japan, Nov. 27 Kyodo - Video shows the site of a massive fire in a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita, unveiled to the media on Nov. 27, 2025. One person died and more than 170 buildings were damaged in the fire that started on Nov. 18. (Kyodo)

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

OITA, Japan, Nov. 20 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the site of a massive fire in a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita on Nov. 19, 2025. (Kyodo)

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

OITA, Japan, Nov. 19 Kyodo - People watch smoke rising from a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita on the morning of Nov. 19, 2025, following a massive fire overnight that left a man in his 70s missing and more than 170 buildings damaged. (Kyodo)

Aftermath of southwestern Japan fire

Aftermath of southwestern Japan fire

Photo shows the site of a massive fire in a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita, unveiled to the media on Nov. 27, 2025. One person died and more than 170 buildings were damaged in the fire that started on Nov. 18.

Aftermath of southwestern Japan fire

Aftermath of southwestern Japan fire

Photo shows the site of a massive fire in a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita, unveiled to the media on Nov. 27, 2025. One person died and more than 170 buildings were damaged in the fire that started on Nov. 18.

Aftermath of southwestern Japan fire

Aftermath of southwestern Japan fire

Photo shows the site of a massive fire in a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita, unveiled to the media on Nov. 27, 2025. One person died and more than 170 buildings were damaged in the fire that started on Nov. 18.

Aftermath of southwestern Japan fire

Aftermath of southwestern Japan fire

Photo shows the site of a massive fire in a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita, unveiled to the media on Nov. 27, 2025. One person died and more than 170 buildings were damaged in the fire that started on Nov. 18.

Aftermath of southwestern Japan fire

Aftermath of southwestern Japan fire

Photo shows the site of a massive fire in a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita, unveiled to the media on Nov. 27, 2025. One person died and more than 170 buildings were damaged in the fire that started on Nov. 18.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Photo taken on Nov. 20, 2025, shows a temporary evacuation center in Oita following a massive fire that hit the southwestern Japan city's residential area.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Smoke rises from the site of a massive fire in a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita on Nov. 19, 2025.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the site of a massive fire in a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita on Nov. 19, 2025.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the site of a massive fire in a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita on Nov. 19, 2025.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the site of a massive fire in a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita on Nov. 19, 2025.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the site of a massive fire in a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita on Nov. 19, 2025.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows firefighting activity under way at the site of a massive fire in a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita on Nov. 19, 2025.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the site of a massive fire in a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita on Nov. 19, 2025.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Smoke rises from the site of a massive fire in a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita on Nov. 19, 2025. One person died and more than 170 buildings were damaged in the fire that started the previous day.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Smoke rises from a massive fire in a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita on Nov. 20, 2025. One person died and more than 170 buildings were damaged in the fire that started two days earlier.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Smoke rises from a massive fire in a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita on Nov. 20, 2025. One person died and more than 170 buildings were damaged in the fire that started two days earlier.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

People watch smoke rise from a massive fire in a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita on Nov. 20, 2025. One person died and more than 170 buildings were damaged in the fire that started two days earlier.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

A Japan Self-Defense Forces helicopter sprinkles water in an attempt to extinguish a massive fire in a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita on Nov. 20, 2025. One person died and more than 170 buildings were damaged in the fire that started two days earlier.

Japan: Massive Fire Rages in Oita, Leaving 1 Dead and Over 170 Buildings Damaged 2

A massive fire broke out in a residential area of Oita, in the Kyushu region, on Tuesday night, November 18, with local authorities reporting one man in his 70s missing, over 170 buildings damaged, and 350 homes without power. Firefighters have been battling the blaze as the prefecture prepares to request disaster relief from the Self-Defense Forces. Authorities have confirmed the death of one person, whose gender has not been identified, found among the burnt remains.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

People watch smoke and flames rising from a massive fire in a dense residential area in the southwestern Japan city of Oita on Nov. 18, 2025. Local authorities said a man in his 70s was missing and more than 170 buildings were damaged.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

People watch smoke and flames rising from a massive fire in a dense residential area in the southwestern Japan city of Oita on Nov. 18, 2025. Local authorities said a man in his 70s was missing and more than 170 buildings were damaged.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on the morning of Nov. 19, 2025, shows firefighters (bottom, R) trying to extinguish a blaze in a residential area in the southwestern Japan city of Oita following a massive fire overnight that left a man in his 70s missing and more than 170 buildings damaged.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on the morning of Nov. 19, 2025, shows a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita following a massive fire overnight that left a man in his 70s missing and more than 170 buildings damaged.

Major fire in southwestern Japan

Major fire in southwestern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on the morning of Nov. 19, 2025, shows a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita following a massive fire overnight that left a man in his 70s missing and more than 170 buildings damaged.

Major fire in southwestern Japan

Major fire in southwestern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on the morning of Nov. 19, 2025, shows a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita following a massive fire overnight that left a man in his 70s missing and more than 170 buildings damaged.

Major fire in southwestern Japan

Major fire in southwestern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on the morning of Nov. 19, 2025, shows a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita following a massive fire overnight that left a man in his 70s missing and more than 170 buildings damaged.

Major fire in southwestern Japan

Major fire in southwestern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on the morning of Nov. 19, 2025, shows a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita following a massive fire overnight that left a man in his 70s missing and more than 170 buildings damaged.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on the morning of Nov. 19, 2025, shows a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita following a massive fire overnight that left a man in his 70s missing and more than 170 buildings damaged.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on the morning of Nov. 19, 2025, shows a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita following a massive fire overnight that left a man in his 70s missing and more than 170 buildings damaged.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

People watch smoke rising from a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita on the morning of Nov. 19, 2025, following a massive fire overnight that left a man in his 70s missing and more than 170 buildings damaged.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Smoke rises from a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita in the morning of Nov. 19, 2025, following a massive fire overnight that left a man in his 70s missing and more than 170 buildings damaged.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

People watch smoke rising from a massive fire in a dense residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita on Nov. 18, 2025. Local authorities said a man in his 70s was missing and more than 170 buildings were damaged.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

People watch a massive fire in a dense residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita on Nov. 18, 2025. Local authorities said a man in his 70s was missing and more than 170 buildings were damaged.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

A massive fire breaks out in a dense residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita on Nov. 18, 2025. Local authorities said a man in his 70s was missing and more than 170 buildings were damaged.

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Massive fire in southwestern Japan

Intense flames emerge from a massive fire that burned out of control in a dense residential area in the southwestern Japan city of Oita on Nov. 18, 2025. Local authorities said a man in his 70s is missing and more than 170 buildings were damaged.

Japan: Massive Fire Rages in Oita, Leaving 1 Missing and Over 170 Buildings Damaged

A massive fire broke out in a residential area of Oita, in the Kyushu region, on Tuesday night, November 18, with local authorities reporting one man in his 70s missing, over 170 buildings damaged, and 350 homes without power. Firefighters have been battling the blaze as the prefecture prepares to request disaster relief from the Self-Defense Forces.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Murayama in 2024

Former Japanese Prime Minister Murayama in 2024

Former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama poses for a photo on Feb. 23, 2024, in the southwestern Japan city of Oita, ahead of his 100th birthday on March 3.

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

Japanese baseball legend Nagashima dies at 89

File photo taken March 3, 1995, shows Yomiuri Giants manager Shigeo Nagashima (R) and Daiei Hawks manager Sadaharu Oh shaking hands prior to a preseason baseball game in Oita, southwestern Japan. Nagashima, who was a key player on the Giants team that won nine consecutive Central League and Japan Series titles from 1965 to 1973 and later managed the club, died on June 3, 2025, aged 89.

Ex-marathon world record holder Terasawa dies at 90

Ex-marathon world record holder Terasawa dies at 90

File photo shows Japanese long-distance runner Toru Terasawa running Beppu Mainichi Marathon in world-record time in Beppu, Oita Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 17, 1963. The Toyama Prefecture native died of chronic heart failure on March 23, 2025, at the age of 90.

Athletics: Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon

Athletics: Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon

Japan's Hiroki Wakabayashi poses after finishing second at the Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon in 2 hours, 6 minutes and 7 seconds, the fastest time ever by a Japanese marathon debutant, at J-Lease Stadium in Oita, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 2, 2025.

Athletics: Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon

Athletics: Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon

Kenya's Vincent Kipchumba crosses the finish line to win the Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon in a meet record of 2 hours, 6 minutes and 1 second at J-Lease Stadium in Oita, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 2, 2025.

Athletics: Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon

Athletics: Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon

Japan's Hiroki Wakabayashi crosses the finish line of the Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon, finishing second in 2 hours, 6 minutes and 7 seconds, the fastest time ever by a Japanese marathon debutant, at J-Lease Stadium in Oita, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 2, 2025.

Athletics: Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon

Athletics: Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon

Japan's Hiroki Wakabayashi crosses the finish line of the Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon, finishing second in 2 hours, 6 minutes and 7 seconds, the fastest time ever by a Japanese marathon debutant, at J-Lease Stadium in Oita, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 2, 2025.

JSDF-U.S. Marines joint drill

JSDF-U.S. Marines joint drill

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. Marine Corps personnel get out of an armored vehicle during the "Resolute Dragon" joint drill on Oct. 29, 2023, at Hijudai artillery range in Oita Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

Japanese SDF equipment

Japanese SDF equipment

File photo taken Oct. 29, 2023, shows Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Type 16 mobile combat vehicles, seen during the "Resolute Dragon" Japan-U.S. joint drill at Hijudai artillery range in Oita Prefecture, southwestern Japan.

Wheelchair marathon in southwestern Japan

Wheelchair marathon in southwestern Japan

An international wheelchair marathon is held in Oita, southwestern Japan, on Nov. 17, 2024. The annual event started in 1981 as the world's first marathon exclusively for wheelchair users.