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Japan: Wildfires Grow in Iwate’s Otsuchi as Evacuation Orders Widen 4

Two wildfires, which broke out on the afternoon of April 22 in forested areas of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, in northeast Japan, have scorched more than 1,000 hectares of land as of Friday, April 24, with at least eight structures — including a home — reported destroyed. Authorities have issued evacuation orders for more than 3,000 people as firefighting efforts continue. This video was shot at a parking area near the fire on Sanriku Expressway on April 24.

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Japan: Wildfires Grow in Iwate’s Otsuchi as Evacuation Orders Widen 2

This video shows the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, in northeast Japan shrouded in wildfire smoke as the fires kept spreading on Thursday, April 23. The two blazes, which broke out in forested areas on the afternoon of April 22, have scorched more than 1,000 hectares of land as of Friday, April 24, with at least eight structures — including a home — reported destroyed. Authorities issued evacuation orders for more than 3,000 people as firefighting efforts continue.

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Japan: Wildfires Grow in Iwate’s Otsuchi as Evacuation Orders Widen 3

Two wildfires, which broke out on the afternoon of April 22 in forested areas of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, in northeast Japan, have scorched more than 1,000 hectares of land as of Friday, April 24, with at least eight structures — including a home — reported destroyed. Authorities have issued evacuation orders for more than 3,000 people as firefighting efforts continue.

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Japan: Wildfires Grow in Iwate’s Otsuchi as Evacuation Orders Widen

Two wildfires broke out in forested areas of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, in northeast Japan on the afternoon of April 22. The blazes have scorched more than 1,000 hectares of land as of Friday, April 24, with at least eight structures — including a home — reported destroyed. Authorities have issued evacuation orders for more than 3,000 people as firefighting efforts continue.

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F-35A stealth fighters deployed at U.S base in Aomori Pref.

Photo taken on April 24, 2026, shows an F-35A stealth fighter jet deployed at the U.S. Air Force's base in Misawa in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan.

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F-35A stealth fighters deployed at U.S base in Aomori Pref.

A ceremony marking the deployment of F-35A stealth fighter jets is held at the U.S. Air Force's base in Misawa in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 24, 2026.

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New sightseeing train in western Japan

Photo taken on April 24, 2026, shows Nankai Electric Railway Co.'s new Gran Tenku sightseeing train at Namba Station in Osaka. The train connecting Osaka and Mt. Koya, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Wakayama Prefecture in western Japan, began operating the same day.

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New sightseeing train in western Japan

Photo taken on April 24, 2026, shows Nankai Electric Railway Co.'s new Gran Tenku sightseeing train at Namba Station in Osaka. The train connecting Osaka and Mt. Koya, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Wakayama Prefecture in western Japan, began operating the same day.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Smoke blankets mountainous areas of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on April 24, 2026, as wildfires continue following its outbreak at two locations in the northeastern Japan town two days before.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Smoke blankets mountainous areas of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on April 24, 2026, as wildfires continue following its outbreak at two locations in the northeastern Japan town two days before.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Smoke blankets mountainous areas of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on April 24, 2026, as wildfires continue following its outbreak at two locations in the northeastern Japan town two days before.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Smoke blankets mountainous areas of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on April 24, 2026, as wildfires continue following its outbreak at two locations in the northeastern Japan town two days before.

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Japan: Wildfires Rage in Iwate, Displacing 2,000 Residents and Destroying Homes 3

Two wildfires broke out simultaneously in forested areas of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, in northern Japan on the afternoon of April 22, local authorities confirmed. According to town officials, the blazes have scorched more than 200 hectares of land, with at least seven structures — including residential homes — reported destroyed. In response, authorities issued evacuation orders for approximately 2,000 residents as firefighting efforts continue.

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Japan: Wildfires Rage in Iwate, Displacing 2,000 Residents and Destroying Homes 4

Two wildfires broke out simultaneously in forested areas of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, in northern Japan on the afternoon of April 22, local authorities confirmed. According to town officials, the blazes have scorched more than 200 hectares of land, with at least seven structures — including residential homes — reported destroyed. In response, authorities issued evacuation orders for approximately 2,000 residents as firefighting efforts continue.

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Mine-Akiyoshidai added to UNESCO geoparks list

People pose for a photo during a celebration in Mine, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on April 23, 2026, after the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council added Mine-Akiyoshidai karst plateau in the western Japan city to its geoparks list.

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Mine-Akiyoshidai added to UNESCO geoparks list

People celebrate in Mine, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on April 23, 2026, after the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council added Mine-Akiyoshidai karst plateau in the western Japan city to its geoparks list.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

A wildfire burns into the night on April 23, 2026, in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, after breaking out the previous day. Wildfires started in two locations in the town, with containment still not in sight.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

A wildfire burns into the night on April 23, 2026, in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, after breaking out the previous day. Wildfires started in two locations in the town, with containment still not in sight.

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Japan: Wildfires Rage in Iwate, Displacing 2,000 Residents and Destroying Homes 2

Two wildfires broke out simultaneously in forested areas of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, in northern Japan on the afternoon of April 22, local authorities confirmed. According to town officials, the blazes have scorched more than 200 hectares of land, with at least seven structures — including residential homes — reported destroyed. In response, authorities issued evacuation orders for approximately 2,000 residents as firefighting efforts continue.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

A wildfire burns into the night on April 23, 2026, in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, after breaking out the previous day. Wildfires started in two locations in the town, with containment still not in sight.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

A wildfire burns into the night on April 23, 2026, in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, after breaking out the previous day. Wildfires started in two locations in the town, with containment still not in sight.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

A wildfire burns into the night on April 23, 2026, in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, after breaking out the previous day. Wildfires started in two locations in the town, with containment still not in sight.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

A wildfire burns into the night on April 23, 2026, in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, after breaking out the previous day. Wildfires started in two locations in the town, with containment still not in sight.

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Japan: Wildfires Rage in Iwate, Displacing 2,000 Residents and Destroying Homes

Two wildfires broke out simultaneously in forested areas of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, in northern Japan on the afternoon of April 22, local authorities confirmed. According to town officials, the blazes have scorched more than 200 hectares of land, with at least seven structures — including residential homes — reported destroyed. In response, authorities issued evacuation orders for approximately 2,000 residents as firefighting efforts continue.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Photo taken on April 23, 2026, shows the site of a wildfire that broke out the previous day in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan. Wildfires that broke out in two locations in the town continue with containment still not in sight.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Smoke from wildfires that broke out at two locations in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 22, 2026, covers the city center the following day, April 23, as people look on.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Smoke from wildfires that broke out on April 22, 2026, at two sites in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, shrouds the city center on April 23, as the fires continue with no end in sight.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Smoke from wildfires that broke out on April 22, 2026, at two sites in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, shrouds the city center on April 23, as the fires continue with no end in sight.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Smoke from wildfires that broke out on April 22, 2026, at two sites in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, shrouds the city center on April 23, as the fires continue with no end in sight.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News plane shows smoke rising from a mountainous area in the town of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 23, 2026, as wildfires that broke out at two sites in the town the previous day continue.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News plane shows smoke rising from a mountainous area in the town of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 23, 2026, as wildfires that broke out at two sites in the town the previous day continue.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News plane shows smoke rising from a mountainous area in the town of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 23, 2026, as wildfires that broke out at two sites in the town the previous day continue.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News plane shows smoke rising from a mountainous area in the town of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 23, 2026, as wildfires that broke out at two sites in the town the previous day continue.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Firefighting operations continue on April 23, 2026, in the town of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, as wildfires that broke out at two sites in the town the previous day continue.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

Firefighting operations continue on April 23, 2026, in the town of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, as wildfires that broke out at two sites in the town the previous day continue.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

People watch a wildfire burning in a mountainous area in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 22, 2026, as local authorities urge over 1,000 residents to evacuate. Another fire broke out in the same town earlier in the day.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

People watch a wildfire burning in a mountainous area in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 22, 2026, as local authorities urge over 1,000 residents to evacuate. Another fire broke out in the same town earlier in the day.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

People watch a wildfire burning in a mountainous area in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 22, 2026, as local authorities urge over 1,000 residents to evacuate. Another fire broke out in the same town earlier in the day.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

A wildfire burns in a mountainous area in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 22, 2026, prompting local authorities to urge over 1,000 residents to evacuate. Another fire broke out in the same town earlier in the day.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

A wildfire burns in a mountainous area in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 22, 2026, prompting local authorities to urge over 1,000 residents to evacuate. Another fire broke out in the same town earlier in the day.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

A wildfire burns in woodland in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 22, 2026. Another fire broke out in the same town the same day, prompting local authorities to urge over 1,000 residents to evacuate.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

A wildfire burns in a mountainous area in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 22, 2026, prompting local authorities to urge over 1,000 residents to evacuate. Another fire broke out in the same town earlier in the day.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

People watch a wildfire burning in a mountainous area in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 22, 2026. Another fire broke out in the same town the same day, prompting local authorities to urge over 1,000 residents to evacuate.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

A wildfire burns in a mountainous area in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 22, 2026. Another fire broke out in the same town the same day, prompting local authorities to urge over 1,000 residents to evacuate.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

People watch a wildfire burning in a mountainous area in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 22, 2026. Another fire broke out in the same town the same day, prompting local authorities to urge over 1,000 residents to evacuate.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

A wildfire burns in a mountainous area in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 22, 2026. Another fire broke out in the same town the same day, prompting local authorities to urge over 1,000 residents to evacuate.

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Wildfires in northeastern Japan

A wildfire burns in a mountainous area in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 22, 2026. Another fire broke out in the same town the same day, prompting local authorities to urge over 1,000 residents to evacuate.

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