JOETSU, Niigata Prefecture A senior official of a Tokyo-based major oil and gas producer bowed deeply for several seconds and apologized while cameras flashed and the sounds of shutters were heard.
IZUMOZAKI, Niigata Prefecture A centuries-old hanging bell that escaped being melted down for Japan’s failed war effort in the 1940s is finally back where it belongs.
KASHIWAZAKI, Niigata Prefecture A small electrical fire that broke out in a conference room at Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in the early hours of Jan. 17 was quickly contained.
MURAKAMI, Niigata Prefecture A sixth body was found in the ruins of a rice cracker factory here following a fire that broke out late at night on Feb. 11 and burned until nearly noon the next day, according to police.
UONUMA, Niigata Prefecture A natural phenomenon known as cloud waterfall is mesmerizing early morning sightseers at the Shiori-toge pass that forms part of National Route No. 352 and lies more than 1,000 meters above sea level.