News On Japan

Avalanche Strikes Nagano-Niigata Ski Resort, Four Injured

Nagano, Mar 01 (News On Japan) - An avalanche struck an advanced-level course at Madarao Kogen Ski Resort, which spans Niigata and Nagano prefectures, on February 28th, leaving four people injured, including two family members.

The avalanche occurred shortly after 2 p.m. on February 28th on a slope that crosses between Myoko City in Niigata Prefecture and Iiyama City in Nagano Prefecture.

According to authorities, the avalanche measured approximately 600 meters in length and swept up five people. Four individuals, including a parent and child, suffered injuries such as broken bones. None of the injuries were life-threatening.

Officials believe the incident was a "full-depth avalanche," in which an entire layer of snow collapses at once, likely triggered by rising temperatures and rainfall.

Cracks were also observed near the slope gouged out by the avalanche, raising concerns about unstable snow conditions in the surrounding area.

Police and fire officials conducted a search on March 1st to determine whether anyone else had been caught in the slide, but police later announced that the likelihood of additional victims was low.

The ski resort said that no abnormalities had been detected during safety inspections conducted before opening on February 28th.

Source: FNN

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Rising land prices are making it increasingly difficult for people to live in their preferred locations, prompting a growing trend of choosing homes a few stations away from major hubs as a way to reduce rent.

A farewell ceremony for Masashi Ozaki, a legendary figure in Japanese golf affectionately known as “Jumbo,” who died at the age of 78 last December, was held at a hotel in Tokyo on March 16th, drawing many figures from the golf world and related industries to pay their respects.

Two weeks after attacks on Iran triggered the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, turmoil has spread through the global economy, with rising gasoline prices already hitting consumers while a looming shortage of petrochemical materials threatens to drive up the cost of everyday goods.

JR East raised fares across all of its service areas on March 14th, marking the first fare hike since the company’s privatization and the first major increase in about 40 years, excluding adjustments tied to consumption tax increases.

Kyoto Prefecture recorded more than 30 million overnight visitors last year, reinforcing its status as one of Japan’s most popular travel destinations.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Sports NEWS

A farewell ceremony for Masashi Ozaki, a legendary figure in Japanese golf affectionately known as “Jumbo,” who died at the age of 78 last December, was held at a hotel in Tokyo on March 16th, drawing many figures from the golf world and related industries to pay their respects.

Momoka Muraoka secured a silver medal in the women’s sitting giant slalom on March 12th, the seventh day of the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics, bringing her career total to 11 medals—the most ever won by a Japanese athlete at the Winter Paralympics.

Japan’s sporting traditions remain influential, but fan interaction has increasingly shifted to digital spaces.

JTB on March 10th unveiled to the media the details of a special viewing tour for Japan’s games in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), held at Tokyo Dome.

A compelling matchup has been added to the boxing card as WBC bantamweight champion Takuma Inoue is set to defend his title against WBC bantamweight No. 3 contender Kazuto Ioka at Tokyo Dome on May 2.

Japan’s national team began its World Baseball Classic campaign with a commanding victory on March 6th, defeating Taiwan 13-0 in a seven-inning mercy-rule game in Group C of the first round at Tokyo Dome.

The Tokyo Marathon was held on March 1st along a course running from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to Tokyo Station, with Suguru Osako, who holds the Japanese national record and competes for Li-Ning, finishing 12th in 2 hours, 5 minutes and 59 seconds to post the best result among Japanese runners in the men’s race.

Olympic gold medalists Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, the pair known as “RikuRyu,” spoke at a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward on February 25th, reflecting on their victory in pair skating at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and the determination that carried them through the competition.