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1,000-year-old festival opens in Fukushima, defying tragedy

by Kyodo

An annual festival that traces its roots to 10th-century feudal Japan opened Saturday in Fukushima Prefecture, featuring dozens of horsemen clad in full samurai armor and prayers for those who perished in the March 11 quake and tsunami disaster. The holding of the event was once threatened by the massive tragedy brought on by the disaster and by the ongoing crisis at a nearby nuclear plant, but the organizing committee of the Soma Nomaoi (Soma Wild Horse Chase), headed by Minamisoma Mayor Katsunobu Sakurai, decided to carry on the ancient tradition albeit on a smaller scale this year. It will run from Saturday through Monday as it has been held every year. (Kyodo)

Strong earthquake jolts northeastern Japan

by AP

A strong earthquake has jolted northeastern Japan, the same region devastated by March's massive quake and tsunami. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the Saturday afternoon quake, and no tsunami warning was issued. The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude-6.4 quake was centered 22 miles (36 kilometers) below the sea bed in the Pacific Ocean, 257 miles (414 kilometers) northeast of Tokyo - in the same area where more than 22,000 people were killed or went missing after the March 11 quake and tsunami. (AP)