Kumamoto Castle was severely damaged when a magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit Kumamoto in 2016 (Credit: Aflo Co. Ltd./Alamy) But while castles are big news in Japan, they are especially so in Kumamoto.

On October 5, a ceremony in the castle’s expansive grounds commemorated its partial reopening to the public, though the full restoration work is expected to take many years.

Starting with a magnitude-6.5 quake on April 14, a series of major earthquakes have hit the central Kumamoto area of Japan, causing deaths, injuries and widespread damage to the area's residences ...

The success story of a beloved, cuddly Japanese character reveals more about human nature and our obsession with cuteness than you might realise. Meet Japan’s Kumamon, the bear who earns ...

Japan's top three property insurers said on Friday the total insurance payout for damage caused by last month's deadly earthquakes in Kumamoto is likely to be around 19 billion yen ($172 million).