We’ve listed our five most read stories on The Mainichi news site, from top to bottom, that were published between August 9 and 17. The first story was viewed by 19.9% of our regular readers. (The Mainichi)
A dining platform over the Kibune River is seen collapsed at a restaurant near Kifune Shrine in Kyoto’s Sakyo Ward, Aug. 12, 2025. (Mainichi/Reona Mizutani)
6 fall into swollen river at Kyoto restaurant after dining terrace collapses
KYOTO — A dining terrace over a river at a restaurant here collapsed Aug. 12, causing six people to fall into the stream.
According to the Kyoto City Fire Department, the terrace at a restaurant near Kifune Shrine in Kyoto’s Sakyo Ward collapsed shortly after 11 a.m. Full story.
Shoko Shirai (a pseudonym) prepares lunch with her second son ahead of his final baseball tournament this summer, at their home in Tokyo on July 24, 2025. A pillar next to the kitchen records the height of her three children over the years. (Mainichi/Daiki Takikawa)
Single mom of 3 in Tokyo struggles to get by with survivor’s pension, savings
TOKYO — “The rice is ready, so help yourself to as much as you want,” Shoko Shirai (a pseudonym), 53, told her 14-year-old son, a third-year junior high school student, as she prepared lunch.
The teen, who was bracing for his baseball team’s final tournament the following week, scooped a bowlful of rice from the cooker. Full story.
A street is seen in the town of Nayoshi in what was then Japanese-controlled Karafuto (now Lesogorskoe on Russia’s Sakhalin Island).
Newly declassified Russian records reveal more Japanese murders of Koreans in 1945
Newly declassified Russian government documents have revealed a new series of Japanese killings of Koreans in multiple locations in southern Sakhalin Island from Aug. 15 to early September 1945, the Mainichi Shimbun has learned from two Sakhalin-based researchers who obtained the materials. Full story.
The most popular dish at Kake Ramen Hajime is “kake ramen,” which costs 400 yen including tax. This restaurant was opened by major ramen chain Tenkaippin as a new business venture. (Photo provided by Tenkaippin)
Why has zero-topping ramen become the next big noodle thing in Japan?
It seems that restaurants offering “no-topping” ramen noodles, which lack “char siu” braised or roasted pork, boiled eggs and “menma” bamboo shoots, are becoming more widespread in Japan. Amid rising labor and raw material costs, low-priced and simple ramen is gaining attention. The Mainichi Shimbun briefly answers some questions readers may have about the popularity and innovation of ramen without toppings. Full story.
Fumi Nikaido, left, and Kazlaser (Mainichi)
Japanese actor Fumi Nikaido, comedian Kazlaser announce marriage
TOKYO — Actor Fumi Nikaido, 30, and Kazlaser, 41, from the comedy duo “Maple Chogoukin,” announced via their respective official websites and other media Aug. 10 that they had married. Full story.
AloJapan.com