Old department store in Yamagata up for foreclosure

The Onuma Department Store in Yamagata City is up for foreclosure later this month, with a minimum bid set at 186,768,000 Yen (approx. US$1.8 million). Yamagata District Court will accept sealed-bids from November 24 to December 1, with bids to be opened on December 3.  The department store closed its doors in January 2020 after filing for bankruptcy, making Yamagata City the only prefectural capital in Japan to be without a department store.

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Former village office in Yamagata to be demolished

The former Kogane Village Office in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, is going to be demolished as the historical property has become too difficult to maintain. Tsuruoka City owns the property and does not have the financial ability to preserve and maintain the building.Read more


Sky Tower 41

Sky Tower 41 is a high-rise residential building located on the outskirts of Kaminoyama - a city of 33,000 residents in Yamagata Prefecture. The 41-storey tower looks out of place amongst the fields and countryside.Read more


Yamagata City to start measuring homes for radiation

Yamagata City will be the first area in Yamagata Prefecture to start measuring the radiation levels of homes. Between 150 and 200 homes will be tested by the city to determine whether decontamination is needed.

If the radiation level at 50 cm above ground exceed 1 microsievert/hr, the city can provide advice to the homeowner and hire decontamination workers. Residents can submit applications to have their home measured, and testing will begin on December 20. The city believes they can visit up to 25 homes per day.Read more