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Rescue teams in Yashio, Saitama prefecture, Japan, are racing against time to save a 74-year-old truck driver trapped in a large sinkhole since January 28. The sinkhole, measuring approximately 10 meters across and 10 meters deep, opened suddenly at an intersection, swallowing the driver and his two-ton vehicle. According to media reports, initial contact with the trapped man has ceased as water has begun to accumulate in the hole, raising concerns for his condition. Rescue efforts faced setbacks, including a second sinkhole formation on January 30, which merged with the first hole. Local authorities have evacuated residents within a 200-meter radius due to potential hazards posed by an underground gas pipe. Motohiro Ono, the governor of Saitama prefecture, expressed concerns about the possibility of further collapses, attributing the initial sinkhole to a ruptured sewage pipe. In reaction to the ongoing crisis, local officials have begun discharging wastewater into a nearby river, affecting approximately 1.2 million residents instructed to conserve water while emergency services continue their operations.

Japan has announced its refusal to fund a UN women's rights committee following calls for the country to change its male-only royal succession laws. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated on Thursday that Japan will not proceed with a planned visit by a committee member and will suspend financial contributions, which historically range between ¥20 to ¥30 million (approximately $150,000 to $225,000) annually, to the UN High Commissioner for Women. The UN committee previously urged Japan to ensure both women and men can claim the throne, in line with practices in other monarchies. However, Japan has demanded that these recommendations be retracted, asserting that succession rights are unrelated to human rights or gender discrimination. Currently, only sons of royal fathers are eligible to become emperor, leading to concerns about succession as Emperor Naruhito’s heir is significantly older than prospective successors, with only 18-year-old Prince Hisahito as a youthful option. Despite opinion polls indicating public support for allowing female succession, traditional views remain strong, hindering parliamentary discussions on the matter.

Emergency services in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture, are conducting a rescue operation after a large sinkhole opened up at a busy intersection, swallowing a truck with a driver inside. The incident occurred just before 10 a.m. local time on January 28, 2025. The sinkhole, estimated to be about the size of a swimming pool, measures approximately 10 meters wide and 5 meters deep. Preliminary reports indicate that the truck driver was initially conscious and able to communicate before becoming trapped under mud and sand. Rescue teams faced challenges as the sinkhole's stability deteriorated, prompting adjustments to their approach. Local officials have stated that a corroded sewer pipe beneath the area may have contributed to the sinkhole's formation. The governor of Saitama Prefecture, Motohiro Ono, indicated that sediment surrounding the pipe likely flowed into it, creating a hollow space that ultimately collapsed. As rescue efforts continue, teams are using a crane to attempt to lift the truck while also providing the driver with oxygen through a carefully drilled hole. The situation remains precarious, as there are concerns about further collapses. This incident is one of several sinkhole occurrences in Japan in recent years, underscoring ongoing infrastructure challenges. The current status of the driver has not been confirmed as rescue operations continue.