SHIKOKU Pretty to look at, but illegal to grow, opium-producing atsumi geshi poppies are sprouting like wildfire in northern Tokushima Prefecture. [ASAHI]

SHIKOKU An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.4 hit eastern Shikoku, around 8.44 AM Sunday, Japan’s Meterological Agency reported.

SHIKOKU A former president of major meat wholesaler Kyochiku was sentenced Monday to three years in prison and a fine of 600 million yen in connection with the company’s evasion of about 11.8 billion yen in extra tariffs imposed on low-priced pork imports to protect domestic producers. [KYODO]