1 Dead, Dozens Hurt in Tornado Close to Tokyo

A tornado tore through a city northeast of Japan's capital today, killing one person, injuring dozens of others, and destroying scores of houses. Firefighters and medical teams rushed to the area after the tornado struck Tsukuba city, 40 miles from Tokyo. The city is a science center, with dozens of research and academic institutes, but the tornado appeared to mostly hit residential areas.

A 14-year-old boy died after being injured by the storm, Tsukuba Medical Center said. More than 30 other people were injured, including at least 10 who were being treated at hospitals. Public broadcaster NHK showed rows of houses without roofs, apartment complexes with smashed balconies and shattered windows, and tilting telephone poles that could barely stand. About 200 homes were damaged and 24,000 homes were without electricity as lightning added to the storm's damage. (More tornado stories.)