Wildfires "largely under control" in northeastern Japan on 7th day

MORIOKA, Japan - Two wildfires in northeastern Japan are now "largely under control," the head of a local town said Tuesday, as firefighting continued for a seventh day.

The fires, which broke out in two locations in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, last Wednesday have so far prompted local authorities to advise 3,257 people from 1,558 households to seek shelter and the central government sees the disaster as severe enough to qualify for ramped-up support, including financial assistance.