Yoshino Uemura came late to the world of female “ama” divers, taking the plunge in her 40s. But now, over two decades later, she feels there is no time to lose if her chosen profession is to ...

In celebration of International Women's Day 2019, I wanted to shine a spotlight on the ama, a title that has been ascribed to the famous female pearl divers of Japan.

In keeping with their centuries-old practice, the ama still dive without any scuba gear or air tanks. Many divers say it is hard work that doesn't offer much pay, and their numbers continue to ...

Resistance to the mascot started to stir up this August when more than 100 ama divers demanded that the mascot be revoked. “Ama in our city are all risking their lives to dive. In the past ...

The 69-year-old is among only 500 “ama” divers in Japan's rural Mie Prefecture, down from more than 4,000 such professionals in the 1970s. Across Japan, only about 2,000 ama divers are left.

KUJI, Iwate Prefecture--“Ama” divers are back in business after a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Live seasonal diving performances without breathing apparatus are now under ...