We've listed our five most read stories on The Mainichi news site, from top to bottom, that were published between Sept. 21 and 29. The first story was viewed by 29% of our regular readers. (The Mainichi)

Japanese teen given 2 weeks to live fulfills dreams with help from family

MARUGAME, Kagawa -- A woman who was given only two weeks to live by her doctor managed to fulfill her dreams before she passed away this summer at the age of 19, including holding an exhibition of original illustrations for a picture book inspired by her own life. Full story.

Japan braces for yet more price hikes in Oct. including postal fees, food, drinks

TOKYO -- Another set of price increases awaits consumers in Japan in October, such as mail fees going up by around 30% in addition to ongoing food and beverage price surges. Some lifestyle-related systems will also change with the minimum wage being boosted by 51 yen (about 35 cents) to 1,055 yen (around $7.32) on the national weighted average and child allowances set to be expanded by eliminating income caps. Full story.

130 high school students stand on iconic west Japan bridge to test its strength

IWAKUNI, Yamaguchi -- About 130 high school students on Sept. 21 stood on this west Japan city's iconic Kintai Bridge, designated as a national site of scenic beauty, in a strength test of the structure held almost every five years. Full story.

Harassment by boss top reason for job leavers to turn to Tokyo quitting agency: survey

TOKYO -- Harassment by superiors was the top reason for job leavers in Japan to turn to a job-quitting agency to resign on their behalf, a survey by the agency has found. Full story.

Italian writer recalls 'hell' in WWII camp in Japan where father cut off finger (Pt. 1)

Deprived of food and unable to bear the intense hunger, detainees at a foreign internment camp in Nagoya during the closing days of the Pacific War picked up ants on the road and ate them. When they complained about their poor treatment, Japan's Special Higher Police repeatedly threatened to slit their throats. Full story.