The Akita prefecture on the coast of Japan is famous for rice farming and sake brewing, and also, perhaps not coincidentally, for having the highest consumption of sake in Japan.

In 1973, the Virgin Mary appeared to Sister Agnes Katsuko Sasagawa, who reported seeing a statue of Our Lady of Akita "illuminate", and suffered stigmata (the marks some Christians believe correspond to those left on Christ’s body by the crucifixion). Despite being deaf, Sister Agnes heard messages from Mary. The statue also wept tears, and did so on another 100 occasions — one of which was broadcast on Japanese national television...

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