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AGENCY

Heavy rain hit Tokyo and surrounding areas Thursday afternoon, causing thousands to lose power, prompting flood warnings, grounding flights and causing transportation issues.
JAPAN
Sep 11, 2025
Thousands without power in Tokyo as heavy rain batters Kanto region
The Japan Meteorological Agency urged vigilance against river flooding, inundation of low-lying areas and landslides, while also warning of lightning, sudden gusts and hail.
The number of children who died from abuse totaled 65 in Japan in fiscal 2023, down by seven from the preceding year, according to the government.
JAPAN / Society
Sep 11, 2025
Japan records 65 child abuse deaths in fiscal 2023
The number is down by seven from the preceding year, according to the Children and Families Agency.
A tornado that struck Shizuoka Prefecture on Friday is estimated to have been one of the strongest in Japan, with an instantaneous wind speed of 75 meters per second, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
JAPAN
Sep 9, 2025
Tornado that hit Shizuoka one of Japan's strongest
The Japan Meteorological Agency estimated Friday's tornado had an instantaneous wind speed of 75 meters per second.
Tropical Storm Peipah made landfall in western Japan on Friday, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue warnings of landslides and other disasters due to heavy rainfall in several areas.
JAPAN
Sep 5, 2025
Tropical Storm Peipah brings heavy rain to parts of western Japan
The 15th named storm of the year made landfall near the city of Sukumo, Kochi Prefecture, at around 1 a.m. and was moving east along Japan's Pacific coast.
Tropical Storm Peipah, which formed off southeastern Japan, is expected to travel east off the Tokai area and the Kanto region.
JAPAN
Sep 4, 2025
Tropical Storm Peipah forms off southwestern Japan
From the Kyushu region, the tropical storm is expected to travel east off the Tokai area and the Kanto region before turning into an extratropical cyclone.
By the end of August, 8,341 people had been transported by ambulance for heatstroke in Tokyo alone.
JAPAN / Society
Sep 1, 2025
More sweltering days forecast for September after hottest summer on record
Temperatures were more than 2.36 degrees Celsius higher than average across Japan in August, with the heat expected to continue into this month.
Foreign tourists at Narita Airport in June. A report released Friday stresses that Japan is at a turning point and that current ad-hoc measures on immigration are no longer sufficient.
JAPAN / Society
Aug 29, 2025
Japan to launch broad review of immigration policies amid rise in foreign nationals
The government is set to create a task force to review its immigration plans and prevent social division between foreign nationals and citizens.
People shield themselves from the sun with umbrellas in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN
Aug 27, 2025
Tokyo logs record 10 days of 35 C or hotter, weather agency says
Japan sweltered through its hottest ever June and July this year.
The number of foreign residents with business management residency status had reached a record 41,615 as of the end of 2024.
BUSINESS
Aug 26, 2025
Japan aims to tighten rules for business manager visas from October
The move comes amid concerns that foreign nationals are using the visa as an easy loophole to settle in the country.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs is recommending replacing the government’s long-standing Kunrei system with more widely used Hepburn-style spellings.
JAPAN
Aug 21, 2025
Japan to revise romanization rules for first time in 70 years
The change is expected to be approved within the current fiscal year, then gradually rolled out in school textbooks and other materials.
High temperatures are forecast to last for another month in Japan, according to the weather agency.
JAPAN
Aug 20, 2025
Searing heat in Japan to persist for a month, boosting power use
A high-pressure system that keeps warm air near the surface has caused prolonged hot weather in Japan since June, the national weather forecaster said.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba responds to questions from the press regarding the heavy rain in Kagoshima Prefecture, at the Prime Minister's Office on Friday.
JAPAN
Aug 8, 2025
Heavy rain emergency warning issued for Kirishima, Kagoshima Prefecture
Local authorities issued the highest-level warning on the country's five-tier disaster alert system for the city of Kirishima and some other parts of Kagoshima Prefecture.
People shield their eyes from the sun as they walk through a street on a hot day in Tokyo on July 26.
JAPAN
Aug 4, 2025
Extreme heat in Japan set to peak this week
Temperatures are particularly high in the Hokuriku region, where the mercury has exceeded 38 degrees Celsius in many areas.
Japan's temperature soared to a record 41.2 degrees Celsius in Tanba, Hyogo Prefecture, on Wednesday, surpassing the previous high of 41.1 C.
JAPAN / Breaking
Jul 30, 2025
Japan marks highest-ever temperature of 41.2 C in Hyogo
The mercury hit the above-human temperature of 41.2 C in the city of Tanba, Hyogo Prefecture, as authorities urged people to take precautions to avoid heatstroke.
The city of Obihiro in Hokkaido amid scorching heat on Thursday
JAPAN
Jul 25, 2025
Extreme heat grips Japan, including even Hokkaido
Several cities in Hokkaido experienced record-high temperatures on Thursday, and Hokkaido Railway has suspended portions of its rail lines as a safety precaution.
Followers of doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo chant in religious training before a portrait of guru Shoko Asahara in 1999 at Aum's Adachi Ward office in Tokyo, where extensive facilities are located.
JAPAN
Jul 22, 2025
Son of executed Aum Shinrikyo founder identified as Aleph leader
The unnamed 31-year-old son of Chizuo Matsumoto has been “involved in organizational decision-making and is leading Aleph’s operations.”
Temporary shelters for abused or at-risk children in Japan's major cities are overwhelmed, as staff shortages and prolonged stays strain the child welfare system.
JAPAN
Jul 21, 2025
Temporary child protection facilities in major cities hit capacity as staff shortages deepen
Extended stays by children who have nowhere else to go also compound the problem.
An event featuring maiko (young female entertainers) is held at the Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu in the city of Kyoto.
JAPAN
Jul 20, 2025
Experiential tourism key to driving inbound spending in Japan
The consumption patterns of visitors to Japan have been shifting as their enthusiasm for purchasing luxury items appears to be waning.
As the rainy season appears to have ended in most regions, including Kanto, the Meteorological Agency is calling on people to take measures against heat waves.
JAPAN
Jul 18, 2025
Rainy season ends in the Kanto region, a day earlier than average
Areas from southern Tohoku to the Kyushu region are expected to see extremely hot days next week.
The Shinmoedake volcano straddling the prefectures of Miyazaki and Kagoshima on June 28
JAPAN
Jul 9, 2025
Japan unable to present volcanic activity outlook for Shinmoedake
Increasing volcanic activity has been observed since late June at the mountain in the Kirishima range straddling the prefectures of Miyazaki and Kagoshima.

Longform

Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
Rethinking that second drink: Japan’s Gen Z gets ‘sober curious’