Japan recorded its first "kokushobi" (cruelly hot day) with temperatures exceeding 40C in Gifu and Aichi prefectures, leading to new heat warnings. The rising heat has caused over 2,000 heatstroke deaths in 2024, impacted agriculture and sports, and prompted new "Cool Biz" clothing recommendations for office workers.
Japan's Meteorological Agency is experiencing ongoing issues with its "Weather Disaster Prevention Bulletin (Linear Rainband Immediate Prediction/Occurrence)" system since late May. This malfunction began shortly after the agency switched to a new disaster information system on May 28th, leading to speculation about a connection. The agency stated it is investigating the cause and its relation to the system change.
Typhoon No. 6 is forecast to approach the Tokai and Kanto regions, with the Japan Meteorological Agency issuing warnings for severe winds, heavy rains, and potential linear precipitation zones. Flight disruptions are expected.
A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck southern Hokkaido, Japan, at 5:23am on April 27, 2026, at a depth of 83km. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued no tsunami warning but warned of increased landslide risks and high probability of similar quakes in the coming week. This follows a magnitude 5.0 earthquake hours earlier in the sea south of Hokkaido and a 7.7 quake off Iwate prefecture last Monday.
Japan's meteorological agency issued a special advisory warning of a slightly elevated risk of a magnitude 8 or stronger earthquake in the coming days following a 7.1 magnitude quake, with a 1% probability compared to the normal 0.1%. The warning came just days after Indonesia's BMKG issued similar alerts about the risk of a magnitude 9.0 megathrust earthquake hitting Bali, Sumba and the Flores Islands.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned of an increased risk of a megaquake near the Chishima and Japan Trenches. While the probability remains low at 1 per cent, officials are urging residents to review earthquake preparedness measures.
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off Japan's north-east coast near Iwate prefecture, triggering tsunami warnings and evacuation orders for over 170,000 people. The quake, at a depth of 10km, generated 80cm tsunami waves before warnings were lifted hours later. Japan's meteorological agency has warned that stronger quakes causing bigger waves could occur in the next week, with the risk of an 8.0+ magnitude quake now relatively higher than normal. No major damage or injuries were reported.
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off Japan's north-east coast near Iwate prefecture, triggering tsunami warnings and evacuation orders for thousands of residents. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that quakes causing even stronger shaking could occur in the next week, with the risk of a quake measuring 8.0 or higher now relatively higher than normal. The biggest tsunami waves measured 80cm. Japan remains scarred by memories of the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 18,000 people and caused the Fukushima nuclear meltdown.
A powerful earthquake with a revised magnitude of 7.7 struck the Pacific Ocean east of Japan's northeastern Tohoku Region, prompting tsunami warnings for coastal prefectures of Iwate, Aomori, Miyagi, and southern Hokkaido. Tsunami waves of 70 centimeters were recorded in Iwate Prefecture. No damage or injuries have been reported, and nuclear facilities in the region including Fukushima Daiichi and Onagawa plants showed no abnormalities.
Japan's Meteorological Agency issued tsunami warnings for Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate prefectures after an earthquake struck at 4.53pm, with waves up to three metres expected. Live footage showed fishing boats leaving ports while broadcasters urged low-lying area residents to evacuate. A professor in Hokkaido described the tremor as the closest he's experienced to the devastating 2011 earthquake.
