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.
A 53-year-old Hong Kong woman died and five others were injured in a head-on car crash in Furano, Japan, involving a rental car carrying a Hong Kong family and another vehicle with Japanese nationals. Police are investigating why the rental car crossed into oncoming traffic.
Super Typhoon Bavi is forecast to pass very close to Japan's remote Sakishima Islands early Saturday. Residents are preparing by boarding up windows and stocking supplies, while airlines have cancelled over 260 flights and nearly 900 buildings in Okinawa prefecture are without power.
In Ibaraki Prefecture, Masae Sakurai, 49, was arrested for allegedly sewing the lips of a 42-year-old woman she lived with on June 29. The victim, who had been living with Sakurai since April 2025, fled to a shop where an employee called the police.
Hyogo Prefecture is the first in Japan to use microchip data from bears to determine population size, balancing conservation and control. The initiative started in 2003 for conservation and shifted to management as numbers recovered.
A survey by the Japan Car Sharing Association estimates over 2 million cars could be damaged by tsunamis from a Nankai Trough megaquake, five times the number in 2011. The government warns of a 60-90% chance of such an earthquake within 30 years.
A 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck near Tokyo, injuring two elderly women who fell at home. The quake caused minor damage, including a collapsed wall and a landslide, and triggered a brief tsunami warning. Authorities urge vigilance for aftershocks and potential landslides.
Police authorities in Paris have requested the cancellation of Sunday's Diamond League track and field meeting and other public events, including a music festival and Pride march, citing a historic heat wave and mounting pressure on emergency services. Organizers hope to stage an adapted event despite the unprecedented conditions.
福井県は、原発の運用に独自に課す「核燃料税」を増税する条例案を県議会に提出した。使用済み核燃料への税率は全国最高になる見通しで、平年度で約38億円の増収を見込む。持続可能な立地地域創出のための財政需要増大が理由。
A 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Haixi Prefecture in China's Qinghai Province on Tuesday evening. The quake, with a depth of 10 km, occurred at 5:06 pm local time. Authorities are assessing the impact in the sparsely populated region, with no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
The estimated population of Asiatic black bears in Iwate Prefecture has surged from 3,700 to 5,200 (preliminary figures), according to a prefectural report. This increase is attributed to improved survey methods. The prefecture plans to exceed the initially set capture limit of 796 bears to manage the growing population.
A massive hose, approximately 150 meters long and weighing an estimated 300 tons, washed ashore on the coast of Shika Town, Ishikawa Prefecture. It bore the name of a Chinese company, but the owner could not be identified. The cost of removal, estimated at 50 million yen, is expected to be covered by the national and prefectural governments.
Niigata Prefecture awarded its Prefectural Honors to figure skater Ami Nakai (18) and snowboarder Ryusei Yamada (20) for their bronze medal wins at the Beijing Winter Olympics. Niigata City also presented Nakai with its Sports Award.
Fukui Prefecture plans to raise its nuclear fuel tax on spent nuclear fuel stored within power plant sites from ¥1,500 to ¥2,000 per kilogram annually. The move aims to encourage the removal of spent fuel from the prefecture and is expected to set the highest tax rate nationwide under this framework.
Ehime Prefecture announced the cause of an inspection trouble at the Ikata Nuclear Power Plant in April, attributing it to worker assumption. The issue led to unintended data transfer stoppages in units 2 and 3, in addition to the planned stop for unit 1. Shikoku Electric Power has implemented revised procedures and security measures to prevent recurrence.
86 saplings of 'Sagansugi,' a next-generation cedar developed in Saga Prefecture for its fast growth, strength, and reduced pollen, were stolen from a mountain forest in Taku City. The theft, discovered on May 25, is the first of its kind, with the prefecture urging the public to stop taking their valuable cedar.
Typhoon Jangmi made landfall in western Japan on Wednesday, causing widespread flooding, mudslides, and injuring dozens. The highest flood warning was issued for the Koza River before being downgraded. The government reported damage across Kyushu to the Kanto region.
Xinjiang's Changji Prefecture reported a record 325 days of good or excellent air quality in 2025, surpassing 300 days for the first time. PM2.5 concentration decreased by 3.6% to 27µg/m3.
Changji Prefecture in Xinjiang is organizing a "Children's Voices in China" singing event involving 90,000 children aged 6-14. The initiative aims to foster national unity and patriotism through music, transforming passive participation into active engagement and promoting cultural exchange.
Typhoon No. 6 made landfall in southern Wakayama Prefecture early on the 3rd. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a Level 5 special warning for the Kii River in Wakayama Prefecture, later downgraded to a Level 2 advisory. "Linear rainbands" causing extremely heavy rain have formed in Shizuoka and Kanagawa prefectures, prompting warnings for the Kanto region.
Typhoon No. 6 made landfall in southern Wakayama Prefecture early on the 3rd. Special flood warnings were issued for the Kuzu River, with heavy rain and landslide warnings also affecting Tokyo and surrounding areas. Significant disruptions to train and air travel are expected.
Typhoon No. 6 brought heavy rain and flooding to Mie Prefecture, Japan, causing road closures, power outages, and school cancellations. No casualties have been reported.
Typhoon No. 6 caused road closures and flooding in Mie Prefecture, Japan. Over 300 people evacuated, 12,200 households experienced power outages, and 579 schools closed. No human casualties were reported as of August 3rd, 8 AM.
Typhoon No. 6 made landfall in southern Wakayama Prefecture early on the 3rd. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a Level 5 special flood warning for the Kure River, later downgraded. "Linear rainbands" caused intense rainfall in Shizuoka and Kanagawa, with evacuation orders issued in Tokyo and other areas.
