Japan

Level 5 Heavy Rain Warnings Issued for Toyama, IshikawaAugust 27, 2026
Tokyo, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--The Japan Meteorological Agency issued Level 5 emergency heavy rain warnings to some municipalities in the central prefectures of Toyama and Ishikawa on Thursday morning. Torrential rain started pummeling the Noto Peninsula area in central Japan early Thursday. The emergency warnings, issued at 6:20 a.m., cover the city of Himi in […]
Japanese Artist Yayoi Kusama Dies at 97August 27, 2026
Tokyo, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--Japanese avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama, known for her polka-dot motifs, died on Aug. 14, it was learned Thursday. She was 97. Kusama was born in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, central Japan, in 1929. After moving to the United States in 1957, she held a solo exhibition in New York, where her large […]
5 Japanese Nationals Missing after Flood in NepalAugust 27, 2026
New Delhi, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--Nepalese tourism authorities said that 403 tourists, including five Japanese nationals, have been unaccounted for after flooding caused by a landslide in the Rasuwa district of Nepal on Wednesday. According to Nepalese police, the death toll from the flood has reached at least 157. Many people, including local residents, are […]
LDP Proposes Kumamoto Restoration Measures to PM TakaichiAugust 27, 2026
Tokyo, Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--A group of lawmakers from Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has proposed a set of measures to help reconstruct the southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto, hit hard by a powerful earthquake about a month ago. Handing the proposal to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in a meeting held at the prime minister's office […]
Inadequate Safety Monitoring Suspected over Fatal Train AccidentAugust 27, 2026
Utsunomiya, Tochigi Pref., Aug. 27 (Jiji Press)--Safety monitoring may have not been adequate in the work to remove weeds on railway tracks at a station in eastern Japan a week ago, during which four workers died after being hit by an incoming train, according to local police and the Japan Transport Safety Board of the […]

With Kamakura: Traditional Snow-Country Architecture in a Sunny Seaside NeighborhoodAugust 24, 2026
The café With Kamakura is located in a unique building reconstructed from three traditional farmhouses transported across the country, and combines architectural heritage with local, seasonal dining.
Aizu-Wakamatsu’s Tsurugajō Castle: Where the Samurai Era EndedAugust 20, 2026
Tsurugajō Castle was the site of a prolonged siege during the turbulent years marking the transition from the Edo period (1603–1868) to the Meiji era (1868–1912). Today, the red-roofed castle is a symbol of Fukushima Prefecture that stands in a large park encompassing the former castle grounds. Defended to the last by loyal supporters of […]
“The Tale of the Heike”: Japan’s Military EpicAugust 15, 2026
Originally popularized by traveling musicians, The Tale of the Heike is a grand military epic known for its themes of transience.
Hiyashi Chūka: A Chilled Noodle Favorite for Japanese SummersAugust 11, 2026
When it is too hot to eat ramen, hiyashi chūka is a delicious, cool alternative.
Lantern Festivals Light Up the Evening SkiesAugust 5, 2026
Festivals in Japan present their most magical faces after dark, and the enchanting glow of paper lanterns is a key part of many events. We take a look at three leading festivals where the thousands of lanterns on display are a major part of the festivities.