News

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) announced that Shinmoedake volcano, located within the Kirishima mountain range in Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures, likely erupted at around 10:15 AM on July 11. Due to poor weather conditions, details such as the height and direction of the volcanic plume remain unclear. Recent Volcanic Activity …

Discover the Stunning Rice Field Art of Shohei Ohtani in Oshu City, Japan Have you ever heard of rice field art? Known as tanbo art in Japan, this unique form of land art involves planting different colored rice plants to create massive images that can be viewed from above. Right …

A Quiet Landing in a Storm of Rumors On July 5, 2025, a Boeing 737-800 operated by Greater Bay Airlines landed at Tokushima Airport, roughly 30 minutes behind schedule. The aircraft, painted in white with a striking blue tail, had flown in from Hong Kong, a bustling hub for travelers …

Sakurajima Volcano Erupts, Ash Plume Reaches 3000 Meters On July 6, Sakurajima volcano in Japan erupted, creating a dramatic scene as its ash plume soared to impressive heights. The Minamidake crater of Sakurajima erupted at approximately 9:33 AM, sending an ash plume about 3000 meters high into the sky. The …

Second Wave of Island Evacuations Begins: 46 Residents Flee Akusekijima and Kotakarajima Amid Earthquake Swarm in Tokara Islands, Kagoshima Prefecture On the morning of July 6, a village-operated ferry set sail from Akusekijima and Kotakarajima, carrying 46 residents who opted to evacuate due to a relentless series of earthquakes shaking …

Unique Manhole Covers in Iwate Honor MLB Stars Ohtani, Sasaki, and Kikuchi In June, Iwate Prefecture unveiled a trio of eye-catching manhole covers celebrating its hometown Major League Baseball (MLB) heroes: Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Roki Sasaki, and Yusei Kikuchi of the Los Angeles Angels. Featuring original …

(Minami Nippon Shimbun) Sakurajima Volcano Shows Swelling: Alert for Large Ejecta and Pyroclastic Flows Within 2km of Crater On July 5th at 8 PM, the Kagoshima Local Meteorological Observatory issued a statement about Sakurajima, reporting that crustal movements indicating the mountain is swelling had been observed. Authorities are urging caution …

Elderly Man Trapped in Train for 5 Hours at Shin-Tochigi Station On July 5, Tobu Railway announced that a man in his 70s was stuck inside a train for about 5 hours at Shin-Tochigi Station on the Tobu Utsunomiya Line in Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The train was the …

“July 5 Mega Disaster Theory” Sparks “Japan’s Doom” Trend on X, Fuels Fear and Global Media Coverage On the afternoon of July 4, the phrase “Japan’s Doom” surged to a trending topic on X (formerly Twitter), igniting a wave of curiosity and concern among users worldwide. The trend stems from …

Japan’s Shifting Demographics: Record Highs for Single and Elderly Households, Record Low for Families with Children A recent survey by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has uncovered striking changes in the nation’s household composition. The number of single-person households and households with elderly members (aged 65 and older) …