38 itemsLatest information on earthquakes, typhoons, disaster prep, and evacuation
Japan's Cabinet Secretariat and the Fire and Disaster Management Agency will hold a ballistic-missile evacuation drill in Aizubange, Fukushima on Oct 24, 2026, using a simulated J-Alert broadcast — one of 19 drills planned nationwide in FY2026.
Japan is taking public comment on draft ordinances and notices for the new disaster agency (Bosaicho), including hearing procedure rules, from September 14 to 11:59 p.m. on October 13, 2026.
At 07:30 on October 2, 2026, the Japan Meteorological Agency raised Hokkaido-Komagatake from Eruption Warning Level 1 to Level 2 (crater area restricted). Watch for large ballistic blocks within about 4 km of the crater, and check alerts before any hike or trip.
Japan's Cabinet Office applied the Disaster Victim Livelihood Rebuilding Support Act to Tokunoshima, Amagi and Isen in Kagoshima after Typhoon No. 18 housing damage on August 25, 2026. Households with destroyed or partially destroyed homes, including foreign residents, can apply for support payments.
On October 1, 2026, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that September rainfall on East Japan's Pacific side hit 236% of normal — the highest since records began in 1946 — while sunshine fell to a record-low 46%. Here is what caused it, the October outlook, and how to prepare.
On Sept 30, 2026 Japan's Cabinet Office announced the Disaster Relief Act now applies to 27 municipalities hit by Typhoon 25 — 24 in Chiba, Oshima Town in Tokyo, and Miura and Yokosuka in Kanagawa. Chiba areas covered since the Aug 13 rains stay included.
From Sept 29, 2026, Japan's Meteorological Agency lowered heavy-rain warning thresholds to 70% of normal in Narita, Inzai and Sakae (Chiba) after Typhoon No. 25 breached river levees. Warnings now come with less rain.
JMA returns heavy-rain warning criteria to normal in Kumamoto City, Uto and Misato on Sept 29, 2026, while Yatsushiro-west, Uki and Hikawa keep the 70% provisional levels. What it means for residents and travelers.
On September 24, 2026, Japan's Meteorological Agency issued Report 12 on the M7.1 Kumamoto Earthquake. 801 felt tremors have occurred, and the chance of another strong quake has fallen to about 1/10 of the initial level — yet remains 10 times normal.
On September 21, 2026, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a Level 5 landslide emergency warning for Oshima, Tokyo. Learn what Level 5 means, what to do when evacuation centers are unreachable, and how to check your risk on Kikikuru.
Japan's Cabinet Office applied the Disaster Relief Act to 24 Chiba municipalities (Sep 20, 2026) and Oshima Town, Tokyo (Sep 21) after Typhoon No. 25. Relief such as shelters and emergency housing covers residents of any nationality.
On Sept 18, 2026 Japan announced a ballistic-missile evacuation drill run jointly by national and local government, with 19 such drills planned for FY2026. Here is what foreign residents and visitors should know about J-Alert and what to do.
On September 15, 2026, Japan's Cabinet approved adding four more relief measures to the severe-disaster designation for the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake, including disaster-related credit guarantees for small businesses in five municipalities and private school repair subsidies.
On Sept 12, 2026 the JMA raised Mt. Tokachidake (Hokkaido) to Eruption Alert Level 3 (do not approach the volcano). Beware large ballistic ejecta within about 3 km of Crater 62-2 — what hikers, travelers and residents should do now.
On September 11, 2026, Japan's Cabinet Office applied the Disaster Victims Livelihood Recovery Support Act to five Chiba cities hit by the August 2026 heavy rain. Households whose homes were destroyed or severely damaged can apply for support payments.
On Sept 9, 2026 Japan's Cabinet Office announced the Disaster Relief Act now applies to Nagoya City, Aichi (from Sept 8) and Yakushima Town, Kagoshima (from Sept 4) after Typhoon No. 24 and frontal heavy rain. Shelters, emergency housing and home repairs are publicly funded — foreign residents and travelers qualify regardless of nationality.
From September 8, 2026, the Japan Meteorological Agency lowered heavy-rain warning thresholds to 80% of normal in Hakui City, Ishikawa, after levee breaches from the rain that began August 27. Warnings will now be issued at lower rainfall — what foreign residents and travelers should know.
On Sept 8, 2026 the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a Level 5 Flood Special Warning for the Shonai River in Aichi and Gifu. What Level 5 means for foreign residents and travelers, and what to do right now.
On Sept 8, 2026, MLIT and JMA issued a Level 5 Flood Special Warning for the Shonai River in Aichi and Gifu — what Level 5 means, and what foreign residents and travelers should do now.
On September 7, 2026, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a Level 5 Landslide Emergency Warning for Niijima Village, Tokyo. Unprecedented rainfall means disasters may already be occurring. Here is what foreign residents and travelers should do immediately, and how to check risk on the Kikikuru map.
On September 7, 2026 the Japan Meteorological Agency reported that no unusual change suggesting a relatively higher chance of a major Nankai Trough quake has been observed. Here is how to read this monthly bulletin and stay prepared in Japan.
On September 5, 2026 the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a Landslide Emergency Warning (Alert Level 5) for Yakushima Town, Kagoshima. Here is what Level 5 means, why you must not wait for it, and how to check your own risk on the Kikikuru hazard map.
Kagoshima applied the Disaster Relief Act to Yakushima Town on Sept 4, 2026 after Typhoon No. 24 and frontal heavy rain. Relief is not limited by nationality or visa status.
Japan's Cabinet Office damage report as of 7:00 on September 4, 2026: 1,514 homes damaged and 111 evacuees from the Hokuriku heavy rain and Typhoon No. 24, plus rail, flight, road and water supply impacts explained for foreign residents.
Japan's Digital Agency extended emergency access to its Government AI "Gennai" for Kumamoto quake response through September 30, while disaster-victim certificates needed for aid and fee waivers can be filed online via Myna Portal.
Japan's Digital Agency has digitized check-in on the evacuee ship Hakuo II, covering both boarding and disembarking from Aug 30, 2026. Disaster victim certificates can be filed online via Mynaportal, and Government AI Gennai runs until Sept 30.
On August 27, 2026 at 11:00, the Japan Meteorological Agency lowered the Volcanic Alert Level for Mt. Iwate from 2 (crater area restriction) to 1 (be aware it is an active volcano). The stage in place since October 2024 has ended, but sudden gas and hot water emissions inside the assumed crater remain possible.
On August 26, 2026, Japan's MLIT — together with the Cabinet Office, National Police Agency and FDMA — released two flyers on what to do and how to handle driving when a Level 5 heavy rain emergency warning is issued. Free PDFs, summarized here for foreign residents and travelers.
Japan's MLIT has opened a toll-free hotline, 0120-275-557, that connects 2026 Kumamoto earthquake victims in Yatsushiro, Uki and Hikawa with certified plumbers for in-home water pipe repairs. Open 9:00–17:00 daily until Dec 28, 2026.
On September 30, 2026 Japan's Cabinet Office announced that the Disaster Relief Act now covers Tokunoshima in Kagoshima for Typhoon No. 18 damage, effective from August 25 — 11 homes destroyed, 60 partly damaged.
On Aug 21, 2026, Japan's FSA announced that the Kanto Local Finance Bureau requested financial measures for the July 17–18 heavy rain disaster, covering Tochigi Prefecture. Here is what affected foreign residents should check and where to ask.
Japan's Digital Agency has opened online applications for Kumamoto earthquake disaster certificates via Mynaportal — the document needed for relief payments and reductions of taxes, insurance premiums and utility charges.
Japan is preparing to launch a new central agency for disasters. The Bosaicho Establishment Act (Act No. 61 of 2026) was promulgated on July 17, 2026, with its start date to be fixed by Cabinet Order. What the plan says, and which disaster channels foreign residents and visitors should use right now.
From the 2026 flood season, a new disaster weather system will forecast linear rainband formation 2–3 hours in advance. Enables earlier evacuation prep during rainy/typhoon season. Check multilingual app notifications.
Complete earthquake preparation guide for foreigners in Japan. Essential apps, emergency bags, and shelter locations explained in multiple languages.
80 years since the last Nankai Trough earthquake (1946). Guide to pre-evacuation actions when "Caution" or "Warning" alerts are issued. Multilingual leaflets available for foreign residents and tourists.
Japan's 2024 Climate Change Adaptation Act created the Heatstroke Special Alert (WBGT 35 prefecture-wide) and cooling shelters anyone can use — summer heat safety for foreign residents and tourists.
Japan runs a nationwide earthquake early warning drill at about 10:00 on Thursday, November 5, 2026, for Tsunami Disaster Prevention Day. Schools, offices and city loudspeakers will broadcast it, but phone emergency alerts will not sound. Practice Drop, Cover, Hold On.