News On Japan

Japan's New Volcano Research Center Activated

TOKYO - The Japan government's 'Volcano Research and Investigation Headquarters' was inaugurated on April 1st, with a ceremony marking the start of its mission to centralize the observation and research of volcanoes, aiming to enhance disaster prevention measures.

The headquarters is tasked with developing methods for assessing volcanic activity nationwide and addressing disaster prevention challenges.

By collecting and analyzing research outcomes from administrative bodies and universities, it aims to strengthen measures against the 111 active volcanoes in the country.

Until now, observations and research were primarily conducted by the Meteorological Agency and various research institutions. However, the necessity for an organization to centrally manage these efforts, similar to earthquake research and investigation, had been pointed out.

The first meeting of the headquarters is expected to take place in early this month.

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Japan’s World Cup campaign ended in the cruelest possible fashion on June 29, as Gabriel Martinelli scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time to give Brazil a 2-1 victory over the Samurai Blue in their knockout match in Houston. Japan had led in the first half and were still level at 1-1 in the final moments, but Martinelli’s late strike sent Brazil into the Round of 16 and eliminated Japan from the tournament.

Strong earthquakes have continued to shake parts of Japan in recent weeks, with 11 temblors measuring lower 5 or above on the Japanese seismic intensity scale recorded across the country since April 2026.

A Kintetsu Railway train derailed inside Kyoto Station on the morning of June 29, forcing partial suspensions on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line for the rest of the day and causing long delays that hit commuters, students and tourists.

A section of stone wall at Hikone Castle, one of Japan’s few surviving original Edo-period castles and a National Treasure whose main keep remains intact more than 400 years after its construction, collapsed after heavy rain caused by Typhoons No. 7 and No. 8, Hikone city officials said.

Japan advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Sweden on June 25, finishing second in Group F and setting up a Round of 32 clash with Brazil in Houston.

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