Society

Strong Winds Cause 'Shaky Landings' at Narita Airport

TOKYO, Apr 16 (News On Japan) - Strong winds battered wide areas of Japan on April 15th, disrupting air travel, toppling trees in central Tokyo, and fueling a fire that burned down homes in Toyama.

At Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture, aircraft were seen struggling to land amid gusty conditions. Several planes wobbled sharply during their descent, with some bouncing on the runway upon touchdown, while others were forced to abort landings and try again.

Wind speeds at Narita peaked at 19.5 meters per second. As a result, two inbound flights from Guam and China were unable to land and had to be diverted to Haneda and Kansai airports.

The strong winds were caused by a slow-moving cold vortex, bringing what forecasters described as a "spring storm" across the country.

In Tokyo, the city recorded its strongest winds of the year so far, with a maximum instantaneous wind speed of 20.7 meters per second. Near the Onarimon intersection along Hibiya-dori, within sight of Tokyo Tower, a roadside tree was blown over at its roots, prompting traffic restrictions.

At around 2:30 p.m., a witness reported the fallen tree. There were no injuries or damage to vehicles, but authorities believe the incident was linked to the strong winds.

Source: FNN

Foreign Residents Now 3% of Japan's Total Population

As Japan faces an ongoing decline in its birthrate and aging population, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has released data showing the country’s total population.

Record Heavy Rain Hits Kagoshima

Record heavy rainfall hit Kagoshima Prefecture, and residents began recovery work on September 9th. In Kirishima, where the first heavy rain special warning of the year was issued, rivers overflowed, and muddy water flowed into residential areas.

Japan's Population Declines for 16th Straight Year

Japan’s population of Japanese nationals has decreased for the 16th consecutive year, according to demographic data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. As of January 1st, 2025, the Japanese population stood at 120.65 million, a drop of roughly 910,000 from the previous year—marking the largest annual decline on record.

Dangerous Heat Leaves Cows Exhausted and Summer Crops Failing

A severe and prolonged heatwave is taking a widespread toll across Japan, affecting everything from traditional summer events to vegetable harvests and dairy farms.

Officials Investigate Fireworks Fiasco

Authorities have launched a full investigation into the fire that broke out during the Minato Mirai fireworks festival in Yokohama, where five workers had to be rescue from an exploding barge.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Families Facing Poverty in Japan as Food Prices Soar

Many families struggle to maintain a regular diary of their daily lives, especially during the summer break, which is a particularly challenging time. Support organizations like Kids Door, which deliver food to children in need, are seeing an increase in requests for help.

Korean Men Flocking to Japan in Search of Japanese Wives

An increasing number of South Korean men are traveling to Japan to find Japanese wives, with some making repeated trips each year until they meet a potential partner. Behind this trend lies a mix of cultural expectations and economic pressures.

Officials Investigate Fireworks Fiasco

Authorities have launched a full investigation into the fire that broke out during the Minato Mirai fireworks festival in Yokohama, where five workers had to be rescue from an exploding barge.

Peace Bell Rings in Nara Temple

August 6th marks 80 years since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. At Yakushiji Temple in Nara, a bell rang out with prayers for peace.

Historic Osaka Temple Becomes Ghost Spot After Head Priest's Arrest

A centuries-old temple in Osaka has become a hotspot for trespassing and online ghost-hunting rumors, following the absence of its head priest and the fallout from a criminal case involving its former leader.

Fireworks Barge Catches Fire in Yokohama

A barge used to launch fireworks caught fire during the Minato Mirai Smart Festival 2025 held in Yokohama’s waterfront district on Monday night, prompting an emergency response.

The Hidden Crisis of Abandoned Homes in Tokyo

A hidden problem lies behind the seemingly ordinary streets of Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. A vehicle belonging to the ward’s government arrives at a heavily overgrown property. The team inside is part of a specialized task force dealing with abandoned homes, and today they are conducting an inspection of one such property.

Four Workers Die After Falling Into Manhole Without Safety Gear

Four male workers in their 50s died after falling into a manhole during a sewer inspection in Gyoda City, Saitama Prefecture, and none of them were wearing fall-prevention safety harnesses, it has been revealed.

< 2 3 4 5 >