OSAKA - Helicopter footage captured the JAPAN FIREWORKS EXPO at the Osaka–Kansai Expo on August 23, 2025, where fireworks from across Japan returned under the ‘Harekaze ACTION’ initiative
Harekaze ACTION is a Kirin Brewery initiative that donates a portion of sales from its Harekaze beer to support the preservation of traditional Japanese seasonal events, such as cherry blossom festivals and fireworks displays, which are threatened by declining populations and funding.
Source: KTV NEWS
Typhoon No. 25 was moving away from Japan over waters to the east early on September 22, bringing an end to rainfall across the Kanto region while remaining a strong storm as it tracked northeast at 45 kilometers per hour at 3 a.m.
Severe transport disruption continued across Chiba Prefecture on the morning of September 22 even as Typhoon No. 25 moved away from Japan, with major JR lines still suspended, rail access to Narita Airport disrupted by river flooding, highways closed across the Boso Peninsula and thousands of travelers dealing with the aftermath of the previous day's cancellations.
Japan collected another 12 medals on Day 3 of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on September 21, with 17-year-old swimmer Shin Ohashi and karateka Kakeru Nishiyama winning gold, while the host nation also advanced strongly in women's volleyball, baseball, soccer, handball and hockey.
People aged 65 and older accounted for a record 29.6% of Japan's population in 2026, the highest proportion among major countries worldwide, while the number of elderly people in employment also reached an all-time high as Japan marked Respect for the Aged Day on September 21.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako watched Japan defeat Kazakhstan in a women’s basketball preliminary-round game at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya.
A phone booth that converts the voice of the person on the other end of a call into real-time text has been installed at Haneda Airport for four days, offering visitors a glimpse of technology designed for people who have difficulty hearing telephone conversations.
Peach Aviation began scheduled flights between Narita Airport and South Korea's Incheon International Airport on September 20, marking the low-cost carrier's first new international route from Narita in seven years.
Japan's Silver Week began on September 19 with five consecutive days off for the first time in 11 years, drawing crowds to food and festival events across the country despite rainy weather in the Kanto region as Typhoon No. 25 approached.
Volcanic smoke continues to rise from Mount Tokachi (Tokachidake), an active volcano in Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido, one week after its eruption alert level was raised to Level 3, restricting entry to the mountain and prompting a series of cancellations at nearby hot spring inns just before the peak autumn foliage season.
The Kyushu Shinkansen will resume operations along its entire route on September 18 after suffering extensive track and other damage in the Kumamoto earthquake, raising hopes that the long-awaited restoration will help revive tourism in disaster-hit areas ahead of the Silver Week holiday period.
A black bear has been spotted near one of the most popular hiking trails on Mount Takao in western Tokyo, prompting authorities to urge visitors to take precautions ahead of the five-day Silver Week holiday and the approaching autumn foliage season.
Prolonged rain is disrupting tourism ahead of Japan's Silver Week holidays, forcing Nagatoro's popular river cruises to remain suspended for an 11th consecutive day while increased water flow at Fukuroda Falls in Ibaraki Prefecture is drawing more visitors.
A new top-tier "Supreme Class" offering fully private compartments above the level of Green Car service will debut on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen on October 1, with passengers able to experience the new seating at a demonstration booth at Shin-Osaka Station.
