Scars of Heavy Rain in Tokyo as Cleanup Begins

Sep 12, 2025 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Tokyo and Kanagawa saw a series of record 'short-term heavy rain' advisories on September 11, causing river overflows and widespread flooding, with more than 200 cases confirmed in the capital as of September 12. In Shinagawa Ward’s Togoshi Ginza shopping street, roads were submerged and motorbikes were toppled as residents and shopkeepers began cleanup at first light.

An animal hospital in the area also flooded, damaging equipment. A staff member said, “Up to that line. The ultrasound, the scale, the IV equipment—some devices won’t power on even when plugged in now.”

A bento shop reported water damage to its register and freezer and spent the morning clearing debris; the shop expects to need about a month to reopen. In Setagaya Ward’s Oyamadai district, a condominium’s basement parking level was inundated. Police said no one was left behind, and pumping continued into September 12.

At a container terminal in Ota Ward on September 11, stacked containers collapsed, trapping two male workers. One died and the other was injured. The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating whether strong winds and heavy rain contributed and plans an on-site inspection.

According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, 213 flooding cases have been confirmed in the city. Emergency calls related to the storm totaled about 250 to the Metropolitan Police Department and roughly 100 to the Kanagawa Prefectural Police.

Aviation disruptions continued. At Haneda Airport on September 11, approaching thunderclouds twice forced a suspension of ground handling, and Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) canceled a combined 129 flights. The knock-on effects carried into September 12, crowding the departure lobby from early morning. “The flight was canceled. I want to rebook, but everything shows full on the app and I’m stuck,” said a traveler bound for Okinawa. Another passenger headed for Osaka said they would look for alternatives to make an afternoon appointment.

As of the morning of September 12, 42 JAL flights and 70 ANA flights were canceled, affecting about 20,500 passengers.

Source: TBS

Typhoons No. 28 and 29 Bring High Waves to Japan's Pacific Coast

Two typhoons moving across the Pacific southeast of Japan are expected to remain well away from the Japanese mainland, but powerful swells could bring rough seas to a wide stretch of the country's Pacific coastline throughout the three-day holiday weekend, according to forecasts updated at 3 a.m. on October 10.

Cyberattacks Spread Across Japan

A series of cyberattacks has disrupted business operations and exposed millions of customer records across Japan, with a ransomware attack on a cloud service provider affecting 495 companies and local governments nationwide, while convenience store operator Lawson has disclosed a separate breach involving more than 2.15 million personal information records.

Japan's First 360-Degree Projection Mapping Opens in Osaka

Japan's first 360-degree projection mapping show will open at the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts on October 10, transforming the historic building into an immersive world of light, music, and seasonal imagery, with organizers hoping the attraction will also help stimulate the city's nighttime economy.

Tokyo University Professor Wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Tokyo University of Science professor emeritus Kenzo Soai has been awarded this year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry together with French chemist Henri B. Kagan for discoveries that transformed scientists' understanding of how chemical reactions can favor one of two mirror-image forms of a molecule.

US Military Halts All Okinawa Operations for 48 Hours

The US military suspended activities by all forces stationed in Okinawa for 48 hours from noon on October 7, an unusual measure following the arrest of a US Marine in connection with a robbery and murder case that has renewed scrutiny of crimes involving American service members.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Monkeys Hit Popular Hot Spring Resort

A man in his 40s was injured after being attacked by a troop of wild monkeys in Yugawara, a popular hot spring resort town in Kanagawa Prefecture, on September 17, marking the area's first reported case of a person being bitten by a monkey and prompting authorities to strengthen monitoring of the animals using GPS tracking devices.

Tokyo Ward Expands Short-Term Rental Restrictions

Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward will expand restrictions on private lodging businesses across the entire ward from January 2027 after the ward assembly approved an ordinance amendment on October 7 aimed at tightening controls on minpaku short-term rentals.

Acorn Shortage Raises Fear of Bear Attacks

Bears are becoming increasingly active across Japan ahead of winter, with poor acorn harvests in parts of the country raising concerns that hungry animals may venture closer to homes and tourist areas in search of food.

JAL Unveils Revamped Domestic Lounge at Haneda Airport

Japan Airlines has revamped its domestic lounge at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, adding private workspaces, meal options timed to passengers' departures and facilities for families as it seeks to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse range of travelers.

Fans Gather at Furano Filming Locations After Screenwriter's Death

Fans from across Japan gathered in Furano, Hokkaido, on October 3 to visit filming locations from the television drama "From the Northern Country," marking the first weekend since the death of the series' screenwriter, So Kuramoto.

200-Year-Old Horse Festival Begins

Young men leaped onto horses racing at full speed through the grounds of Kasuga Shrine in Takahama, Aichi Prefecture, on October 3 as the city's traditional Takahama Omanto Festival got underway.

38,000 Dolls Farewelled at Tokyo Shrine

Around 38,000 dolls, including traditional Japanese dolls and stuffed animals, were brought to Meiji Shrine in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward for the annual Doll Appreciation Festival, where visitors bid farewell to old and damaged dolls in a ceremony expressing gratitude for the years they had been cherished.

A Year After Osaka Expo, a Peaceful Forest Remains

Nearly one year after the Osaka-Kansai Expo closed, the former exhibition grounds were opened to the media on October 2, revealing that around 90% of the pavilions and other facilities have been demolished, while the Forest of Tranquility remains a peaceful green space at the center of the site.

< 2 3 4 5 >