Empress Masako Attends National Red Cross Convention as Honorary President

May 12, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - The National Red Cross Convention held on May 12 honored people involved in Red Cross activities across Japan. Empress Masako, serving as honorary president, attended the event alongside other female members of the Imperial Family, including Crown Princess Kiko, who serves as vice honorary president.

During the ceremony, the Empress presented shields and other awards to individuals and organizations recognized for supporting Red Cross activities.

The convention was broadcast in full without edits.

Princess Aiko, who works in the Youth and Volunteer Division of the Japanese Red Cross Society, reportedly carried out duties at the venue as a staff member.

Source: TBS

Typhoon Jangmi Leaves Trail of Destruction Across Japan

Typhoon Jangmi (Typhoon No. 6) swept across Japan on June 3rd, bringing record-breaking rainfall, widespread flooding, landslides, transport disruptions, and powerful winds, while prompting Tokyo's first-ever issuance of a Level 4 danger alert under the country's new weather warning system. The storm also exposed challenges surrounding evacuation behavior, as many residents chose not to leave their homes despite official warnings affecting more than 1.6 million people across the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Typhoon Jangmi Disrupts Transport Across Eastern Japan as Rail and Flight Services Begin Recovery

[updated 10:50 p.m.] Typhoon Jangmi (Typhoon No. 6) continued to disrupt transport across eastern Japan late on June 3rd, although many major rail and air services began shifting into recovery mode after the storm moved away into the Pacific, with nearly 900 flights canceled during the day, several regional railway lines still suspended, and operators warning that delays and reduced services could linger into June 4th.

Typhoon No. 6 Swamps Popular Ise Tourist Town

Flooding was reported around the popular tourist district of Oharai-machi in Ise City following the passage of Typhoon No. 6, with some businesses forced to clean up after floodwaters overflowed from a nearby river during the early hours of June 3rd.

Residents Urged to Seek Safety as Extreme Rain Batters Izu

A breaking weather alert was issued for the Izu region of Shizuoka Prefecture early Wednesday morning, after the formation of a linear rain band, a phenomenon capable of producing prolonged and extremely intense rainfall over the same area. Authorities warned that the risk of disasters has risen sharply as heavy rain continues to fall, increasing the likelihood of flooding, landslides, and other weather-related emergencies.

Level 5 Flooding Report Issued for Rivers in Tokushima

[updated 03:30 a.m.] Authorities issued a Level 5 Flood Occurrence Information alert for the Kuwano River and the Naka River tributary in Tokushima Prefecture, warning that flooding may already be underway and urging residents to take immediate action to protect their lives.

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