Tokyo International News Agency

On July 20, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) announced that the rainy season ( tsuyu ) has likely ended in the Kanto-Koshin and Tokai regions. This arrival of summer is one day later than average, and 22 to 23 days later than last year, which saw a historically early end to the rainy season. While many are excited for the long-awaited summer, concerns are mounting over "dangerous heat" due to a sudden surge in temperatures across the country. Tokyo Records First "Extremely Hot Day" of the Year; Heatstroke Alerts Issued in 39 Prefectures Coinciding with the announcement, the Japanese archipelago was hit by intense sunshine. Central Tokyo recorded its first "extremely hot day" of the year (defined as temperatures reaching 35°C/95°F or higher). With Heatstroke Alerts issued across 39 prefectures, it marked a scorching start to the mid-summer season. On social media, posts urging precautions surged, with many sharing safety tips like, "The real heat ...

On July 8, 2026, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) announced that the rainy season is believed to have ended in northern Kyushu, Chugoku, and the Kinki regions. This marks the arrival of summer 11 days earlier than the average year (typically around July 19). The sudden announcement sparked a wave of surprise and excitement on social media. Users posted about experiencing the harsh summer sun firsthand, with comments like "It's so hot outside" and "The type of heat has completely changed." Many also urged others to take precautions against heatstroke and to stay hydrated as the country enters the peak of summer. On the other hand, some users expressed confusion over the early transition or wondered why southern Kyushu has yet to see its rainy season end. While the character of this year's rainy season varied greatly by region—some experiencing a dry spell known as "kara-tsuyu" and others facing heavy downpours—this latest announcement signals a...

On June 7, 2026, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) announced that the Kanto-Koshin and Tokai regions have likely entered the rainy season. The arrival of the long-awaited wet season has quickly become a major topic of discussion across social media. According to the JMA, the start of the rainy season in the Kanto-Koshin region is on par with an average year, though it comes 16 days later than last year. Meanwhile, the Tokai region saw its rainy season begin one day later than average and 21 days later than last year. Because last year featured an unusually early start, this year's transition feels considerably delayed, despite being right on schedule historically. On average, the rainy season in both regions ends around July 19. Over the coming week, active weather fronts and humid air are expected to bring predominantly cloudy and rainy conditions. In recent years, climate change has increased the frequency of localized torrential downpours, "guerrilla rainstorms," a...

On June 4, 2026, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and regional meteorological observatories announced that the northern Kyushu region (including Yamaguchi Prefecture), the Chugoku region, and the Kinki region have likely entered the rainy season (known as tsuyu in Japanese). Following previous announcements for Okinawa, Amami, and southern Kyushu, the entirety of Western Japan has now entered the annual wet season. While this year's rainy season arrived right around the average historical date, it represents a delay of over two weeks (18 to 19 days) compared to last year's record-early start. The seasonal shift quickly became a hot topic on social media, with many users commenting on the sudden onset of humid weather and expressing concern over wet daily commutes. The arrival comes immediately after the passage of Typhoon No. 6. A seasonal rain front is currently moving northward from the west, destabilizing atmospheric conditions across Western Japan. The JMA has warned ...

On May 4, 2026, the Okinawa Meteorological Office announced that the Okinawa region has likely entered the rainy season, known as Tsuyu. This arrival is six days earlier than the average year and one day earlier than last year. As the announcement came in the midst of the Golden Week holidays, social media has been flooded with voices of surprise and concern over the impact on daily life. According to the meteorological office, a weather front and moist air are expected to bring many cloudy and rainy days over the coming week. Notably, the rainy season began in Okinawa later than in the Amami region this year, a phenomenon that has not occurred in seven years since 2019 (based on preliminary data). While the rainy season usually concludes around June 21, the battle against persistent humidity has officially begun earlier than usual. On X (formerly Twitter), posts such as "Is it rainy season already?" and "It’s way too early" have been trending. Given the timing duri...

On May 3, 2026, the Kagoshima Local Meteorological Observatory announced that the Amami region of Kagoshima Prefecture has likely entered the rainy season. This marks the first rainy season declaration anywhere in Japan this year. This year's start in the Amami region arrived nine days earlier than average and two days earlier than last year. Notably, this is the first time in seven years—since 2019—that the rainy season has been declared in the Amami region before the Okinawa region. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the Amami region is currently experiencing mostly cloudy skies due to the influence of a seasonal front and humid air. The forecast for the coming week predicts a continuation of cloudy and rainy days. Authorities have issued a warning for potential heavy rain reaching emergency levels across a wide area through May 4, urging residents to remain vigilant. Coming in the middle of the Golden Week holidays, the announcement sparked a wave of surprise on socia...