Shinmoedake volcano, part of the Kirishimayama complex in Japan, erupted on August 27, 2025, producing an ash plume rising to 7 km (23 000 feet) a.s.l., which drifted south at 19 km/h (12 mph).
Tropical Storm Lingling formed and made landfall on August 21, 2025, near Hioki City in Kagoshima Prefecture. The storm produced peak gusts of 111 km/h (69 mph) in Kagoshima City and brought heavy rainfall that exceeded monthly averages in parts of southern Kyushu, prompting evacuation orders and landslide warnings.
A bright fireball lit up the night sky over southern Japan at 23:08 JST (14:08 UTC) on August 19, 2025, releasing an estimated 1.6 kilotons of energy as it disintegrated over the Pacific Ocean southeast of Kyushu.
At least three people have been confirmed dead in Kumamoto and Kagoshima prefectures, after record-breaking rainfall triggered deadly floods and landslides across southern Japan between August 10 and 11, 2025.
Record August rainfall caused severe flooding and landslides in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, on August 10–11, 2025, leaving several people missing and prompting evacuation advisories for over 3 million residents and widespread transport disruptions.
A heavy rain emergency was issued for Kirishima City, Kagoshima as record rainfall lashed Kyushu, dropping nearly 500 mm (20 inches) of rain in just 12 hours on August 8, 2025. At least two people were hospitalized in Aira City after a landslide triggered by the heavy rain caused a house to collapse.
Volcanic alert level at Kusatsu-Shiranesan’s Yugama crater, Japan was raised to Level 2 at 05:50 LT on August 4, 2025, following increased seismic activity and minor ground deformation since June.
Isesaki in Gunma Prefecture recorded 41.8°C (107.2°F) at 14:26 LT on August 5, 2025, setting Japan’s highest temperature on record and marking the second time in one week that the national record was broken.
Heavy rainfall of over 100 mm (4 inches) triggered flooding across Tokyo, stranding vehicles and causing widespread damage on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Low-lying areas in the Kanto region remain under the threat of landslides as heavy rainfall continues across the region.
The Japanese government announced this week that much more must be done to prepare for a possible Nankai Trough “megaquake,” after a government panel raised the 30-year probability of a major event to up to 82 percent and new estimates projected as many as 298 000 fatalities and damages of up to USD 2 trillion.
