Evacuation orders lifted as Ofunato fire weakens, Japan
Evacuation orders were lifted for some parts of Ofunato city on March 7, 2025 as Japan’s largest fire in 50 years weakens following rains on march 5.
Japan hit by largest wildfire in over 30 years
A massive forest fire has burned approximately 1 400 ha (3 460 acres) in Akasaki Town, Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, since it broke out on February 26, 2025. This is now the largest wildfire in modern Japan history, surpassing the previous record of 1 030 ha (2 545 acres) set in Kushiro, Hokkaido, in 1992.
One dead, over 80 buildings destroyed as wildfire engulfs Ofunato city in Iwate Prefecture, Japan
A large forest fire broke out in the Akasakicho area, in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, on February 26, 2025, marking the third wildfire in the city this month. It left one dead, destroyed at least 84 buildings, and forced the evacuation of more than 2 100 residents.
Snow depth in Sukayu surpasses 5 m (16.4 feet) for second time since 1979, Japan
Sukayu Onsen, located in the mountains of Japan’s Aomori Prefecture, recorded its heaviest snowfall in 12 years on Thursday, February 12, 2025, with snow depths exceeding 5 m (16.4 feet).
Obihiro sets new 72-hour snowfall record as Japan experiences its strongest cold wave of the season
Japan is experiencing its strongest cold wave of the season, with multiple prefectures recording over 1 m (3.3 feet) of snowfall in just 72 hours, setting multiple records across the country.
Volcanic lightning at Sakurajima volcano during night eruption, Japan
During a nighttime eruption on Thursday, January 30, 2025, the Sakurajima volcano produced an impressive volcanic lightning show, a rare but well-documented phenomenon associated with explosive eruptions.
Sinkhole near Tokyo doubles in size with driver still trapped, Japan
A sinkhole that swallowed a truck and trapped the driver after opening at an intersection in Yashio, part of the Greater Tokyo Area, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, collapsed further on Thursday, January 30, merging with the second opening that formed nearby and nearly doubling in size.
Large sinkhole swallows truck, traps driver in Saitama Prefecture, Japan
A large sinkhole opened up at an intersection in Yashio, Saitama Prefecture, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, swallowing a passing truck and trapping its driver inside.
Nankai Trough megaquake probability raised to 80% after M6.8 Kyushu earthquake, Japan
Japan has increased the estimated probability of a magnitude 8 and 9 megaquake occurring in the Nankai Trough within the next 30 years to around 80% on January 16, 2025, after an M6.8 earthquake hit near the coast of Kyushu. The probability was previously estimated at 70 to 80%.
Strong and shallow M6.8 earthquake hits Kyushu, Japan
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.8 hit near the coast of Kyushu, Japan at 12:19 UTC (21:19 LT) on January 13, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 49 km (30 miles). The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is reporting M6.4 at a depth of 30 km (18 miles).
