Residents on the streets described the influence of the dryness on each day life, saying, “My child’s hands are getting cracked and painful,” “My hands are so dry I can’t even open plastic packaging,” and “My baby’s cheeks turn red, so we keep applying moisturizer.”

The exceptionally low rainfall, described as a once-in-30-years occasion, is now affecting faucet water high quality as nicely.

The reporting workforce visited a house in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, the place residents poured a glass of faucet water they normally drink. At first look, it appeared regular, however the metropolis has been flooded with complaints about faucet water.

Since the beginning of 2026, round 40 inquiries have been acquired by town, with residents reporting that “the tap water has smelled strange since the New Year” and that it has a “musty or earthy, almost inky odor.”

The trigger is the extended absence of rain, which has now stretched for greater than a month. At the Naka River, the water supply for Mito, water ranges have fallen so low that the riverbed is uncovered in locations.

Mito recorded a complete of 0.0 millimeters of rainfall in January, marking an irregular state of affairs not seen in 84 years, with no substantial rain falling for the reason that begin of 2026.

Footage from river cameras put in alongside the Naka River exhibits a transparent discount in water circulation, with the river narrowing considerably.

According to data posted on town’s web site, when river water ranges drop, a sort of phytoplankton can kind on the riverbed and launch substances that trigger musty odors. While town says the faucet water stays secure to drink, residents have voiced concern, saying, “It’s worrying because we use it for bathing and washing dishes,” and “Even when I make barley tea, the smell remains. It smells moldy and I don’t want to drink it.”

The uncommon adjustments in water high quality brought on by the shortage of rain will not be restricted to Mito. In Hitachinaka, which additionally attracts water from the Naka River, related musty odors in faucet water have been reported.

The reporting workforce visited the Kamitsubo Water Treatment Plant in Hitachinaka, the place officers mentioned they’re taking measures to take away the odor. To eradicate the compounds chargeable for the musty scent, the quantity of activated carbon being added has been elevated, strengthening the purification course of.

When the present river water was gently warmed and smelled, a robust musty odor linked to drought situations was noticeable. After activated carbon therapy, a employees member who drank the water mentioned it tasted like “the familiar tap water we’re used to.”

The document low rainfall, described as a once-in-30-years occasion, is affecting vast areas of the nation, with drought situations worsening throughout a lot of the Pacific facet of Japan from Kanto to Kyushu, the place little to no significant rain has fallen for the reason that begin of the 12 months.

In Shizuoka City, which additionally recorded 0.0 millimeters of rainfall in January, sections of the Abe River have dried up fully, creating gaps the place the circulation has stopped. At the Aono Daishi Dam, which provides water to Minamiizu Town in Shizuoka Prefecture, the dam flooring is faintly seen, with surrounding rock surfaces totally uncovered and a few areas dried and cracked.

Although a small quantity of water stays, the reservoir’s efficient storage for faucet water and agricultural use has fallen to 0 %. However, as a result of there’s a river downstream of the dam, officers say water consumption restrictions will not be instantly essential.

In Kochi Prefecture, water ranges on the Owataridam in Niyodogawa Town have additionally dropped considerably.

Japan continues to expertise excessive climate, with record-breaking snowfall alongside the Sea of Japan coast, whereas forecasts recommend snow flurries could fall in central Tokyo on the night time of February 2nd, although not sufficient to ease the water scarcity.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, little substantial rainfall is predicted for concerning the subsequent month, elevating issues that the influence on each day life will proceed.

Source: FNN

At a division retailer venue filled with guests, some buyers mentioned that they had waited for greater than an hour, calling the treats a well-earned reward, because the occasion brings collectively a wide array of anko sweets that has confirmed irresistible to followers of conventional flavors.

Asked concerning the enchantment, one customer mentioned it could be as a result of anko feels lighter than chocolate, a sentiment echoed all through the venue, the place traditional strawberry daifuku wrapped in freshly steamed mochi sit alongside extra uncommon varieties crammed with blueberries or framboise, paired with matcha and anko in wealthy but balanced mixtures.

One of the longest traces shaped in entrance of a stall promoting dorayaki that resemble fluffy pancakes, with meringue blended into the batter, making a mushy texture that pairs easily with mildly candy chunky anko and fermented butter, prompting clients to exclaim that the style was pure happiness and felt like a dream world.

Some buyers had been seen shopping for in bulk, with one estimating their whole had already reached round 15,000 yen and including that they weren’t completed but, because the anko-themed occasion continues via February 14th.

Source: TBS

Travelers interviewed domestically stated they had been selecting to not go to Japan in keeping with authorities steering or out of concern for security, citing reviews of rising anti-China sentiment. The cooling of Japan-China relations seems to be reshaping Lunar New Year journey patterns, elevating questions in regards to the affect on Japan as the vacation approaches.

An emergency go to to Shanghai highlighted the festive temper spreading throughout China forward of the vacation. At Shanghai Disneyland, crimson lantern installations adorned the plaza in entrance of the long-lasting fortress, making a celebratory ambiance, whereas characters like Mickey Mouse appeared in Lunar New Year-themed apparel. Fireworks lit up the sky as town entered countdown mode for the lunar calendar’s New Year celebrations.

This yr’s Lunar New Year vacation runs from January 15 to January 23, forming a nine-day break. According to Chinese authorities estimates, journey linked to the vacation interval from January 14 by way of February 13 will complete a report 9.5 billion journeys over 40 days. Major transport hubs had been already crowded, with vacationers filling flooring even earlier than the height interval arrived.

Despite the surge in home journey, a notable change has emerged in abroad locations. Japan, lengthy a favourite amongst Chinese holidaymakers, has seen demand sharply decline. Some vacationers stated they had been following authorities recommendation to keep away from Japan, whereas others cited security issues after listening to that anti-China sentiment had intensified.

Chinese journey businesses reported that Japan, which ranked third amongst abroad locations final yr, has fallen out of the highest 10 this yr. On December 26, China’s Foreign Ministry issued an advisory urging residents to chorus from touring to Japan in the interim, citing issues over public security and crime.

Following the advisory, Chinese social media platforms have been flooded with posts urging folks to not go to Japan throughout the Lunar New Year. Many customers echoed the federal government’s stance, with some saying they might wait till bilateral relations enhance, whereas others argued that spending cash domestically was preferable to supporting international economies.

Journalist Kondo, who intently follows Chinese political developments, stated the backdrop contains Japan’s security-related statements. He pointed to remarks made within the Diet final yr by Prime Minister Ishiba concerning contingencies involving Taiwan and conditions threatening Japan’s survival, which had been interpreted by China as hostile. In a political system the place authorities indicators carry sturdy weight, Kondo stated, it turns into troublesome for residents to go in opposition to official steering as soon as a transparent stance is communicated.

Kondo added that the deterioration in relations may have broader penalties for Japan. He argued that China could really feel emboldened by what it perceives as a extra favorable worldwide setting, noting that leaders from Canada, France, and the United Kingdom have just lately visited China and signaled a willingness to interact. Against that backdrop, China could really feel capable of take a more durable line towards Japan with out going through coordinated pushback from the United States or the G7.

As Japan’s recognition wanes, South Korea has emerged as the highest abroad vacation spot for Chinese Lunar New Year vacationers, with Seoul rating first. On the bottom in South Korea, fashionable vacationer areas have seen a visual improve in Chinese guests. Restaurant operators stated many Chinese vacationers had been arriving in organized tour teams, filling streets lined with eateries.

Some Chinese vacationers in Seoul stated Japan had initially been an possibility however was in the end dominated out as a result of strained relations and restricted availability of excursions and flights. Others stated members of the family, notably older kin, had urged them to not journey to Japan.

In Japan, the affect is already being felt. In Osaka, reporters discovered that Chinese vacationer numbers had declined noticeably round Tsutenkaku, a landmark that usually attracts massive crowds throughout the Lunar New Year interval. Local officers stated Chinese guests often account for simply over 10% of complete tourism, and that section has fallen sharply this yr.

At Tsutenkaku, ema prayer plaques written in Japanese and different languages had been extra distinguished than common, with far fewer inscriptions in Chinese. While the downturn has raised issues, some enterprise leaders see a possibility. One native government stated reliance on the Chinese market had at all times been a threat and described the present scenario as an opportunity to draw guests from different international locations, turning a “China shock” into a possibility for diversification.

As for the way lengthy the scenario could final, Kondo stated China made its stance towards Japan clear as early as November, and he expects the present hardline method to proceed for at the least a yr.

The financial stakes are excessive. Last yr, inbound customer numbers to Japan had been led by South Korea and China, every sending greater than 9 million vacationers. In phrases of spending, nevertheless, China ranked first, with consumption totaling roughly 2 trillion yen, accounting for greater than 20% of Japan’s complete inbound tourism spending.

Analysts warn that the decline in Chinese guests may due to this fact have an outsized financial affect. As a response, some consultants argue Japan ought to speed up a shift in its tourism technique, transferring from a deal with mass retail purchases to higher-value experiential companies, and from broad mass tourism towards extra clearly outlined segments based mostly on revenue, pursuits, or different attributes.

By focusing on smaller numbers of higher-spending guests and adopting a extra proactive method to attracting particular buyer teams, they argue, Japan may flip the present downturn into a possibility to construct a extra resilient and sustainable inbound tourism business, whilst Japan-China relations stay strained.

Source: KTV NEWS

According to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Yao Garrison, the 2 service members, each 21-year-old privates top quality assigned to the Central Air Defense Force Aviation Unit, used hashish on a number of events between round November 2023 and round April 2024, resulting in their disciplinary dismissal.

A colleague who suspected the 2 of utilizing hashish reported the matter to a superior, and an inside investigation later confirmed that each admitted to the drug use, prompting the unit to inform the police.

The commander of the Central Air Defense Force Aviation Unit stated, “I deeply regret that members of the Self-Defense Forces, who are expected to uphold discipline, have caused such an incident, and we will take all possible measures to prevent a recurrence.”

Source: KTV NEWS

The man was seen being restrained on the bottom by law enforcement officials and was later confirmed to be a person authorities had been looking for.

According to police, a patrol automobile started pursuing the person whereas he was driving, after which he exited the automobile and tried to flee on foot. The suspect bumped into the other lane of site visitors, prompting 4 law enforcement officials to offer chase earlier than subduing him close to the central median.

A witness who was touring within the space described the scene as horrifying and chaotic, saying it felt like one thing out of a drama, including that being caught on the scene was surprising and complicated, with patrol vehicles arriving one after one other and no clear sense of the place it was protected to cease.

Police arrested the suspect, a 40-year-old building employee, on suspicion of promoting 5 instruments for about 100,000 yen whereas realizing the gadgets had been stolen.

Source: FNN

The river, later immortalized because the setting of Mori Ogai’s novel Takasebune, is a well known vacationer spot, however footage taken in 2010 confirmed sections of the riverbed uncovered after water ranges dropped so sharply that elements of the channel ran dry.

Kyoto City says water started leaking round 2006 from deteriorating stone embankments, inflicting repeated declines in water ranges, with downstream sections from Sanjo Street at one level utterly drying up.

In response, town launched restoration work in 2010, filling gaps within the stonework with concrete and laying protecting sheets alongside the riverbed to stop additional leakage, investing about 11 billion yen in a undertaking that has now restored a gradual movement of water.

The head of an area group lengthy concerned in cleansing and sustaining the river stated stagnant water had triggered algae to rot and produce foul odors, including that his preferrred is to show the Takase River right into a second “Philosopher’s Path.”

Kyoto Mayor Matsui Koji additionally stated he has already seen environmental adjustments following the restoration, stating that white herons have returned and fish are current regardless of comparatively low water ranges, describing the undertaking as a type of Kyoto-style city improvement that preserves custom whereas updating it for the current.

Source: MBS

In response to the case, a senior official of Japan’s National Police Agency visited Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, on February third to carry talks with the Thai police deputy commissioner and different officers on measures to fight worldwide human trafficking. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation, together with sharing data to establish these accountable and enhancing safety for victims.

Ueki Yuriko, head of the Public Morals and Entertainment Business Environment Office on the National Police Agency’s Security Bureau, stated, “Such crimes are absolutely unacceptable, and that is why close cooperation between the police authorities of both countries is extremely important.”

Thai police deputy commissioner Tatchai stated there’s suspicion {that a} complete of six individuals, each Thai and Japanese, have been concerned within the case involving the lady, including that Thai authorities will proceed with the investigation in cooperation with their Japanese counterparts.

Source: TBS