News archive
Past daily articles for learners.
- daily life
Japan's Heatstroke Alert is running for summer 2026 — what residents should know
Japan's Heatstroke Alert is in operation again for summer 2026. The Ministry of the Environment and the Japan Meteorological Agency issue it for any of the country's 58 regions when the heat index (WBGT) is forecast to reach 33 or higher, announcing it the evening before and again early the next morning. A higher-level 'Special Heatstroke Warning Alert' is issued when WBGT is expected to hit 35 across almost an entire prefecture, signalling dangerous, record-level heat; in that case municipalities may open cooling shelters. When an alert is out, stay indoors with air conditioning, drink water often, avoid outdoor activity and exercise, and check on elderly people and anyone with a chronic illness.
N5N4N3N2N1 - daily life
Much of mainland Japan enters the rainy season, JMA says
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) says much of mainland Japan has now entered the rainy season (tsuyu), which usually runs from around early-to-mid June into mid-July. Expect frequent rain and high humidity, with occasional sudden downpours that can swell rivers and trigger landslides. Practical tips: carry a folding umbrella, check the latest forecast often, and know your evacuation route in case of heavy-rain warnings. The season also brings hydrangeas, a popular early-summer sight.
N5N4N3N2N1 - daily life
JR East to replace magnetic train tickets with QR codes from spring 2027
JR East announced on June 9, 2026 that it will replace all magnetic short-distance paper tickets on its conventional lines with QR code tickets from spring 2027. The change applies to trips up to 100 kilometers. New tickets are roughly five times larger and are scanned at gate readers instead of being inserted into gates. The move eliminates the non-recyclable magnetic layer and removes the complex gate mechanism, reducing jams, breakdowns, and maintenance costs. Eight railway operators including JR East announced a joint de-magnetization plan back in May 2024.
N5N4N3N2N1 - daily life
Japan's new weather alert system adds Level 4 Danger Warning
Japan's Meteorological Agency (JMA) overhauled its disaster weather alert system on May 28, 2026. Warning names for heavy rain, river flooding, landslides, and storm surges now include their alert level number directly (e.g., 'Level 3 Heavy Rain Warning'). The key addition is a new 'Danger Warning' at Level 4, filling the gap between Level 3 (Warning) and Level 5 (Special Warning). When Level 4 is issued, all residents should evacuate immediately to a safe location — including sturdy nearby buildings, not just designated shelters.
N5N4N3N2N1 - government
Japan makes university interviews mandatory from 2027
Japan's Ministry of Education (MEXT) issued new university admissions guidelines on May 27, 2026, requiring interviews to be included in comprehensive selection (AO) and recommendation-based pathways starting with the 2027 intake. The move aims to stop some universities from effectively basing admission decisions solely on academic test scores, which had been seen as disrupting high school students' learning.
N5N4N3N2N1 - society
Japan and Thailand Sign New Foreign Worker Program Deal
Japan and Thailand signed a memorandum of cooperation on June 4, 2026 for a new skill development and employment program for foreign workers. Launching in April 2027, it replaces the long-criticized technical intern training system. Thailand becomes the first country to partner with Japan under the new framework, which includes joint oversight of receiving companies and recruiting agencies.
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