Japan’s Meteorological Agency has issued a rare warning for a potential mega-earthquake, forecasting the possibility of a magnitude 8 or higher quake within the coming week. The alert follows a series of powerful tremors that recently struck northeastern Japan, including a 7.5-magnitude quake off the northern coast on Monday. Local authorities have strengthened emergency preparedness in coastal areas and urged residents to stay alert and follow safety instructions.

Experts warn that the ongoing seismic activity could significantly impact millions in northern Japan. The country, located along the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire,’ experiences frequent earthquakes, but this is the first time such a high-level alert has been issued. Disaster management agencies are advising people to maintain safe distances from coastal zones and prepare emergency supplies.

While no travel bans have been issued, several foreign governments have advised caution for travelers to Japan. The government remains on high alert, recalling the devastating 2011 quake and tsunami that killed over 18,000 people. Authorities emphasize that Japan’s early warning systems remain among the most advanced globally.

A 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Aomori Prefecture in northeastern Japan on Friday morning, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) to issue a tsunami warning. The quake occurred at a depth of about 20 kilometers at 11:44 a.m. local time, according to JMA reports.

This tremor followed only days after a stronger 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit the same region, raising concerns about ongoing seismic instability. Authorities have urged residents across a wide area—from Hokkaido in the north to Chiba east of Tokyo—to remain alert for possible aftershocks or additional quakes within the coming week.

Japan, located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” experiences frequent seismic activity. The country still bears memories of the devastating 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, which killed or left missing over 22,000 people and triggered the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. The latest events have renewed public attention to Japan’s disaster preparedness and early warning systems.

Japan confirmed that Chinese and Russian strategic bombers conducted a joint long-range patrol around its airspace on Tuesday, prompting Tokyo to scramble fighter jets for monitoring. The Japanese Defense Ministry reported that two Russian Tu-95 nuclear-capable bombers flew from the Sea of Japan toward the East China Sea, joining two Chinese H-6 bombers before proceeding into the Pacific Ocean. Later, four Chinese J-16 fighters joined the formation near Okinawa and Miyako islands.

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi described the operation as a clear show of force against Japan and a serious concern for national security. Russia’s Defense Ministry said the joint flight lasted eight hours, while South Korea also detected several Russian and Chinese aircraft entering its air defense identification zone. The patrol follows an incident where Chinese carrier-based jets allegedly targeted Japanese aircraft with radar.

The coordinated patrol underscores deepening China-Russia military cooperation amid regional tensions over Taiwan and maritime boundaries. Analysts warn that such maneuvers could heighten the risk of miscalculation in the Indo-Pacific.

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan late Monday, injuring at least 23 people and prompting tsunami warnings across several prefectures. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) initially warned of waves up to three meters high for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate, but later downgraded the alerts to advisories after smaller waves of 20 to 70 centimeters were observed. The quake’s epicenter was located about 80 kilometers off Aomori at a depth of 50 kilometers.

Authorities reported power outages affecting around 800 homes, with nearly 480 residents seeking shelter at a local airbase. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged residents to evacuate to higher ground, while Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi deployed 18 helicopters for damage assessment. Train services were suspended, and about 200 passengers were stranded overnight at Hokkaido’s New Chitose Airport. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed no abnormalities at nearby nuclear plants, including Fukushima.

Japan, situated along the seismically active Ring of Fire, experiences roughly 20 percent of the world’s major earthquakes. The latest tremor revived memories of the catastrophic 2011 quake and tsunami that devastated the Tohoku region.

A strong 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan late Monday night, injuring at least 30 people and leaving more than 2,000 homes without electricity. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake’s epicenter was located about 80 kilometers off the coast of Aomori Prefecture at a depth of 50 kilometers beneath the seabed. The agency initially issued a tsunami warning, which was later lifted after no major waves were detected.

Authorities reported that around 70,000 residents from coastal areas of Aomori and nearby regions were temporarily evacuated as a precaution. Prime Minister Sanae Takachi urged citizens to remain alert over the coming days, warning of possible aftershocks and advising households to secure belongings to prevent further damage. Geological experts also cautioned that additional seismic activity could follow.

Emergency crews are working to restore power and assess structural damage. While transportation services have resumed in most areas, officials continue to monitor infrastructure stability and provide shelter for displaced residents.

Japan and Australia have announced a new 'Strategic Defense Coordination Framework' following a high-level meeting in Tokyo, aiming to deepen defense and security cooperation in response to China's growing military activities in the region. The initiative comes just a day after Japan accused Chinese fighter jets of targeting its aircraft with fire-control radar near Okinawa, prompting an official protest from Tokyo.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his Australian counterpart Richard Marles said the framework will institutionalize annual meetings among defense, military, and intelligence officials. Cooperation will extend across cyber defense, space, logistics, and supply-chain management. Both ministers emphasized a 'firm but restrained' approach to maintaining regional stability amid China's assertive posture.

Relations between Japan and China have deteriorated sharply, particularly after remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan’s security implications. Analysts say the new Japan-Australia alignment signals a broader regional effort to counterbalance Beijing’s influence and ensure freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific.

US President Donald Trump has urged Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi not to provoke China amid rising tensions over Taiwan. The appeal came after Takaichi stated that Tokyo might intervene militarily if Taiwan were attacked, sparking one of the most serious diplomatic disputes between Japan and China in recent years. Beijing strongly protested, demanding a retraction of her remarks, which Takaichi refused. During a phone call with Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated that Taiwan’s return to China is an integral part of the international order. Shortly afterward, Trump spoke with Takaichi, advising her to avoid actions or statements that could inflame Beijing but stopped short of pressuring her to withdraw her comments. The Japanese Prime Minister’s office declined to comment when approached by AFP. The situation underscores the delicate balance in US-Japan-China relations amid the ongoing Taiwan question.

A new study from the University of Tokyo suggests that greying hair could serve as a natural defense mechanism against cancer. According to researchers, hair color is determined by melanocyte cells that produce pigment. When these cells experience DNA damage or stress, they stop dividing and enter a state of rest instead of continuing to replicate. This process, known as senescence-coupled differentiation, prevents damaged cells from turning into cancerous ones. Lead researcher Dr. Shige Sukeshi explained that greying hair is not merely a sign of aging but an internal warning signal indicating the body’s protective response against potential cell mutations. The study also highlights that chronic stress, sleep deprivation, and unhealthy lifestyles accelerate melanocyte damage, leading to premature greying. Maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and mental well-being can help preserve normal cell function and delay hair greying. The findings encourage viewing grey hair as a sign of the body’s resilience rather than simply a mark of aging.

Japan is preparing to restart the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture, the world’s largest nuclear facility, after more than a decade of inactivity following the 2011 Fukushima disaster. According to local media reports cited by AFP, the plant may receive final approval from the regional governor this week. Governor Hideyo Hanazumi is expected to hold a press conference on Friday to announce the decision. Initially, only one of the plant’s seven reactors will be reactivated. Japan had shut down all its nuclear reactors after the Fukushima incident due to safety concerns, but rising energy import costs and the need for stable power supply have prompted the government to reconsider nuclear energy. The move marks a significant step in Japan’s gradual return to nuclear power despite lingering public anxiety over safety issues.

Japan’s economy faces mounting pressure as China urges its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan. The advisory has led to mass cancellations of Japan-bound flights and a sharp decline in tourism-related bookings. Tokyo-based East Japan International Travel Service, which mainly serves Chinese group tourists, reports losing about 80% of its bookings for the rest of the year. Tourism contributes roughly 7% to Japan’s GDP, with Chinese and Hong Kong visitors accounting for about one-fifth of all foreign tourists. Analysts at Nomura Research Institute estimate potential losses of around 2.2 trillion yen ($14.23 billion) if the boycott continues. More than ten Chinese airlines have refunded tickets through December 31, with around 500,000 cancellations already reported. The diplomatic standoff has also affected cultural exchanges, with Chinese authorities suspending Japanese film releases and Japanese celebrities publicly reaffirming support for the One-China policy to avoid backlash.

A massive fire has engulfed more than 170 buildings in a coastal city in southern Japan, according to the country’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency. The blaze began around 5:40 p.m. local time on Tuesday and continued burning through the night, leaving homes reduced to rubble. Authorities reported that one person remains missing, though no casualties have been confirmed so far. Approximately 175 residents from the city of Oita, located about 770 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, have taken shelter in emergency evacuation centers. Local media footage showed thick black smoke rising from the mountainous area as the fire spread to nearby forested slopes. Prime Minister Takaiichi stated on social media that a military firefighting helicopter was dispatched at the request of the Oita Prefecture governor. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and firefighting efforts are ongoing to bring the situation under control.

Japan’s Sakurajima volcano, located in the southwestern Kyushu region, erupted early Sunday, sending a massive plume of ash and smoke up to 14,436 feet into the air. The eruption began around 12:57 a.m., marking the first time since October last year that the volcano’s ash cloud exceeded 4,000 meters in height. No casualties or property damage have been reported so far. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued ashfall forecasts for Kagoshima, Kumamoto, and Miyazaki prefectures, advising residents to use umbrellas or masks to protect themselves from falling ash and to drive cautiously. Sakurajima is one of Japan’s most active volcanoes, connected to the Osumi Peninsula on Kyushu’s southern tip. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as minor eruptions persist, though no evacuation orders have been issued yet.

Tensions between Japan and China have intensified following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting that Japan could deploy its Self-Defense Forces if China attacks Taiwan. Beijing summoned Japan’s ambassador to lodge a strong protest and urged Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan. The dispute began after Takaichi’s comments during a parliamentary session, where she said that the use of force near Taiwan could be considered a 'threat to Japan’s survival' under its 2015 security law. In response, a Chinese diplomat made a controversial social media post implying violent rhetoric against Takaichi, which Tokyo condemned as offensive. Both governments have since exchanged formal protests. Despite the backlash, Takaichi refused to retract her statement, asserting it aligns with Japan’s long-standing policy. China later warned Japan to stop 'playing with fire' over Taiwan, calling any interference in the Taiwan Strait an act of aggression. The episode has reignited historical animosities and raised concerns about shifting regional stability.

A 32-year-old Japanese woman known as Kano has held a symbolic wedding ceremony with an artificial intelligence persona she created using ChatGPT, highlighting Japan’s evolving relationship with virtual companionship. The ceremony, held in Okayama, featured traditional elements such as vows, rings, and wedding photos, with the AI groom 'Klaus' appearing through augmented reality. Kano developed emotional attachment to the chatbot after a broken engagement, shaping its personality through daily interactions. The event was organized by specialists in symbolic marriages to fictional or digital characters, reflecting a growing acceptance of non-human unions in Japan. The story has sparked national debate about loneliness, emotional connection, and the psychological implications of AI relationships in a society increasingly shaped by technology and social isolation.

Sony has reported selling 3.9 million PlayStation 5 (PS5) consoles during the third quarter of this year, covering July to September. Since its launch in 2020, total PS5 sales have reached 84.2 million units globally. The company noted a significant rise in demand following the release of the new video game 'Ghost of Yotei,' which sold 3.3 million copies in just one month. Additionally, Sony’s PlayStation Network has surpassed 110 million monthly active users, reflecting continued growth in its digital gaming and media ecosystem. The strong sales performance underscores Sony’s dominance in the console market and the sustained popularity of its gaming platform.