Japan: Level 5 Alert Issued as Torrential Rains Trigger Flooding, Landslide in Kanto Region

Torrential rain pounded a wide swath of the Kanto region in eastern Japan on Friday, July 17, bringing record-breaking downpours to Gunma and southern Tochigi prefectures as well as heavy rain in Tokyo, Yokohama and Kawasaki. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued its highest-level "emergency safety" evacuation order for some areas. A landslide in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture, collapsed a building and left three people unaccounted for.

Japan Diet extended for 8 days

Japan Diet extended for 8 days

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 17, 2026, following parliament's decision to extend its current session for eight days until July 25.

Japan Diet extended for 8 days

Japan Diet extended for 8 days

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 17, 2026, following parliament's decision to extend its current session for eight days until July 25.

Japan Diet extended for 8 days

Japan Diet extended for 8 days

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 17, 2026, following parliament's decision to extend its current session for eight days until July 25.

Japan Diet extended for 8 days

Japan Diet extended for 8 days

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets the press at the premier's office in Tokyo on July 17, 2026, following parliament's decision to extend its current session for eight days until July 25.

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

People visit a square facing the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. Japan enacted the revised Imperial House Law the same day, permitting the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and allowing female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

People visit a square facing the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. Japan enacted the revised Imperial House Law the same day, permitting the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and allowing female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

People visit a square facing the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. Japan enacted the revised Imperial House Law the same day, permitting the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and allowing female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara (front, L) bows after the House of Councillors passed a bill to revise the Imperial House Law during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. The amendment to the 1947 law permits the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and also allows female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stands up after the House of Councillors passed a bill to revise the Imperial House Law during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. The amendment to the 1947 law permits the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and also allows female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stands up after the House of Councillors passed a bill to revise the Imperial House Law during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. The amendment to the 1947 law permits the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and also allows female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stands up after the House of Councillors passed a bill to revise the Imperial House Law during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. The amendment to the 1947 law permits the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and also allows female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan's House of Councillors passes a bill to revise the Imperial House Law during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. The amendment to the 1947 law permits the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and also allows female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan's House of Councillors passes a bill to revise the Imperial House Law during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. The amendment to the 1947 law permits the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and also allows female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan's House of Councillors passes a bill to revise the Imperial House Law during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. The amendment to the 1947 law permits the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and also allows female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a House of Councillors budget committee session in Tokyo on July 17, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a House of Councillors budget committee session in Tokyo on July 17, 2026.

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japan PM Takaichi in parliament

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a House of Councillors budget committee session in Tokyo on July 17, 2026.

Lower house Constitution panel broadcast live

Lower house Constitution panel broadcast live

A session of the House of Representatives panel on the Constitution is broadcast live by Japan's public broadcaster NHK for the first time in Tokyo on July 16, 2026, at the request of both ruling and opposition parties to boost public interest in constitutional issues.

Lower house Constitution panel broadcast live

Lower house Constitution panel broadcast live

A session of the House of Representatives panel on the Constitution is broadcast live by Japan's public broadcaster NHK for the first time in Tokyo on July 16, 2026, at the request of both ruling and opposition parties to boost public interest in constitutional issues.

Pallas's cat kittens in Kobe

Pallas's cat kittens in Kobe

Kittens born to a Pallas's cat, widely considered to be the world's oldest living feline species dating back some 6 million years, are shown to the press on July 16, 2026, for the first time since their birth on May 12 at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe, western Japan. The litter of five are set to make their public debut on July 21.

Lower house Constitution panel broadcast live

Lower house Constitution panel broadcast live

A session of the House of Representatives panel on the Constitution is broadcast live by Japan's public broadcaster NHK for the first time in Tokyo on July 16, 2026, at the request of both ruling and opposition parties to boost public interest in constitutional issues.

Pallas's cat kittens in Kobe

Pallas's cat kittens in Kobe

Kittens born to a Pallas's cat, widely considered to be the world's oldest living feline species dating back some 6 million years, are shown to the press on July 16, 2026, for the first time since their birth on May 12 at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe, western Japan. The litter of five are set to make their public debut on July 21.

Pallas's cat kittens in Kobe

Pallas's cat kittens in Kobe

Kittens born to a Pallas's cat, widely considered to be the world's oldest living feline species dating back some 6 million years, are shown to the press on July 16, 2026, for the first time since their birth on May 12 at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe, western Japan. The litter of five are set to make their public debut on July 21.

Pallas's cat kittens in Kobe

Pallas's cat kittens in Kobe

Kittens born to a Pallas's cat, widely considered to be the world's oldest living feline species dating back some 6 million years, are shown to the press on July 16, 2026, for the first time since their birth on May 12 at Kobe Animal Kingdom in Kobe, western Japan. The litter of five are set to make their public debut on July 21.

Japan Defense Minister Koizumi

Japan Defense Minister Koizumi

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi holds a press conference in Tokyo on July 17, 2026.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Gion Festival in Kyoto

Gion Festival in Kyoto

People fill the streets as decorated floats adorned with illuminated lanterns are displayed during the annual Gion Festival's Yoiyama event in Kyoto, western Japan, on July 16, 2026, the eve of the Yamahoko Junko parade, the highlight of the month-long festival.

Japan national flag at parliament

Japan national flag at parliament

A Japanese national flag is hoisted at the parliament building in Tokyo on July 16, 2026.

Protest against Japan PM Takaichi

Protest against Japan PM Takaichi

People protest against the administration of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on July 16, 2026, ahead of parliament's enactment of a law introducing criminal penalties for desecrating the national flag, a key legislative goal of the prime minister.

Japan-Greece talks

Japan-Greece talks

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (R) shakes hands with his Greek counterpart Georgios Gerapetritis in Tokyo on July 16, 2026.

Protest against Japan PM Takaichi

Protest against Japan PM Takaichi

People protest against the administration of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on July 16, 2026, ahead of parliament's enactment of a law introducing criminal penalties for desecrating the national flag, a key legislative goal of the prime minister.

Event to Promote Japan's Physical AI Policy Abroad

Event to Promote Japan's Physical AI Policy Abroad

An event to promote Japan’s physical AI policy to the international community. The photo shows Ryosei Akazawa,Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (third from the left in the front row), and Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA (fourth from the left), among others.=July 16,2026,Tokyo

Event to Promote Japan's Physical AI Policy Abroad

Event to Promote Japan's Physical AI Policy Abroad

An event to promote Japan’s physical AI policy to the international community. The photo shows Ryosei Akazawa, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.=July 16,2026,Tokyo

Event to Promote Japan's Physical AI Policy Abroad

Event to Promote Japan's Physical AI Policy Abroad

An event to promote Japan’s physical AI policy to the international community. The photo shows Ryosei Akazawa,Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (third from the left in the front row), and Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA (fourth from the left), among others.=July 16,2026,Tokyo

Event to Promote Japan's Physical AI Policy Abroad

Event to Promote Japan's Physical AI Policy Abroad

An event to promote Japan's physical AI policy to the international community. The photo shows Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA.=July 16,2026,Tokyo

Event to Promote Japan's Physical AI Policy Abroad

Event to Promote Japan's Physical AI Policy Abroad

An event to promote Japan’s physical AI policy to the international community. The photo shows, from left, Ryosei Akazawa, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA.=July 16,2026,Tokyo

Golf: British Open

Golf: British Open

Ryo Hisatsune of Japan hits a shot on the 17th hole during the first round of the British Open golf tournament at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, on July 16, 2026.

Golf: British Open

Golf: British Open

Ryo Hisatsune of Japan hits a shot on the 17th hole during the first round of the British Open golf tournament at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, on July 16, 2026.

Golf: British Open

Golf: British Open

Ryo Hisatsune of Japan hits off from the first tee during the first round of the British Open golf tournament at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, on July 16, 2026.

Golf: British Open

Golf: British Open

Ryo Hisatsune of Japan hits a shot on the 16th hole during the first round of the British Open golf tournament at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, on July 16, 2026.

Golf: British Open

Golf: British Open

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan reacts after making a par putt on the second hole during the first round of the British Open golf tournament at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, on July 16, 2026.

Golf: British Open

Golf: British Open

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan hits off from the seventh tee during the first round of the British Open golf tournament at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, on July 16, 2026.

Golf: British Open

Golf: British Open

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan hits a shot on the third hole during the first round of the British Open golf tournament at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, on July 16, 2026.

Golf: British Open

Golf: British Open

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan makes a par putt on the second hole during the first round of the British Open golf tournament at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, on July 16, 2026.

Golf: British Open

Golf: British Open

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan hits off from the second tee during the first round of the British Open golf tournament at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, on July 16, 2026.

Golf: British Open

Golf: British Open

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan hits off from the first tee during the first round of the British Open golf tournament at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, on July 16, 2026.