[Breaking News]Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

TOKYO, Japan, Oct. 23 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures. (Kyodo)

Japan: Mount Fuji Gets First Snowcap of Season 2

Mount Fuji saw its first snowfall of the season on Thursday, October 23. According to the Kofu Local Meteorological Observatory, this year’s first snow came 15 days earlier than last year — when it was first observed in November for the first time since records began in 1894 — but 21 days later than the seasonal average. This video was filmed inside the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train as it passed through Shizuoka Prefecture.

Japan: Mount Fuji Gets First Snowcap of Season

Mount Fuji saw its first snowfall of the season on Thursday, October 23. According to the Kofu Local Meteorological Observatory, this year’s first snow came 15 days earlier than last year — when it was first observed in November for the first time since records began in 1894 — but 21 days later than the seasonal average.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken on Oct. 23, 2025, from the town of Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan, shows the season's first snow-capped Mt. Fuji, the country's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken on Oct. 23, 2025, from the town of Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan, shows the season's first snow-capped Mt. Fuji, the country's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken on Oct. 23, 2025, from the town of Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan, shows the season's first snow-capped Mt. Fuji, the country's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken on Oct. 23, 2025, from Fujikawaguchiko town in Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan, shows the season's first snow-capped Mt. Fuji, the country's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Snowcap on Japan's Mt. Fuji

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Oct. 23, 2025, shows the season's first snowcap on Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest mountain located on the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.

Man acquitted of 1966 murder case files damages suit

SHIZUOKA, Japan, Oct. 9 Kyodo - Lawyers for Iwao Hakamata, a former death-row inmate acquitted in a 2024 retrial over a 1966 quadruple murder, head for the Shizuoka District Court in the central Japan city on Oct. 9, 2025, to file damages lawsuit against the state and Shizuoka Prefecture over fabricated evidence. The filing was performed by his lawyers as he has difficulty communicating due to post-incarceration syndrome. (Kyodo)

Golf: Stanley Ladies

Golf: Stanley Ladies

Yui Kawamoto poses with the victor's trophy after winning the Stanley Ladies golf tournament at Tomei Country Club in Susono in the central Japan prefecture of Shizuoka on Oct. 12, 2025.

Golf: Stanley Ladies

Golf: Stanley Ladies

Yui Kawamoto poses with the victor's trophy after winning the Stanley Ladies golf tournament at Tomei Country Club in Susono in the central Japan prefecture of Shizuoka on Oct. 12, 2025.

Sun conures

Sun conures

Sun conures peck feed at Kakegawa Kachouen bird and flower park in Kakegawa in the central Japan prefecture of Shizuoka on Sept. 24, 2025.

Sun conures

Sun conures

Sun conures peck feed at Kakegawa Kachouen bird and flower park in Kakegawa in the central Japan prefecture of Shizuoka on Sept. 24, 2025.

Sun conures

Sun conures

Sun conures peck feed at Kakegawa Kachouen bird and flower park in Kakegawa in the central Japan prefecture of Shizuoka on Sept. 24, 2025.

Sun conures

Sun conures

Sun conures perch on a branch at Kakegawa Kachouen bird and flower park in Kakegawa in the central Japan prefecture of Shizuoka on Sept. 24, 2025.

Man acquitted of 1966 murder case files damages suit

Man acquitted of 1966 murder case files damages suit

Lawyers for Iwao Hakamata, a former death-row inmate acquitted in a 2024 retrial over a 1966 quadruple murder, head for the Shizuoka District Court in the central Japan city on Oct. 9, 2025, to file damages lawsuit against the state and Shizuoka Prefecture over fabricated evidence. The filing was performed by his lawyers as he has difficulty communicating due to post-incarceration syndrome.

Man acquitted of 1966 murder case files damages suit

Man acquitted of 1966 murder case files damages suit

Lawyers for Iwao Hakamata, a former death-row inmate acquitted in a 2024 retrial over a 1966 quadruple murder, head for the Shizuoka District Court in the central Japan city on Oct. 9, 2025, to file damages lawsuit against the state and Shizuoka Prefecture over fabricated evidence. The filing was performed by his lawyers as he has difficulty communicating due to post-incarceration syndrome.

[Breaking News]Toyota's "Woven City" launched

SUSONO, Japan, Sept. 25 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the just launched first-phase zone of an experimental community called "Woven City" that Toyota Motor Corp. is building at the foot of Mt. Fuji in Susono in the central Japan prefecture of Shizuoka on Sept. 25, 2025, envisioning the future of mobility. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Typhoon in Japan

MAKINOHARA, Japan, Sept. 5 Kyodo - Video taken on Sept. 5, 2025, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows roofs and exterior walls of residential houses ripped off in Makinohara in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, following an apparent tornado as a typhoon hit wide areas of Japan. (Kyodo)

Toyota's "Woven City" launched

Toyota's "Woven City" launched

A woman rides a three-wheel electric vehicle on Sept. 25, 2025, in the first-phase zone of Toyota Motor Corp.'s experimental "Woven City," launched at the foot of Mt. Fuji in Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture, which the carmaker is building as a testbed for the future of mobility.

Toyota's "Woven City" launched

Toyota's "Woven City" launched

A woman rides a three-wheel electric vehicle on Sept. 25, 2025, in the first-phase zone of Toyota Motor Corp.'s experimental "Woven City," launched at the foot of Mt. Fuji in Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture, which the carmaker is building as a testbed for the future of mobility.

Toyota's "Woven City" launched

Toyota's "Woven City" launched

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the just launched first-phase zone of an experimental community called "Woven City" that Toyota Motor Corp. is building at the foot of Mt. Fuji in Susono in the central Japan prefecture of Shizuoka on Sept. 25, 2025, envisioning the future of mobility.

Toyota's "Woven City" launched

Toyota's "Woven City" launched

Photo taken on Sept. 25, 2025, shows a goods delivery robot in a condominium in the just launched first-phase zone of Toyota Motor Corp.'s experimental community called "Woven City" that the carmaker is building at the foot of Mt. Fuji in Susono in the central Japan prefecture of Shizuoka, envisioning the future of mobility.

Toyota's "Woven City" launched

Toyota's "Woven City" launched

Photo taken on Sept. 25, 2025, shows Toyota Motor Corp.'s e-Palette mobile store vehicle in the just launched first-phase zone of an experimental community called "Woven City" that the carmaker is building at the foot of Mt. Fuji in Susono in the central Japan prefecture of Shizuoka, envisioning the future of mobility.

Toyota's "Woven City" launched

Toyota's "Woven City" launched

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the just launched first-phase zone of an experimental community called "Woven City" that Toyota Motor Corp. is building at the foot of Mt. Fuji in Susono in the central Japan prefecture of Shizuoka on Sept. 25, 2025, envisioning the future of mobility.

Toyota's "Woven City" launched

Toyota's "Woven City" launched

Toyota Motor Corp. Chairman Akio Toyoda declares the launch of the first-phase zone of an experimental community called "Woven City" that the carmaker is building at the foot of Mt. Fuji in Susono in the central Japan prefecture of Shizuoka on Sept. 25, 2025, envisioning the future of mobility.

Mt. Fuji climbing season ends

Mt. Fuji climbing season ends

Officials install a closure sign on Mt. Fuji's Fujinomiya trail in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on Sept. 10, 2025, as the climbing season for Japan's highest mountain ends.

Mt. Fuji climbing season ends

Mt. Fuji climbing season ends

Climbers go down Mt. Fuji's Fujinomiya trail in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on Sept. 10, 2025, as the climbing season for Japan's highest mountain ends.

RECAP: Typhoon Peipah Brings Heavy Rain, Flooding, and Tornado Damage Across Japan

Typhoon Peipah made landfall in Japan on Friday, September 5, first near Sukumo City in Kochi Prefecture before dawn and again in northern Wakayama Prefecture around 9 a.m., bringing heavy rain and flooding across western to eastern regions. In Shizuoka Prefecture, a tornado linked to the storm caused major damage in Makinohara, Yoshida, and Yaizu, toppling buildings, ripping apart greenhouses, and overturning trucks.

Typhoon in Japan

Typhoon in Japan

Photo taken on Sept. 6, 2025, shows a bending electric pole in Makinohara in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, following an apparent tornado as a typhoon hit wide areas of Japan.

Japan: Typhoon Peipah Triggers Suspected Tornadoes in Shizuoka, Injuring Residents 3

Severe weather linked to Typhoon Peipah brought suspected tornado damage to Makinohara City, Kakaegawa City, Yoshida Town, and Yaizu City in Shizuoka Prefecture on Friday, September 5. 23 people were injured, some seriously, and over 200 homes were damaged.

Japan: Typhoon Peipah Brings Heavy Rain and Flooding from West to East 14

Typhoon Peipah made landfall early Friday, September 5, bringing heavy rain and flooding across a wide area from western to eastern Japan. The typhoon first came ashore near Sukumo City in Kochi Prefecture before dawn, then made a second landfall in northern Wakayama Prefecture around 9:00 a.m.

Typhoon in Japan

Typhoon in Japan

An exterior wall of a commercial building is ripped off in Yoshida in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on Sept. 5, 2025, following an apparent tornado as a typhoon hit wide areas of Japan.

Typhoon in Japan

Typhoon in Japan

An exterior wall of a commercial building is ripped off in Yoshida in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on Sept. 5, 2025, following an apparent tornado as a typhoon hit wide areas of Japan.

Typhoon in Japan

Typhoon in Japan

Photo taken on Sept. 5, 2025, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows roofs and exterior walls of residential houses ripped off in Makinohara in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, following an apparent tornado as a typhoon hit wide areas of Japan.

Typhoon in Japan

Typhoon in Japan

Photo taken on Sept. 5, 2025, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows roofs and exterior walls of residential houses ripped off in Makinohara in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, following an apparent tornado as a typhoon hit wide areas of Japan.

Japan: Typhoon Peipah Brings Heavy Rain and Flooding from West to East 9

Typhoon Peipah made landfall early Friday, September 5, bringing heavy rain and flooding across a wide area from western to eastern Japan. The typhoon first came ashore near Sukumo City in Kochi Prefecture before dawn, then made a second landfall in northern Wakayama Prefecture around 9:00 a.m.

Japan: Typhoon Peipah Triggers Suspected Tornadoes in Shizuoka, Injuring Residents 2

Severe weather linked to Typhoon Peipah brought suspected tornado damage to Makinohara City, Yoshida Town, and Yaizu City in Shizuoka Prefecture on Friday, September 5. Buildings suffered collapsed walls, damaged roofs, and overturned trucks, while agricultural greenhouses were blown apart. In Yaizu’s Fujimori district, a man in his 40s working inside a strawberry greenhouse was injured when it was torn away, suffering facial fractures. He was hospitalized but conscious. Other injuries from broken glass were also reported.

Japan: Typhoon Peipah Brings Heavy Rain and Flooding from West to East 10

Typhoon Peipah made landfall early Friday, September 5, bringing heavy rain and flooding across a wide area from western to eastern Japan. The typhoon first came ashore near Sukumo City in Kochi Prefecture before dawn, then made a second landfall in northern Wakayama Prefecture around 9:00 a.m.

Typhoon in Japan

Typhoon in Japan

Photo taken on Sept. 5, 2025, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows roofs and exterior walls of residential houses ripped off in Makinohara in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, following an apparent tornado as a typhoon hit wide areas of Japan.

Typhoon in Japan

Typhoon in Japan

Photo taken on Sept. 5, 2025, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows roofs and exterior walls of residential houses ripped off in Makinohara in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, following an apparent tornado as a typhoon hit wide areas of western and eastern Japan.

Japan: Typhoon Peipah Brings Heavy Rain and Flooding from West to East 6

Typhoon Peipah made landfall early Friday, September 5, bringing heavy rain and flooding across a wide area from western to eastern Japan. The typhoon first came ashore near Sukumo City in Kochi Prefecture before dawn, then made a second landfall in northern Wakayama Prefecture around 9:00 a.m. Peipah caused travel disruptions and the Japan Meteorological Agency issued heavy rain and flood warnings for several areas including Tokyo.

Japan: Typhoon Peipah Triggers Suspected Tornadoes in Shizuoka, Injuring Residents

Severe weather linked to Typhoon Peipah brought suspected tornado damage to Makinohara City, Yoshida Town, and Yaizu City in Shizuoka Prefecture on Friday, September 5. Buildings suffered collapsed walls, damaged roofs, and overturned trucks, while agricultural greenhouses were blown apart. In Yaizu’s Fujimori district, a man in his 40s working inside a strawberry greenhouse was injured when it was torn away, suffering facial fractures. He was hospitalized but conscious. Other injuries from broken glass were also reported.

Japan imperial family at villa in Shizuoka Pref.

Japan imperial family at villa in Shizuoka Pref.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako (C) and their daughter, Princess Aiko, talk to people upon arriving at Izu Kyuko Line's Shimoda Station in Shimoda in the central Japan prefecture of Shizuoka on Aug. 1, 2025, to stay at a local imperial villa. (Pool photo)