Japan: Localized Storms Bring Heavy Rain and Hail to Greater Tokyo Area 2

Localized thunderstorms, heavy rain, and hail struck parts of the greater Tokyo area on Friday afternoon, June 12, as driving rain lashed neighborhoods across the region.

[Breaking News]JAL Ohtani jet's final flight

Fukuoka, Japan, June 11 Kyodo - Video taken at Fukuoka airport on June 10, 2026, shows the "Dream Sho Jet" passenger plane, adorned with an image of Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani, before it made its final flight to Tokyo's Haneda airport. (Kyodo)

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan fans cheer during a public viewing in Tokyo on June 15, 2026, for a World Cup Group F football match against the Netherlands in Texas.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan fans cheer during a public viewing in Tokyo on June 15, 2026, for a World Cup Group F football match against the Netherlands in Texas.

Football: 2026 World Cup

Football: 2026 World Cup

Japan fans cheer during a public viewing in Tokyo on June 15, 2026, for a World Cup Group F football match against the Netherlands in Texas.

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi departs from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for her first trip to Europe since taking office in October. Takaichi will visit Britain and Italy before attending a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains.

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi departs from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for her first trip to Europe since taking office in October. Takaichi will visit Britain and Italy before attending a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains.

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi departs from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for her first trip to Europe since taking office in October. Takaichi will visit Britain and Italy before attending a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains.

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi departs from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for her first trip to Europe since taking office in October. Takaichi will visit Britain and Italy before attending a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains.

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japan PM Takaichi heads to Europe

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi departs from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for her first trip to Europe since taking office in October. Takaichi will visit Britain and Italy before attending a Group of Seven summit in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains.

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako depart from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for a trip to the Netherlands and Belgium.

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako depart from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for a trip to the Netherlands and Belgium.

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako depart from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for a trip to the Netherlands and Belgium.

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako depart from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for a trip to the Netherlands and Belgium.

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako depart from Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, for a trip to the Netherlands and Belgium.

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (3rd from R) and Empress Masako are greeted by Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, ahead of their departure for a trip to the Netherlands and Belgium.

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (L, front) and Empress Masako (R) walk at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, before their departure for a trip to the Netherlands and Belgium.

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's emperor, empress begin trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (C) and Empress Masako are greeted by Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko at Tokyo's Haneda airport on June 13, 2026, ahead of their departure for a trip to the Netherlands and Belgium.

Tokyo Tower lit up in blue

Tokyo Tower lit up in blue

Tokyo Tower is illuminated in blue, the Japan's national football team's color, in the capital on June 11, 2026, as the 2026 World Cup finals hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico open the same day.

Tokyo Tower lit up in blue

Tokyo Tower lit up in blue

Tokyo Tower is illuminated in blue, the Japan's national football team's color, in the capital on June 11, 2026, as the 2026 World Cup finals hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico open the same day.

Tokyo Tower lit up in blue

Tokyo Tower lit up in blue

Tokyo Tower is illuminated in blue, the Japan's national football team's color, in the capital on June 11, 2026, as the 2026 World Cup finals hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico open the same day.

Japan: Localized Storms Bring Heavy Rain and Hail to Greater Tokyo Area

Localized thunderstorms, heavy rain, and hail struck parts of the greater Tokyo area on Friday afternoon, June 12, as driving rain lashed neighborhoods across the region.

Japan: Sudden Thunderstorm Disrupts Food Event at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse

Localized thunderstorms, heavy rain, and hail struck parts of the greater Tokyo area Friday afternoon, June 12. This footage was captured at the Red Brick Warehouse in Yokohama, where a food event was underway. The video shows visitors rushing for shelter amid strong winds, with cardboard boxes being blown across the ground.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 12, 2026. The government said the prime minister will visit Britain and Italy for bilateral talks and France for the Group of Seven summit in Evian.

Japan PM Takaichi

Japan PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 12, 2026. The government said the prime minister will visit Britain and Italy for bilateral talks and France for the Group of Seven summit in Evian.

Kioxia becomes biggest Japan company by market cap

Kioxia becomes biggest Japan company by market cap

Photo taken in Tokyo on May 14, 2026, shows a signboard with a Kioxia Holdings Corp. logo. The flash memory maker surpassed Toyota Motor Corp. as Japan's largest company in terms of total market value on June 12, 2026.

Japan Defense Minister Koizumi

Japan Defense Minister Koizumi

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi holds a press conference at a parliament building in Tokyo on June 12, 2026.

Emperor ahead of trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Emperor ahead of trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito attends a press conference at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on June 11, 2026, ahead of his official visit to the Netherlands and Belgium. Empress Masako will accompany him during the trip from June 13 through June 25. (Pool photo)

Emperor ahead of trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Emperor ahead of trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito attends a press conference at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on June 11, 2026, ahead of his official visit to the Netherlands and Belgium. Empress Masako will accompany him during the trip from June 13 through June 25. (Pool photo)

Emperor ahead of trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Emperor ahead of trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito attends a press conference at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on June 11, 2026, ahead of his official visit to the Netherlands and Belgium. Empress Masako will accompany him during the trip from June 13 through June 25. (Pool photo)

Emperor ahead of trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Emperor ahead of trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito attends a press conference at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on June 11, 2026, ahead of his official visit to the Netherlands and Belgium. Empress Masako will accompany him during the trip from June 13 through June 25. (Pool photo)

Emperor ahead of trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Emperor ahead of trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito attends a press conference at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on June 11, 2026, ahead of his official visit to the Netherlands and Belgium. Empress Masako will accompany him during the trip from June 13 through June 25. (Pool photo)

Emperor ahead of trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Emperor ahead of trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito attends a press conference at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on June 11, 2026, ahead of his official visit to the Netherlands and Belgium. Empress Masako will accompany him during the trip from June 13 through June 25. (Pool photo)

Emperor ahead of trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Emperor ahead of trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito attends a press conference at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on June 11, 2026, ahead of his official visit to the Netherlands and Belgium. Empress Masako will accompany him during the trip from June 13 through June 25. (Pool photo)

Emperor ahead of trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Emperor ahead of trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito attends a press conference at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on June 11, 2026, ahead of his official visit to the Netherlands and Belgium. Empress Masako will accompany him during the trip from June 13 through June 25. (Pool photo)

Emperor ahead of trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Emperor ahead of trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito attends a press conference at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on June 11, 2026, ahead of his official visit to the Netherlands and Belgium. Empress Masako will accompany him during the trip from June 13 through June 25. (Pool photo)

Emperor ahead of trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Emperor ahead of trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito attends a press conference at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on June 11, 2026, ahead of his official visit to the Netherlands and Belgium. Empress Masako will accompany him during the trip from June 13 through June 25. (Pool photo)

Emperor ahead of trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Emperor ahead of trip to Netherlands, Belgium

Japan's Emperor Naruhito attends a press conference at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on June 11, 2026, ahead of his official visit to the Netherlands and Belgium. Empress Masako will accompany him during the trip from June 13 through June 25. (Pool photo)

Rugby: Jones announces Brave Blossoms' training squad

Rugby: Jones announces Brave Blossoms' training squad

Japan rugby head coach Eddie Jones speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on June 10, 2026. Jones apologized for his "verbal abuse" of local match officials during an April tour of Australia, while announcing the Brave Blossoms' training squad for test matches against Italy, Ireland and others.

Rugby: Jones announces Brave Blossoms' training squad

Rugby: Jones announces Brave Blossoms' training squad

Japan rugby head coach Eddie Jones speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on June 10, 2026, announcing the Brave Blossoms' training squad for test matches against Italy, Ireland and others.

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken in January 1994 at the parliament building in Tokyo shows Liberal Democratic Party leader Yohei Kono (L) shaking hands with Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa. Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, known for announcing the Japanese government's landmark apology over Korean "comfort women" who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels, died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken in Tokyo on Aug. 4, 2016, shows Yohei Kono speaking during an interview. Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, known for announcing the Japanese government's landmark apology over Korean "comfort women" who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels, died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken in August 1993 at the prime minister's office in Tokyo shows Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono issuing an official statement acknowledging the Japanese military's responsibility for the forced labor of Korean "comfort women" in Japan's wartime military brothels, and announcing the government's landmark apology for the issue. Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken in June 1994 at the parliament building in Tokyo shows (from R) Liberal Democratic Party leader Yohei Kono, Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama of the Japan Socialist Party and New Party Sakigake leader Masayoshi Takemura shaking hands before a meeting to form the Cabinet of their new coalition government. Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, known for announcing the Japanese government's landmark apology over Korean "comfort women" who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels, died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken in July 1993 at the Liberal Democratic Party's headquarters in Tokyo shows Yohei Kono (L) following his victory in the party's presidential election. Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, known for announcing the Japanese government's landmark apology over Korean "comfort women" who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels, died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken in September 2005 shows Yohei Kono (L) and his son Taro pointing at their nameplates as they arrived at the parliament building in Tokyo following a general election of the Japanese House of Representatives. Yohei Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, known for announcing the Japanese government's landmark apology over Korean "comfort women" who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels, died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken in Tokyo on March 23, 2025, shows Yohei Kono (L), former speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives, posing for a photo with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, known for announcing the Japanese government's landmark apology over Korean "comfort women" who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels, died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken in Tokyo on July 21, 2009, shows Japanese House of Representatives speaker Yohei Kono announcing the dissolution of the lower house during its plenary session. Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, known for announcing the Japanese government's landmark apology over Korean "comfort women" who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels, died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

Former Japanese lower house speaker Kono dies

File photo taken in July 1994 shows Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono (R) chatting with Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama ahead of a Cabinet meeting at the premier's office in Tokyo. Kono, former speaker of the House of Representatives, known for announcing the Japanese government's landmark apology over Korean "comfort women" who were forced to work in Japan's wartime military brothels, died on June 8, 2026, aged 89.

Japan, Laos summit talks

Japan, Laos summit talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (far R) holds talks with Laos' Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (2nd from L) at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 10, 2026. The leaders agreed to advance cooperation aimed at strengthening regional energy and resource security as well as supply-chain resilience.