Japan is bracing for an extreme heat wave, with authorities issuing heatstroke alerts across 19 prefectures—including central Tokyo and Kanagawa for the first time this year. Officials are calling it a "once-in-a-decade" event, urging residents to take precautions as temperatures soar to dangerous levels.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another hot summer day—it’s a serious health risk. With heatstroke alerts covering major urban areas like Tokyo, the warning underscores how climate extremes are becoming more intense and frequent. For millions, this means adapting daily routines to avoid life-threatening conditions, a stark reminder of the growing challenges posed by global warming.

Japan's top trade official, Ryosei Akazawa, had two phone calls with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick this week—one on Thursday and another on Saturday. The discussions were described as "in-depth exchanges," though the specific topics weren't disclosed.

Editor’s Note: While the details are vague, back-to-back calls between high-level trade officials suggest something's brewing—possibly negotiations or coordination on economic policy. Given the U.S. and Japan's tight trade ties, even routine talks matter, especially with global supply chains and tech competition in flux. Keep an eye out for follow-ups.

A string of earthquakes, including two strong ones on Sunday, has been rattling Japan’s remote Tokara islands since June 21. The tremors, centered in the surrounding seas, have forced more residents to evacuate as safety concerns grow.

Editor’s Note: Earthquakes are nothing new in Japan, but when they hit small, isolated communities like the Tokara chain, the risks are higher—limited infrastructure, slower emergency response, and fewer resources make evacuations especially urgent. This isn’t just another seismic event; it’s a reminder of how vulnerable remote areas can be when disaster strikes.

Japan recently conducted its first-ever live missile test on home soil, launching a Type-88 surface-to-ship missile from Hokkaido toward an unmanned target 40 kilometers away. Analysts see this as a significant shift in Japan’s defense strategy—less about aggression and more about demonstrating its readiness to protect itself amid growing regional tensions.

Editor’s Note: Japan has long relied on its alliance with the U.S. for security, but this test signals a move toward greater self-reliance. With China’s military expansion and North Korea’s missile tests next door, Japan’s decision to flex its own defense muscles is a big deal—and a sign of how uneasy the region’s power dynamics have become.