Disaster Response: Record “unprecedented” heavy rain battered eastern Japan, with Chiba hit hardest (over 360mm in 24 hours) and Japan issuing its highest Level 5 warning for the first time; floods and landslides left at least 8 dead (with reports of more) and knocked out power to about 20,000–27,000 homes, while roads and rail services were disrupted. Narita Chaos: Thousands of travellers were stranded overnight at Tokyo’s Narita airport—about 6,000–7,000—sleeping in terminals as taxis and transport ground to a halt; airport staff handed out sleeping bags, water and snacks. Russia-Japan Tensions: Japan is weighing new Russia sanctions after Vladimir Putin’s first visit to the disputed Kuril Islands/Northern Territories, prompting Tokyo to lodge formal protests and summon the Russian ambassador. Security & Airspace: Japan scrambled fighter jets after a Chinese Y-9 reconnaissance aircraft approached near Okinawa, as regional tensions with Russia and China continue to rise. AI Adoption Gap: Japan’s workplace AI use remains low (OECD: 8.4% of workers) as firms stay cautious, citing risk-averse culture and demands for stronger reliability before wider rollout. Markets: Tokyo stocks closed higher, with the Nikkei up about 0.6% and Topix touching a record, buoyed by chip and AI optimism.