Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture / February 24, 2026 - Courtesy of viewer

A fire broke out at a private residence in Fukushima Prefecture on February 24.

 The fire was extinguished approximately three hours later, but two houses were completely destroyed. One body was found in the ruins.

Authorities have not been able to contact an 80-year-old man who lived in the house where the fire broke out. They have been working to identify the body.

Fukutsu, Fukuoka Prefecture - February 24, 2026

In Fukuoka Prefecture, a forest fire broke out in an area where a dry weather advisory was in effect.

 NNN Reporter / The flames are spreading not only near the flatland but also into the mountainous area.

Nine fire trucks and one helicopter were dispatched. The fire was extinguished approximately two hours later.

A man in his 70s suffered minor burns to his face and was transported to the hospital, but his condition was not life-threatening.

The man reportedly told police that he lit the fire on dead wood he had gathered, which then spread to other areas. Police are investigating the circumstances at the time of the fire. 

The prolonged dry conditions stem from what is being deemed a once-in-30-years record low rainfall.

Tokyo - February 24, 2026

An anomaly has occurred in rivers in Tokyo.

Namiki Moka, NTV Reporter / You can see the riverbed of the Asakawa River. It’s turned whitish overall and you can’t see water flowing.

People were walking in the Asakawa River, a river where water usually flows.

 The river has dried up due to low rainfall.

  The river’s water volume decreased and it has stopped flowing. 

We went down to take a look.

 Namiki Moka, NTV Reporter / Every step I take makes a crunchy, crispy sound. The surface is dry and cracked.

The soil was crumbling.

NTV Reporter / Is there any water at all?

 Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism official / There is water flowing underground, but there is none on the river surface.

This phenomenon occurred for the first time in 29 years.

Local / I’ve lived in this area for 20 years, but it’s the first time I see something like this.

 NTV Reporter / Who would have thought this used to be a river? 

Local / It’s hard to believe. It just looks like a road now. 

Local / There's so little water. It's worrying. 

If this situation continues, it may have various impacts. 

 Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism official / There's a blue water gate over there. It's a facility for drawing agricultural water from that point. Preparations for rice planting start around mid to late March when water is drawn. Given the current state, we're concerned agricultural water won't be available.

Some residents are considering changing their lifestyles given this situation.

 Local /  I'll be more careful about leaving the water running. I’m worried about the water shortage. If water restrictions come in, it would be tough.

Dam storage rates also remain low.

At Ogouchi Reservoir in the town of Okutama, which supplies roughly 20% of Tokyo's water, the current storage rate stands at approximately 38%, making it the lowest in

Decades.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government officials have asked citizens to conserve water although there is currently no impact on water supply to residents.

Many are hoping for rain.

Tokyo - February 24, 2026

The Japan Meteorological Agency released its three-month forecast on February 24, indicating that low rainfall is expected to continue in March along the Pacific coast of western Japan and in Okinawa and Amami.

Reporter / Rain is expected shortly. Has the sense of caution regarding the record low rainfall eased?

Japan Meteorological Agency official / Rain is expected over the next week or so, but if some areas still have reservoirs that haven't recovered their water levels due to insufficient rainfall. The rain outlook for March remains low. Therefore, water management must be done carefully. For now, we don't consider that the situation has eased just because rain is forecasted for the next week.