The Japan Meteorological Agency said on Monday that the rainy season has begun in southern Kyushu [1].
The timing of the onset is critical for regional agriculture and disaster prevention, as the arrival of the rainy season often coincides with increased risks of flooding and landslides in the region.
Officials made the announcement at 2 p.m. on June 1, 2026 [2]. The agency said that the onset is two days later than the historical average [3] and 16 days later than the previous year [3].
Weather officials said the decision was based on the stagnation of a weather front north of Typhoon No. 6, which has caused rain clouds to spread across the area [4]. The interaction between the typhoon and the seasonal front is expected to intensify precipitation.
"Southern Kyushu is seen to have entered the rainy season," the Japan Meteorological Agency said [5].
Meteorologists warned that the proximity of the typhoon could further stimulate the rainy season front. "The typhoon is approaching. There is a fear that it will stimulate the rainy season front and cause heavy rain," the agency said [6].
According to agency data, the rainy season in southern Kyushu typically ends around July 15 [7]. Until then, residents are advised to monitor weather warnings as the combination of the stationary front and the approaching typhoon creates a volatile atmospheric environment, one that could lead to significant rainfall totals over the coming weeks [4].
“Southern Kyushu is seen to have entered the rainy season”
The delayed onset of the rainy season, combined with the presence of Typhoon No. 6, suggests a compressed or more intense period of precipitation. Because the seasonal front is being 'stimulated' by a tropical cyclone, the region faces a higher risk of extreme weather events rather than the typical steady rains associated with the June transition.
