Foreign residents across northern Japan should remain alert as severe weather conditions continue to impact the region, with a rapidly developing low-pressure system causing significant disruptions and infrastructure damage in Hokkaido and surrounding areas. According to NHK, a rapidly intensifying low-pressure system brought violent weather conditions to northern Japan on November 1st, with Hokkaido experiencing particularly severe impacts. The storm produced fierce winds and heavy precipitation, resulting in road infrastructure damage including a significant road collapse in Hamanaka Town, Hokkaido. The extreme weather forced local authorities to take emergency measures to protect residents and assess damage to critical infrastructure. The severe weather pattern extends beyond Hokkaido, with meteorological agencies warning of continued atmospheric instability across a broad swath of Japan. NHK reports that cold air masses in the upper atmosphere will cause highly unstable atmospheric conditions from northern to western Japan through November 3rd. This instability is expected to produce localized but intense rain cloud development, potentially bringing sudden downpours and associated hazards to multiple regions. The impact of severe weather has already necessitated emergency responses in other parts of northern Japan. In Miyagi Prefecture, Ishinomaki City issued evacuation orders for six households (11 residents) in the Hiyorigaoka 1-chome area following a small-scale landslide. According to NHK, these evacuation orders have since been lifted, but the incident underscores the ongoing risks associated with saturated ground conditions and unstable weather patterns. Adding to the natural disaster concerns, a magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture on November 1st at 11:44 PM, registering intensity 3 on the Japanese seismic scale in Ofunato City and surrounding areas. NHK confirmed that no tsunami warning was issued, and the earthquake's epicenter was located 50 kilometers deep off the Iwate coast. While this particular seismic event did not cause reported damage, it serves as a reminder that expats in northern Japan must remain prepared for multiple types of natural disasters simultaneously. On a more positive note, Typhoon No. 25 (Kalmaegi), currently positioned east of the Philippines, is not expected to threaten Japan directly. According to News on Japan and Livedoor News, the typhoon is tracking west-northwest and will pass near the Philippines before entering the South China Sea, keeping it well away from Japanese territory. For foreign residents, these weather events highlight the importance of maintaining disaster preparedness year-round. Japan's infrastructure is generally well-equipped to handle severe weather, but localized damage can occur rapidly, as demonstrated by the Hokkaido road collapse. Expats should ensure they have emergency supplies, understand local evacuation procedures, and register for emergency alerts through their municipal offices. The Japan Meteorological Agency recommends that residents in affected areas stay informed through official channels, avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather warnings, and be particularly cautious of sudden changes in weather conditions. Foreign residents who may not be familiar with Japanese emergency broadcasting systems should download multilingual disaster apps such as Safety Tips or NHK World for real-time updates in English and other languages. As climate patterns continue to produce increasingly unpredictable weather events, expats living in northern Japan should treat disaster preparedness as an ongoing priority rather than a seasonal concern. Understanding local warning systems, maintaining emergency supplies, and knowing evacuation routes can make a critical difference when severe weather strikes with little warning.