On September 29, 2026, South Korean media Korea Economic Daily reported that due to prolonged rain and successive typhoons, Japan has been experiencing a continuous lack of sunshine.

According to the article, damage to agricultural crops is widespread, and daily life is also affected, with customers flocking to coin laundries because laundry doesn't dry. At grape farms, there has been damage where grape bunches are infected with mold and rot, turning black. Rice harvesting operations are also being affected.

In Tokyo, from last month until the 29th of this month, it rained for 34 consecutive days, setting a new longest record as the sole number one in statistical history. While the hours of sunshine were less than 30% of the average year, precipitation reached approximately 3 times the average. Due to laundry not drying, the number of coin laundry users has surged, and with foreign tourists also adding to the numbers, there are even stores where dryers and washing machines operate 24 hours a day.

Furthermore, in Chiba Prefecture, which suffered damage from last month's heavy rains and Typhoon No. 25, recovery efforts are still ongoing, but successive rains are hindering the work.

The article further reported, "The number of people complaining of poor health due to prolonged lack of sunlight is increasing. Symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and mood swings are observed, and such patients have increased by about 2.5 times compared to an average year."

Regarding this, comments from South Korean netizens included: "I didn't know it was raining so much in Japan," "It seems like Japan now has a rainy season," "It's hot in summer, and it's also raining, which must be tough," "I feel the effects of global warming," "It hasn't rained that much in Korea," and "I had planned a trip to Japan, but it's a shame about the rain."

Also, comments included: "I'm worried about the impact on agricultural crops," "Just as they were recovering from previous damage, another typhoon... The burden on residents is too great," "It must be hard to manage one's health when the rain continues," and "I hope there won't be any more major damage." (Translation/Editing: Higuchi)