Tokyo Hosts 2025 World Athletics Championships: Sports, Culture & Unity
In September 2025, Tokyo welcomed the World Athletics Championships, turning the city into a global hub of excitement, energy, and cultural exchange. From September 13 to 21, the event took place at the National Stadium, attracting over 2,200 athletes from nearly 200 countries. Fans filled the stands to cheer on sprinters, marathoners, and jumpers, while the streets around the stadium transformed into colorful festival zones decorated with banners, national flags, and food stalls.
The Championships weren’t just about sport—they became a citywide celebration. Schools organized viewing parties, community centers held small sports festivals, and local shops sold themed snacks and souvenirs. Families with children, groups of students, and elderly fans all joined the festive atmosphere, making the event an opportunity for everyone to feel part of the global stage.
For Japan, the highlights included two bronze medals in the racewalking events. These victories, though modest compared to powerhouse nations, were widely celebrated and created moments of national pride. For international residents and students, the Championships offered a real-life way to connect with Japanese society: reading headlines, watching athlete interviews, and joining in public cheers.
The legacy of the event goes beyond medals. It reminded people of the joy of gathering, the thrill of competition, and the power of unity. Tokyo 2025 showed once again that sports can bring people together—across languages, generations, and nationalities.
Typhoon Peipah Brings Autumn Rain: Communities Show Resilience
As sports thrilled the nation, Japan also experienced the power of nature in September when Typhoon Peipah swept across the southern and western regions. The storm brought heavy rainfall, strong winds, and temporary transportation delays, reminding people of the challenges of living in a country where nature is both beautiful and powerful.
Fortunately, the impact was managed with preparation. Railways temporarily adjusted schedules, airlines rescheduled flights, and schools in affected prefectures shifted to online classes for safety. In many towns, local volunteers set up community shelters with warm meals and futons, while neighborhood associations checked on elderly residents to ensure they were safe. These small acts of care highlighted how communities come together during such events.
Despite the inconveniences, many residents saw the typhoon as part of Japan’s seasonal rhythm. Farmers welcomed the rainfall for late-summer crops, and children enjoyed unexpected days off school. For city dwellers, the storm became a moment to slow down, share meals at home, and enjoy the cool air that followed the typhoon’s passage.
The skies cleared within a few days, leaving behind fresher autumn air and a renewed sense of togetherness. Festivals resumed, trains were back on schedule, and everyday life carried on—showing that even in the face of storms, Japan’s resilience and community spirit shine through.
For students experiencing Japan, Typhoon Peipah was not just a weather event—it was a chance to understand how natural challenges and daily life are closely connected here, and how people balance caution with optimism in their response.
