The Aso sea (between Yosano and Amanohashidate) turned brown last week, after unusually heavy rains fell in northern Kyoto prefecture, and indeed much of Western Japan.. Fortunately there was no loss of life in Yosano, though landslides affected some roads and buildings. Japan is used to high rainfall and frequent natural disasters, but with climate change, weather events are becoming more intense. The country is well prepared for extreme weather, and invests heavily in public safety systems and advanced infrastructure. However, increasingly unpredictable weather patterns will, as in many places throughout the world, place a growing burden on the ability to protect vital infrastructure and keep citizens safe.