Typhoon Dujuan: Tokyo, Chiba, Izu Islands and Other Areas at Risk

Typhoon Dujuan brought heavy rain and strong winds to Japan’s Pacific coast on Monday, with authorities warning of possible flooding, landslides, and transport disruptions in the Kanto region, the Izu Islands, the Tokai area, and parts of Tohoku.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, at 1:45 p.m., the typhoon was situated about 50 kilometres west of Hachijojima in the Izu Islands and was moving northeast at a speed of 25 kph; its central pressure was 960 hectopascals, and it had maximum sustained winds of 40 metres per second with gusts reaching 55 metres per second.

The Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) forecast said the typhoon would first approach the Kanto-Koshin area early Monday afternoon before exiting late Monday night. Residents were told to watch official weather forecasts and prepare for flooding, landslides and strong winds.

Heavy Rain Raises Flood and Landslide Risks

According to the JMA, Izu Oshima recorded 565 millimetres of rain over the 24 hours up to 1:20 p.m. on Monday, and the Sakahata area of Kimitsu in Chiba Prefecture recorded 279.5 mm.

The forecast for the 24 hours ending at 6 a.m. on Tuesday predicted rainfall of as much as 400 millimetres in the Kanto region and the Izu Islands, 300 millimetres in Tokai and 200 millimetres in Tohoku.

The highest level (5) of Japan’s five levels of warning was issued for the northern part of the Izu Islands, while a level 4 warning was issued for heavy rainfall, landslides and flooding for other parts of the Kanto region.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) urged residents in urban areas to remain on their guard for flooded roads and refrain from using underground facilities as water might accumulate there.

Yoshikazu Yano, a forecaster with JMA, pointed out that the thick clouds lying to the north of the typhoon would cause rain as the typhoon approached and thus increase the total amount of rainfall.

The transport ministry reported that authorities had also imposed traffic restrictions in parts of Chiba as heavy rain associated with the typhoon approached.

Rail and Air Services Disrupted

East Japan Railway Company suspended services on several lines in Chiba Prefecture, the suspensions covering both partial and full days. The Kururi Line, which goes from Kisarazu to Kazusa-Kameyama, was closed for the whole day, and on the Uchibo and Sotobo lines, services in the afternoon were also stopped.

On Monday, All Nippon Airways cancelled its flights to and from Hachijojima Airport and also included Narita, Haneda and Shizuoka among the airports where operations might be affected by the typhoon. The airline stated that the flights at Hachijojima would be fully cancelled on Sept. 21.

The transport difficulties were part of a wider set of problems in eastern Japan. According to a report by AFP on Monday, at least 275 flights had been canceled throughout the country, with ANA canceling 140 domestic flights and Japan Airlines canceling 135.

Tokyo Game Show Cancels Final Day

The Tokyo Game Show was also affected, and the event was meant to take place from Sept. 17 to Sept. 21 at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba.

The Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association, which was the event organizer, cancelled the in-person event on Sept. 21 for the whole day due to the typhoon. The organizer said official programs would instead be streamed online without requiring visitors to travel to the venue.

The cancellation cut short what had been planned as the Tokyo Game Show’s first five-day edition. The event’s official schedule had initially listed Sept. 21 as the final public day.

The decision came as transport disruptions and deteriorating weather conditions raised concerns over the safety of visitors, exhibitors and staff traveling to and from the venue.

Typhoon Track and Outlook

Dujuan passed near the Ogasawara Islands between Friday and Saturday before moving north toward the Izu Islands. Wave heights around the Ogasawara Islands reached 7 meters, while similar waves were forecast around the Izu Islands, with swells of up to 6 meters expected along the Kanto coast.

The typhoon was expected to continue moving northeast after passing near the Kanto coastline before accelerating east-northeastward. Forecast models indicated that the system would eventually undergo extratropical transition.

Japan’s transport and disaster-management authorities continued to monitor the storm as it moved toward the Kanto region. The Japan Meteorological Agency and local authorities urged residents in affected areas to follow official evacuation and weather advisories and avoid unnecessary travel during the period of strongest winds and rainfall.

Silver Week Travel Disrupted

The typhoon struck during the Silver Week holiday period in Japan, which increased the potential impact on travelers and public events in eastern Japan.

The heavy rain, strong winds and transport disruptions had an effect on rail and air services and caused scheduled events to be cancelled.

The authorities kept cautioning that the rain might get stronger as Dujuan neared, with the JMA stating that the total amount of rain could reach figures equal to or greater than those normally seen in September in certain areas.