Flights and trains in the Tokyo area were canceled and people were warned of strong winds, heavy rain and possible flooding and landslides as a typhoon passed close to Japan on its way further north into the Pacific Ocean.
TOKYO — Flights and trains in the Tokyo area were cancelled on Friday and residents were warned of strong winds, heavy rain and possible flooding and landslides as a typhoon passed Japan on its way north into the Pacific.
Typhoon Ampil was expected to reach waters near Tokyo in the evening and then move north. It brought stormy conditions to the northern Kanto and Tohoku regions early Saturday morning. On Friday morning, it had sustained winds of 162 km/h with stronger gusts and was moving north at 20 km/h, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. Ampil was not expected to make landfall and would weaken to a tropical storm by Sunday.
Shinkansen bullet trains between Tokyo and Nagoya were halted throughout the day, according to Central Japan Railway, a common response to typhoons here. Bullet trains in northeastern Japan and some local trains in Tokyo were temporarily suspended or switched to a slower schedule.
Dozens of departing and arriving flights were cancelled at Tokyo’s two airports, Haneda and Narita, as well as at Kansai, Osaka and Chubu airports. According to Japanese media reports, around 90,000 people are affected by the flight cancellations. Several highways could also be partially closed to traffic.
Airports and train stations were crowded on Thursday as people moved their plans forward to avoid disruption from the typhoon. It was drizzly and windy in Tokyo on Friday morning, with little traffic or crowds on the streets, largely due to the Bon summer holiday rather than just the weather. Shops remained open.
Authorities warned people to avoid rivers and beaches and to beware of winds strong enough to throw objects through the air.
“We are forecasting extremely strong winds and extremely rough seas,” said Shuichi Tachihara, chief meteorologist at the JMA.
Japanese television showed residents of Hachijo barricading their windows. In the shops, the shelves for bread and instant noodles were empty.
___
Yuri Kageyama is on X: https://x.com/yurikageyama
