Tropical Storm Jangmi Hits Japan, Cuts Power to Tens of Thousands
Severe tropical storm Jangmi swept across parts of Japan on Wednesday, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall that disrupted transport, damaged infrastructure, and left widespread power outages.
Storm conditions near Tokyo
According to Japan’s Meteorological Agency, the centre of the storm was located about 150 kilometres south of Tokyo as of Wednesday afternoon. The system was moving northeast with sustained winds of up to 25 metres per second.
Officials warned that the storm was expected to pass close to Japan’s Pacific coast, urging continued caution and preparedness in affected regions.
Injuries and damage reported
Authorities said at least 15 people suffered minor injuries. Reports also indicated flooding, falling trees, debris on roads, and landslides in several areas.
Government spokesperson Minoru Kihara said the storm had caused significant disruption across multiple regions and confirmed that emergency services were responding to affected communities.
Power outages and evacuations
The storm has disrupted electricity supply to nearly 60,000 households, according to officials.
Evacuation advisories were issued for hundreds of thousands of residents across eight prefectures in southwestern, central, and eastern Japan due to the risk of flooding and landslides.
Authorities urged residents in vulnerable areas to follow safety instructions and take precautionary measures where necessary.
Transport and travel disruption
Transport networks were heavily affected:
- Nearly 900 domestic and international flights were cancelled by major airlines, including Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways
- Rail services in several regions, including parts of Tokyo and Kyushu, were suspended or delayed
- Some bullet train operations were also impacted due to weather conditions
Airports reported large numbers of stranded passengers as schedules were disrupted.
Industrial and business impact
Several major manufacturers temporarily halted operations as a safety measure.
Toyota suspended production at multiple domestic plants before planning a phased restart later in the day. Suzuki also paused operations at its facilities in Shizuoka Prefecture, with plans to resume once conditions improved.
Ongoing situation
Authorities continue to monitor the storm as it moves across eastern Japan, warning that additional rainfall, strong winds, and flooding risks may persist in the coming hours.
Residents in affected areas have been advised to stay alert and follow official weather updates.
