Typhoon Dujuan grounds 275 flights as heavy rain hits eastern Japan

Typhoon Dujuan forced the cancellation of at least 275 flights across Japan on Monday (September 21) as authorities warned of potentially record-breaking rainfall while the storm moved closer to Tokyo.

The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that the typhoon was approaching the country’s Pacific coast, bringing torrential rain, strong winds and an increased risk of landslides across the Kanto region and other parts of eastern Japan.

Rainfall through Tuesday could exceed the average monthly total for September in some areas, raising the possibility of record-breaking rainfall, according to the agency.

More than 4,000 households in Chiba Prefecture, which neighbours Tokyo, were without electricity on Monday. The weather agency and local authorities urged residents to remain alert for intense rainfall and landslides.

Air travel was severely disrupted. Japan Airlines cancelled 120 domestic flights and 15 international services, while All Nippon Airways cancelled 140 domestic flights.

Rail operators in Tokyo and surrounding areas also suspended services on some lines as the storm affected transport networks.

The weather also disrupted the Asian Games in central Japan’s Aichi Prefecture, where organisers postponed the eventing competition until Tuesday because of the approaching typhoon.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s departure for New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly was delayed by four hours because of the storm. The government indicated that she would instead leave Tokyo at 11pm local time.

Typhoon Dujuan comes during a year marked by extreme weather across many parts of the world, including unusually intense rainfall, flooding and tropical storms affecting regions from East Asia to North America and Europe.