Typhoon Shanshan, one of Japan’s most powerful storms in decades, has caused widespread devastation across southern regions, leaving at least five people dead and dozens injured, according to local media. Authorities have urged millions to seek higher ground due to the risk of flooding and landslides.
Packing gusts of up to 252 kilometers per hour (157 miles per hour), Shanshan made landfall on Japan’s main southern island of Kyushu early Thursday, becoming the most powerful storm of the year and one of the strongest since 1960. Although the storm has weakened with gusts dropping to 162 kph (101 mph) by 5:00 pm (0800 GMT), it continues to bring heavy rains across Kyushu and towards the main island of Honshu.
Casualties and Evacuations
At least five fatalities have been reported, including a man whose two-story home collapsed in Tokushima Prefecture. Earlier, three members of the same family died in a landslide in Aichi Prefecture, located about 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) from Kyushu. Authorities have issued their highest alerts in several regions, advising over five million residents to evacuate, though the exact number of evacuees remains unclear.
Kunisaki city in Oita, Kyushu, warned residents to move to safer or higher ground, such as the second floor of their homes, due to the imminent threat of flooding. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) cautioned that the risk of disaster from heavy rain could rapidly escalate in western Japan as Friday approaches.
Destruction Across Kyushu
Typhoon Shanshan has caused widespread destruction across Kyushu, with at least 80 people injured, according to the JMA. Winds have smashed windows and torn tiles off roofs, while rivers have overflowed, turning into torrents. The coastal city of Miyazaki reported 25 injuries, some from a tornado, and nearly 200 buildings were damaged. Parts of Miyazaki prefecture recorded unprecedented rainfall for August, with the town of Misato receiving 791.5 millimeters (31 inches) of rain in 48 hours.
The storm also caused significant power outages, with Kyushu’s utility operator reporting 187,010 houses without electricity.
Impact on Industry and Transport
The typhoon has also disrupted Japan’s industrial sector. Toyota halted production at all 14 of its factories in Japan, while Nissan, Honda, and several chipmakers, including Tokyo Electron, suspended operations at their Kyushu plants. Kyushu is a significant hub for the semiconductor industry, with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company recently opening a plant there.
Airlines Japan Airlines and ANA canceled over 1,000 domestic and four international flights on Thursday and Friday, impacting more than 44,000 passengers. Rail operators also suspended most Shinkansen bullet trains between Kyushu’s Hakata and Tokyo, with further disruptions expected on Friday.
Climate Change and Future Typhoons
The increasing frequency and intensity of typhoons in the region have been linked to climate change, with storms forming closer to coastlines, intensifying more rapidly, and lasting longer over land. A recent study highlighted that climate change had exacerbated Typhoon Gaemi earlier this year, which caused significant casualties in the Philippines, Taiwan, and China.
Residents across Japan are bracing for further impacts as Typhoon Shanshan continues its slow movement across the country, with fears of more rain and potential landslides.