TOKYO, 16th August, 2024 (WAM) -- Japan's transport systems, including shinkansen bullet trains, faced widespread disruptions, and many tourist spots were deserted as a powerful typhoon veered east of Tokyo on Friday, near the end of the Bon summer holidays.
The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of violent winds, mudslides, high waves and flooding, forecasting heavy rain in the eastern region around Tokyo and the north-east, Japanese news agency Kyodo News reported.
At 18.00 local time Friday, Typhoon Ampil was located some 160 kilometres south-southeast of Choshi in Chiba Prefecture. The typhoon is moving north-northeast at 15 km per hour, according to the weather agency.
It has an atmospheric pressure of 950 hectopascals at its centre and is packing winds of up to 216 kph.
Central Japan Railway suspended all Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train services between Tokyo and Nagoya, central Japan, for the entire day, with the shutters closed at Tokyo Station ticket gates.
Beyond Nagoya, the rail operator limited the number of trains to and from Shin-Osaka in western Japan.
East Japan Railway cancelled some bullet trains on parts of the Tohoku, Joetsu, and Yamagata lines Friday afternoon. It said it will return to normal operations on Saturday.
Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways said they cancelled approximately 650 international and domestic flights to and from Tokyo's Haneda airport and Narita airport, east of the capital, affecting about 120,000 passengers.
In Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo, some commercial complexes, including the Sogo department store, were closed.