Japan issues emergency warning as powerful Typhoon Shanshan approaches
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Typhoon Shanshan is expected to approach Japan’s central and eastern regions around the weekend, according to JMA.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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TOKYO – Japan issued an emergency warning on Aug 28 as powerful Typhoon Shanshan approached the south-western region with heavy rain and strong winds, prompting Toyota Motor to suspend operations at all its domestic factories.
Airlines and rail operators also cancelled some services over the coming days as the typhoon, categorised as “very strong”, packed winds of 180kmh with gusts of up to 250kmh.
“Maximum caution is required, given that forecasts are for strong winds, high waves and high tides that have not been seen thus far,” the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned.
Typhoon Shanshan is expected to strike Japan’s south-western Kyushu island over the next few days and approach the central and eastern regions, which include the capital Tokyo, around the weekend, JMA said.
The authorities issued evacuation orders for more than 800,000 residents in Kagoshima prefecture in Kyushu and the central Aichi and Shizuoka prefectures.
In Aichi, home to Toyota’s headquarters, two people believed to be residents of a house that collapsed in a landslide during heavy rain were unaccounted for. Three residents of the house were pulled out, according to public broadcaster NHK.
Auto giant Toyota will suspend production at all its factories in Japan because of the approaching typhoon, the company said on Aug 28.
A spokesman for the company said production lines at domestic factories will be suspended from the afternoon of Aug 28 to the morning of Aug 29.
Some 28 production lines at 14 group companies will suspend operations from the afternoon of Aug 28.
One line at truck maker Hino Motors will resume operations in the morning on Aug 29, the spokesman said.
Toyota did not immediately disclose how many vehicles it produces domestically daily.
Typhoon Shanshan is the latest harsh weather to hit Japan, following last week’s Typhoon Ampil, which also led to blackouts and evacuations.
All Nippon Airways said it would cancel more than 210 domestic flights between Aug 28 and 30 slated to leave or arrive in south-western Japan, affecting about 18,400 passengers.
Japan Airlines said it would cancel 170 domestic flights till Aug 29. A total of 10 international flights operated by both airlines will also be suspended.
Singapore Airlines cancelled four flights between Singapore and Osaka on Aug 28.
Some Shinkansen bullet train services in the area are expected to be cancelled on Aug 28 and 29, NHK said. REUTERS/AFP
