Heavy rain, strong winds and landslide risks are prompting warnings across eastern Japan as Typhoon Dujuan moves toward the Pacific coast
Japan is bracing for the impact of Typhoon Dujuan as the storm moves toward the country's Pacific coast, bringing the risk of heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and landslides across parts of eastern and central Japan.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned of intense rainfall and hazardous weather conditions, particularly across the Kanto region, which includes Tokyo. Authorities are also monitoring the possibility of linear rainbands that can produce intense rainfall over concentrated areas.
The approaching storm has already disrupted transportation and sporting events, with organisers of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games taking precautionary measures as the typhoon moves northward.
Typhoon moving toward eastern Japan
Typhoon Dujuan was moving northeast toward Japan's Pacific coastline on Monday. The storm was expected to pass near the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, with its influence extending across a wider area.
The weather system has raised concerns over heavy rainfall and strong winds across the Kanto-Koshin and Tokai regions. The Japan Meteorological Agency has also warned that conditions could remain unsettled through Tuesday in parts of eastern and northeastern Japan.
Some areas, including parts of Chiba Prefecture and the Izu Islands, had already received more than 300 mm of rain since Saturday, according to Reuters. The accumulation has increased concerns about saturated ground and the possibility of landslides and flash flooding.
Transport services face disruption
The approaching typhoon has affected transportation infrastructure during a five-day holiday period in Japan.
Parts of highways have been closed as authorities prepare for deteriorating weather conditions. Further disruptions to road, rail and other transport services remain possible if rainfall and winds intensify.
The risk is particularly significant in areas where heavy rainfall can quickly affect road networks, rail operations and access to coastal and mountainous regions.
Authorities are expected to continue monitoring the storm's movement and issue additional warnings as conditions develop.
Asian Games organisers take precautions
The typhoon is also creating challenges for the ongoing Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
While the Aichi-Nagoya venues had not experienced major adverse weather conditions at the time of the latest reports, organisers were preparing for possible deterioration later in the day.
The equestrian eventing competition was postponed until Tuesday as a precaution. The decision reflects the potential impact of heavy rain and strong winds on outdoor sporting activities and athlete safety.
The Games opened in Nagoya on September 19 and are being held across venues in the Aichi-Nagoya region and other Japanese locations. Around 17,000 athletes and officials from 45 countries and regions are participating in the event.
Weather risk comes amid a busy sporting schedule
The timing of Typhoon Dujuan is significant because the Asian Games are already underway with competitions taking place across numerous venues.
The 2026 Asian Games feature 43 sports and hundreds of medal events, with competitions spread across multiple Japanese cities.
Any prolonged disruption to transport or outdoor venues could create logistical challenges for athletes, officials and spectators.
Organisers have been preparing contingency arrangements because of the potential weather impact. Earlier in the week, Japanese officials had already been monitoring the storm and discussing emergency plans for athletes and event operations.
Heavy rainfall raises flood and landslide concerns
Beyond the disruption to sporting events and transportation, the principal concern remains public safety.
Linear rainbands are capable of producing very heavy rainfall over relatively small areas. Such systems can increase the risk of flash flooding and landslides, particularly when the ground has already received substantial rainfall.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has therefore urged continued attention to weather warnings as the typhoon approaches and its associated rainbands develop.
The combination of strong winds, heavy rain and coastal conditions could also affect infrastructure and local economic activity.
Impact on Tokyo and surrounding regions
The storm's projected path near the Boso Peninsula places the wider Tokyo metropolitan area and surrounding parts of eastern Japan among the areas being closely monitored.
Even if the centre of the typhoon does not make a direct landfall over Tokyo, its outer rainbands and wind field can produce significant weather impacts.
For businesses and commuters, the key risks include transport delays, temporary road closures, power disruptions and interruptions to normal commercial activity.
Japan's preparedness remains under focus
Japan has extensive experience in managing typhoons and other severe weather events, with authorities regularly using detailed weather forecasts, evacuation systems and emergency warnings to reduce risks.
The latest episode is nevertheless testing preparedness during a major international sporting event.
The Asian Games have already faced several logistical challenges during their build-up, including accommodation and transportation issues. The typhoon adds another operational challenge for organisers as they attempt to keep competitions running while prioritising safety.
What happens next
The immediate focus will be on the movement of Typhoon Dujuan, the intensity of rainfall and the development of rainbands across eastern and central Japan.
Weather conditions are expected to remain unsettled through Tuesday in parts of eastern and northeastern Japan. Authorities will continue monitoring flood and landslide risks while transport operators and Asian Games organisers adjust schedules where necessary.
For the Asian Games, the postponement of the equestrian event demonstrates the potential for weather-related changes to the competition calendar. Further adjustments could be made if conditions deteriorate.
Broader economic implications
Natural disasters and severe weather can have wider economic consequences through disruptions to transport, tourism, retail activity, logistics and infrastructure.
For Japan, the impact will depend largely on the storm's eventual track, rainfall intensity and duration. A short-lived disruption would have a different economic effect from prolonged flooding or widespread infrastructure damage.
Markets and businesses will therefore be watching not only the immediate weather warnings but also any evidence of damage to transport networks, industrial facilities and supply chains.
Market Outlook
Typhoon Dujuan is primarily a weather and public-safety event, but its economic impact could extend to transportation, tourism, logistics, retail and infrastructure-related activity if disruptions persist.
The immediate market focus is likely to remain on the storm's trajectory and the extent of damage or operational disruption. Any prolonged interruption to transport networks or industrial activity could have broader implications for regional supply chains.
For the Asian Games, organisers' ability to adjust schedules and maintain athlete and spectator safety will remain the key priority as weather conditions evolve.