More than 900 flights in Japan have been canceled and train operators warned of major disruptions as the country braced for a powerful typhoon that is on path to near its coast on Saturday.
The large and violent Typhoon Hagibis, currently located south of Tokyo, is packing winds of up to 252 kilometers (157 miles) per hour, and could make landfall in central or eastern Japan around Tokyo on Saturday.
Local authorities are also on alert for possible flooding as the storm may coincide with high tide at Tokyo bay. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe requested his cabinet to take all measures to prepare for the typhoon, Kyodo News reported.
The typhoon, which was downgraded to Category 4 system on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale used in the U.S., has also forced organizers of the Rugby World Cup to cancel two games scheduled on Saturday.
Here’s how the storm is impacting the country so far:
Airlines
- Japan Airlines Co. cancels 18 routes Friday, 513 domestic and 72 international flights on Saturday
- ANA Holdings Inc. said Thursday it canceled all its roughly 370 domestic flights scheduled for Saturday
Trains
- East Japan Railway Co., Central Japan Railway Co., West Japan Railway Co. suspend bullet train services on Saturday
- Local services may also be impacted
Factories
- Nippon Steel Corp. to halt production at its Kimitsu factory in Chiba prefecture, broadcaster NHK reports
Retail
- Ito-Yokado, operated by Seven & i Holdings Co., will close over 120 stores on Saturday
