Japan is experiencing heavy rain from the influence of a monsoon trough, while tropical storms "Mekkhala" and "Higos" move closer, posing risks of landslides, flooding, and river overflows. Many areas have canceled flights and Shinkansen train services have been affected.
On 27 June 2026, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that many eastern and western regions of the country continue to face heavy rainfall. It warned residents to be vigilant against landslides, flooding in low-lying areas, and river overflows as two tropical storms approach the country.
Authorities have issued a Level 4 warning, the second-highest alert, for landslide risks in parts of Nara Prefecture in western Japan. This indicates a situation where disaster may occur at any time, and residents in these risk areas should evacuate immediately.
Tropical Storm "Mekkhala" is moving off the coast of the Kyushu region and is expected to head east along the Pacific Ocean coastline. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm "Higos" is accelerating and is forecast to make landfall on Japan’s eastern coast Saturday morning, potentially intensifying heavy rainfall. Additionally, the Japan Meteorological Agency has warned people to be cautious of landslides, flash floods, river overflows, as well as strong gusty winds and rough seas.
The severe weather has disrupted transportation, with the Hokkaido Shinkansen high-speed train line potentially canceling or delaying services on Saturday. Several expressways in western regions have already been closed to traffic. Moreover, airlines have canceled around 200 flights on Friday and warned that Saturday’s services may face further cancellations or delays. Passengers are advised to check the latest flight information before traveling.
Source: NHK