Typhoon Dujuan forces nearly 2 million evacuations across Japan during holidays

Typhoon Dujuan struck Japan's eastern coast on September 21, bringing record rainfall and triggering the country's highest-level landslide warning for the Izu Islands. Nearly two million people across six prefectures received evacuation orders as the storm moved through during Silver Week, Japan's five-day holiday period. The 25th typhoon of the year maintained sustained winds of 40 meters per second with gusts reaching up to 198 kilometers per hour, and produced exceptional rainfall—some areas receiving more than a month's typical precipitation in 24 hours.

The typhoon disrupted major transportation networks, with 384 flights cancelled on Monday alone and bullet train services suspended or delayed on key lines including the Tokaido Shinkansen connecting Tokyo and Osaka. East Japan Railway halted some limited express services in Chiba Prefecture, while All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines cancelled domestic and international flights. The storm also forced closures of highways and caused widespread power outages affecting more than 50,000 households, with Chiba Prefecture experiencing the heaviest impact.

Major cultural and sporting events were disrupted or cancelled, including concerts at the Rock in Japan festival and Monday's programme at the Tokyo Game Show. The Asian Games in Aichi Prefecture saw reduced attendance at the opening ceremony due to typhoon concerns. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delayed her planned trip to New York to monitor the typhoon's effects.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a Level 5 emergency landslide warning for Oshima Town in the Izu Island chain, the highest alert level, as torrential rain lashed the region. Heavy rainfall was forecast to reach up to 350 millimeters in the Tokai region, 300 millimeters in the Kanto region and Izu Islands, and 200 millimeters in Tohoku within 24 hours. Reports indicated at least one woman feared buried in a landslide in Kanagawa and a man injured in Chiba, though specific casualty figures remained unclear as the storm continued through Tuesday. Authorities warned residents to remain on high alert for flooding in low-lying areas, swollen rivers, and high waves.