Mar 25 (NHK) - Weather officials in Japan say yellow sand from China's desert regions has reached the Japanese archipelago.
The officials are warning that the airborne particles could worsen the symptoms of hay fever and asthma, reduce visibility and cause traffic disruptions.
The Meteorological Agency says massive amounts of sand lifted up by strong winds in China have blown eastward toward Japan.
The agency, which monitors the sand in Tokyo and Osaka, says particles were observed in Osaka at 6 a.m. on Tuesday.
It says visibility had been reduced from more than 10 kilometers to less than 8 kilometers by 9 a.m.
The sand is expected to reach many parts of Japan through Wednesday, lowering visibility to less than 5 kilometers in some areas.
The officials say people should avoid hanging laundry out to dry. They are also urging people to wear a mask to avoid aggravating the symptoms of hay fever and asthma.
