Dust Storms Forecast To Hit Tokyo

Apr 21, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Rain affected parts of Japan on Tuesday morning as a low-pressure system and front moved through, bringing heavier downpours in some areas. Skies are expected to clear across much of the country this afternoon. However, yellow sand drifting in from the Asian continent is forecast to spread over a wide area, raising concerns over reduced visibility and worsening health conditions.

Yellow sand is expected to affect areas from western Japan to northern Japan through Wednesday. Dust may settle on laundry and other outdoor items, while some people could experience irritation or worsening allergy symptoms. Visibility may also deteriorate, creating the risk of transport disruption.

Sunny conditions are expected to lift temperatures across broad areas. Parts of western and eastern Japan are forecast to reach 25C or higher, marking summer days. Shizuoka is expected to climb to 30C, making it a midsummer day. Residents are being urged to take care in the unseasonal heat.

Forecast highs for major cities are Sapporo 15C, Kushiro 11C, Aomori 17C, Morioka 16C, Sendai 18C, Niigata 17C, Nagano 20C, Kanazawa 19C, Nagoya 23C, Tokyo 24C, Osaka 23C, Okayama 24C, Hiroshima 25C, Matsue 21C, Kochi 25C, Fukuoka 22C, Kagoshima 26C and Naha 26C.

Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate across wide areas later this week. From Thursday, April 23, into Friday, April 24, a low-pressure system with an accompanying front is forecast to move east from western Japan toward the Pacific side of eastern Japan.

Rain is expected to intensify mainly along the Pacific side. Western Japan is likely to see the heaviest rain on Thursday, with some areas facing the possibility of substantial rainfall, thunderstorms and localized downpours.

By Friday, the focus of heavy rain is forecast to shift to eastern Japan, particularly along the Pacific coast, where strong rain could develop through the morning. Some areas may experience heavy rainfall.

Okinawa is also expected to see frequent rain as the front lingers nearby, with unsettled weather likely to continue through the latter half of the week.

Source: TBS

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