Newly Formed Typhoon No. 17 Could Near Kanto by Weekend

Aug 12, 2026 | News On Japan

A large new typhoon formed near the Ogasawara Islands on August 12 and could approach Honshu around the end of the Obon holiday period, while the remnants of Typhoon No. 15 continue to bring unstable weather and a risk of heavy rain across a wide area of Japan.

Typhoon No. 17 formed near the Ogasawara Islands at 9 a.m. on August 12 and was moving slowly northeast, with a central atmospheric pressure of 994 hectopascals. Maximum sustained winds near the center were 18 meters per second, with maximum gusts of 25 meters per second.

The storm is expected to continue generally northeastward for the time being before changing direction around August 14 in waters southeast of Honshu, creating the possibility that it could move closer to the main island.

Forecast uncertainty remains high, however, with considerable variation in computer simulations over the typhoon's direction and speed after it changes course.

Depending on its eventual track, Typhoon No. 17 could come significantly closer to the Kanto region and the Pacific side of Tohoku around August 15 to August 16, near the end of the Obon holiday period. People planning trips to the sea or mountains during the latter half of the holiday are being advised to closely monitor the storm's progress.

Typhoon No. 15, meanwhile, has moved into the Sea of Japan and weakened into a tropical depression. Despite the typhoon's weakening, moist air flowing in from the sea is expected to make atmospheric conditions unstable from Tohoku through Shikoku.

Heavy rain is possible from Tohoku through the Kinki region on August 12. Individual rain clouds are expected to be relatively small, but some could develop into thunderstorms, bringing sudden downpours and lightning during the afternoon.

Rainfall through midday on August 13 could reach as much as 150 millimeters in parts of Tohoku, Tokai and Kinki, and 100 millimeters in the Kanto-Koshin region.

Forecast highs on August 12 are 33 degrees Celsius in Sapporo, 25 in Kushiro, 29 in Aomori, 30 in Morioka, 27 in Sendai, 32 in Niigata, 29 in Nagano, 33 in Kanazawa, 29 in Nagoya, 27 in Tokyo, 28 in Osaka, 31 in Okayama, 33 in Hiroshima, 30 in Matsue, 34 in Kochi, 33 in Fukuoka, 33 in Kagoshima and 30 in Naha.

Nagoya is forecast to remain below 30 degrees for the first time since the start of August, bringing relatively cooler conditions.

Unstable weather is expected to continue on August 13 as moist air keeps flowing into Japan. Parts of Tohoku and western Japan could see sudden rain, thunderstorms and locally intense downpours.

There is also a risk of storm surges in eastern and western Japan as the effects of the tropical depression coincide with spring tides.

Source: TBS

Japan Braces for Typhoon No. 30 as Cold Front Brings Severe Storms

Japan experienced widespread thunderstorms, strong winds and sudden downpours on October 14 as a cold front swept across the country, while the Japan Meteorological Agency warned that a tropical depression south of Japan could develop into Typhoon No. 30 within 24 hours, marking the first time in 13 years that the annual typhoon count has reached 30.

Agriculture Minister Yana Resigns, Takaichi Accepts Responsibility

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Yana submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on the evening of October 14 over a controversy involving shuttle buses and other issues, prompting Takaichi to acknowledge her responsibility for appointing him and announce plans to name a successor on October 15.

Disney Imagination Sets Sail for Japan in 2029

Japan's first Disney cruise ship will be named "Disney Imagination," with Oriental Land and its partners planning to launch the service in spring 2029, offering a new Disney-themed travel experience departing from Tokyo.

Tokyo's 23 Wards Plan New Public Crematorium as Fees Soar

Tokyo's 23 wards have decided to establish a new small-scale public crematorium to address rising fees at privately operated facilities and growing concerns that cremation capacity could become insufficient around 2040 as the city's aging population drives up the number of deaths.

AI Breaks Japan's Language Barrier, Fueling Rise in Cyberattacks

Japan is facing a growing wave of cyberattacks as advances in artificial intelligence remove the language barrier that once made Japanese companies difficult targets for overseas hackers, with more than 68 million personal records potentially exposed in a series of security incidents over the past two weeks.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Super El Niño Could Bring Japan a Warm Winter After Summer of Typhoons

The El Niño phenomenon developing in the Pacific Ocean has reached its strongest level since records began in 1949, with sea surface temperatures off Peru rising 4 degrees Celsius above normal in September, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced on October 9, raising concerns about extreme weather worldwide and the prospect of an unusually warm winter in Japan.

Osaka's Glico Sign Reaches End of Life

Osaka's iconic Glico sign in Dotonbori will undergo a major renewal next spring after more than a decade of operation, with its current LED display set to be switched off for the final time on November 30.

Typhoon No. 29 Moves Away From Japan but High Waves Remain a Threat

Typhoon No. 29 was moving northward over waters east of Japan at strong intensity as of 10 p.m. on October 12th, with forecasts indicating that the storm will continue moving away from the country and transition into an extratropical cyclone on October 13th, although high waves generated by the typhoon could pose a growing threat along the Pacific coast of northern Japan.

Osaka's Midosuji and Paris' Champs-Elysees Become Sister Streets

Osaka's Midosuji boulevard and the Champs-Elysees in Paris have officially established a sister street partnership, marking a new step in cooperation between the two cities on urban development, streetscape improvements, and efforts to attract visitors.

Record-Strong El Nino Expected to Bring Warm Winter to Japan

Japan is expected to experience a warmer-than-normal winter as the El Nino phenomenon currently affecting the Pacific Ocean has reached its strongest level on record, with the Japan Meteorological Agency announcing on October 10th that unusually high sea surface temperatures are likely to persist through the coming winter months.

Konosu Fireworks Festival Sets Guinness World Record

The Konosu Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's largest fireworks events, set a Guinness World Record for the number of consecutive large-shell fireworks launched on October 10, as approximately 20,000 fireworks illuminated the autumn night sky over Konosu City in Saitama Prefecture.

Otsu Festival Parades Elaborate Floats Following UNESCO Recognition

The Otsu Festival, one of Shiga Prefecture's three major traditional festivals, was held in Otsu City on October 11th, featuring a procession of 13 elaborately decorated floats carrying traditional mechanical puppets through the streets, following the festival's addition to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in December last year.

Fail to Submit Climbing Plans

Police in Saitama Prefecture are urging hikers to submit climbing plans before heading into the mountains during the busy autumn recreational season, after nearly 80% of people involved in mountain emergencies this year were found to have failed to file the necessary information.

< 2 3 4 5 >