NAHA - Typhoon No. 30 (Champar) brought widespread transport disruption to Okinawa on October 23, forcing the cancellation of flights and ferry services, closing airports and bridges, and leaving travelers stranded as violent winds and heavy rain swept across the Sakishima Islands, with further disruption expected through October 24.
The large and very strong typhoon approached the Yaeyama Islands on October 23, bringing dangerous winds, torrential rain and high waves. Ishigaki and surrounding islands faced particularly severe conditions, with authorities warning that winds could become powerful enough to overturn vehicles and damage buildings.
Air travel was among the hardest-hit sectors. All scheduled flights serving Ishigaki Airport were canceled for October 23, while operations at Miyako and Tarama airports were also suspended for the day. The airport closures severely restricted travel between Okinawa's outer islands and major cities on the Japanese mainland.
All Nippon Airways canceled its October 23 services to and from Miyako and Ishigaki, while Japan Airlines and its regional affiliates announced widespread cancellations affecting Kikaijima, Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabu, Yoron, Naha, Kumejima, Miyako, Tarama, Ishigaki and Yonaguni.
By the afternoon of October 22, the two major airlines had already confirmed at least 114 cancellations for flights scheduled through October 23, comprising 54 Japan Airlines flights and 60 All Nippon Airways flights. The figures were announced before the typhoon's closest approach and did not represent a final nationwide cancellation total.
Airlines warned that disruption could continue through October 24, particularly at airports in the Yaeyama and Miyako island groups, depending on the typhoon's movement and the time needed to restore safe operating conditions.
ANA arranged additional flights from Ishigaki on October 22, including services to Naha and Chubu Centrair International Airport near Nagoya, allowing some passengers to depart before conditions deteriorated.
Sea transport across the Yaeyama Islands was also brought to a standstill. Ferry operators Anei Kanko and Yaeyama Kanko Ferry suspended all routes on October 22 and announced complete cancellations for October 23 and October 24.
The suspensions affected connections from Ishigaki to Taketomi, Kohama, Kuroshima, Iriomote, Hatoma and Hateruma, disrupting essential passenger transport and tourism services across the island group.
Operators warned that cancellations could extend into October 25 if strong winds and rough seas persisted after the typhoon passed. Services would resume only after conditions improved sufficiently for vessels to operate safely.
The closure of both air and sea routes left tourists and residents with few options for leaving the islands. Ishigaki authorities urged visitors to remain in secure accommodation rather than attempt unnecessary travel, while warning that shops and other services could also suspend operations.
Road transport was disrupted as authorities closed exposed bridges and restricted travel during the strongest winds. Okinawa Prefecture announced the closure of Irabu Bridge and Ikema Bridge in the Miyako Islands from around 8 p.m. on October 22, cutting important road connections between the islands. Aka Bridge in the Kerama Islands was also subject to closure measures.
Local authorities warned that restrictions would remain in place until winds had weakened and inspections confirmed that roads and bridges were safe to reopen.
The typhoon also disrupted tourist facilities and transport-related businesses on Ishigaki. Several attractions suspended operations for October 23 and October 24, while glass-bottom boat excursions, beach facilities and some rental car businesses announced temporary closures.
The Japan Coast Guard had placed Ishigaki Port under a heightened warning arrangement from October 21, instructing vessels to strengthen moorings and prepare for dangerous maritime conditions.
Disruption could extend beyond Okinawa as the typhoon and an associated weather front affect western and eastern Japan over the weekend. Weather forecasters warned that heavy rain could increase the risk of flooding, landslides and swollen rivers, potentially affecting highway and railway services even in areas outside the typhoon's direct path.
Travelers were advised to check individual airline, ferry and transport operator announcements before departure, as cancellations and service resumptions remained dependent on changing weather conditions.
Additional checks confirmed that bus services on Iriomote Island were suspended for the entire day on October 23, following early termination of services on October 22. The operator said services from October 24 would depend on the typhoon's movement and inspections of road conditions.
Long-distance ferry services were also affected beyond the Yaeyama Islands. Marix Line canceled its October 23 departure from Kagoshima toward Amami and Okinawa, as well as its October 25 northbound departure from Naha. Amami Kaiun canceled several services between Kagoshima and the Amami Islands through October 24.
Checks of JR East, JR Central, JR West and expressway information did not establish any additional cancellations or closures directly attributable to Typhoon No. 30 on October 23. No typhoon-related suspension of mainland Shinkansen services was confirmed in the information reviewed.
The latest confirmed disruptions remained concentrated in Okinawa and the southwestern islands, although further transport problems were possible as the weather system moved toward western Japan.
