Payam Javan: On Friday, Japan faced widespread disruptions as Typhoon Ampil, categorized as “very strong” by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), intensified and approached the eastern part of the country. The typhoon’s powerful winds, reaching speeds of up to 216 kph (134 mph), caused severe power blackouts and led to the grounding of hundreds of flights. The JMA warned of dangerous conditions, including the potential for flying debris and overturned vehicles.

In response to the worsening conditions, evacuation orders were issued for approximately 323,000 residents in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, and 18,500 residents in Mobara City, Chiba Prefecture. Several other cities opened evacuation centers and advised voluntary evacuations as heavy rain and strong winds continued to impact the region. Over 2,500 households in the Kanto area experienced power outages as the typhoon made its way toward Tokyo.

The storm’s impact extended to travel and business operations, with major airlines including ANA Holdings and Japan Airlines canceling numerous domestic and international flights, affecting tens of thousands of passengers. High-speed Shinkansen services between Tokyo and Nagoya were halted, and various businesses, including Tokyo Disneyland, adjusted their hours or closed early to mitigate the effects of the storm.