Japan's capital braces for what could be worst typhoon in 60 years
A broken umbrella lies on a street in heavy rain, ahead of Typhoon Hagibis in Tokyo, Japan, October 12, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-hoon
TOKYO (Reuters) - A powerful typhoon approached Japan on Friday, threatening to batter its capital with the heaviest rain and winds in 60 years, shutting down stores, factories and subway systems and disrupting a Formula One Grand Prix and rugby's World Cup.
Typhoon Hagibis, which means "speed" in the Philippine language Tagalog, is due to make landfall on the main island of Honshu on Saturday, a month after one of the strongest typhoons to hit Japan in recent years destroyed or damaged 30,000 houses and caused extensive power outages.
The storm could be the strongest to hit Tokyo since 1958 and people should also prepare for high waves and storm surges, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
A woman walks in heavy rain ahead of Typhoon Hagibis, in Tokyo, Japan, October 12, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-hoon
"The typhoon could bring record-level rainfall and winds," an official at the agency told a news conference.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered his cabinet ministers to do their utmost to secure people's safety.
Officials in the Chiba prefecture east of Tokyo, which was hit hard by typhoon Faxai a month ago, have told people to prepare supplies of food and water for up to three days.
A child in a raincoat is accompanied by his father in heavy rain, ahead of Typhoon Hagibis in Tokyo, Japan, October 12, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-hoon
Some supermarkets ran out of bottled water and batteries. Twitter users posted photographs of bare shelves and traded tips on how to prepare for disruptions to water and power cuts.
Many of more than 30,000 houses Typhoon Faxai destroyed or damaged in Chiba last month have yet to be repaired.
A woman stands with an umbrella during heavy rain, ahead of Typhoon Hagibis in Tokyo, Japan, October 12, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-hoon
Map showing path of Super Typhoon Hagibis https://graphics.reuters.com/ASIA-STORM-JAPAN/0100B2FP1P3/japan-typhoon.jpg
Japanese Formula One Grand Prix organisers cancelled all practice and qualifying sessions scheduled for Saturday, adding that the qualifying round would be held on Sunday, before the final race takes place as planned.
Traffic cones stand in front of a gate of Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan October 12, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Hong-ji
The approaching super typhoon has already forced the cancellation of two matches of the rugby World Cup on Saturday, while a Sunday match between host Japan and Scotland is in doubt.
Airline ANA Holdings <9202.T> cancelled all domestic flights to and from Tokyo's two main airports from Friday afternoon.
It and rival Japan Airlines Co <9201.T> cancelled some flights to and from airports servicing the major cities of Osaka and Nagoya.
Spectators who evacuate from Typhoon Hagibis, gather at a makeshift accommodation for spectators of Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan October 12, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Hong-ji
Most flights operating to and from those airports would be cancelled on Saturday, both airlines said on their websites.
Train operators said they would suspend bullet trains between Tokyo and Nagoya in central Japan and most operations between Nagoya and Osaka, in western Japan, from Saturday morning.
Most train and subway lines in Tokyo are also due to be shut down.
A passenger holds his umbrella in the heavy rain as he gets off from the train at Shiroko, Suzuka, Japan October 12, 2019, ahead of Typhoon Hagibis. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun
Tokyo Disneyland said it would close its theme park on Saturday, its first weather-related closure since a snowstorm in 1984. Retail giant Seven & I Holdings <3382.T> said it would shut its supermarkets and department stores in metropolitan Tokyo.
Toyota Motor Corp <7203.T> announced it was suspending production at three factories.
Storm surges are likely along the Pacific coast of Honshu on Saturday and Sunday, as is torrential rain, raising the risk of floods and landslides, public broadcaster NHK said.
A spectator looks out from a makeshift accommodation for spectators as he evacuates from Typhoon Hagibis, at Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan October 12, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Hong-ji
Typhoon Ida, known as the "Kanogawa Typhoon" in Japanese, killed more than 1,000 people in 1958.
(Reporting by Ritsuko Ando, Naomi Tajitsu, Tim Kelly and Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Robert Birsel and Gerry Doyle)
Spectators who evacuate from Typhoon Hagibis, gather at a makeshift accommodation for spectators of Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan October 12, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Hong-jiCommuters at rush hour during a rain storm near Shinagawa Station in Tokyo, Japan October 11, 2019. Typhoon Hagibis approached Japan on Friday, threatening to batter its capital with the heaviest rain and winds in 60 years. REUTERS/Kevin CoombsCommuters at rush hour during a rainsrtorm in Tokyo, Japan October 11, 2019. Typhoon Hagibis approached Japan on Friday, threatening to batter its capital with the heaviest rain and winds in 60 years. REUTERS/Kevin CoombsCommuters at rush hour during a rain storm near Shinagawa Station in Tokyo, Japan October 11, 2019. Typhoon Hagibis approached Japan on Friday, threatening to batter its capital with the heaviest rain and winds in 60 years. REUTERS/Kevin CoombsCommuters at rush hour during a rain storm near Shinagawa Station in Tokyo, Japan October 11, 2019. Typhoon Hagibis approached Japan on Friday, threatening to batter its capital with the heaviest rain and winds in 60 years. REUTERS/Kevin CoombsCommuters at rush hour during a rain storm near Shinagawa Station in Tokyo, Japan October 11, 2019. Typhoon Hagibis approached Japan on Friday, threatening to batter its capital with the heaviest rain and winds in 60 years. REUTERS/Kevin CoombsSandbags are piled on a seawall in preparation for Typhoon Hagibis on the seashore in Yokohama, Japan October 11, 2019, in this photo taken by Kyodo. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERSAn employee of a car rental tapes the windows to protect them from the incoming typhoon 'Hagibis' in Kakegawa, Japan, October 11, 2019. REUTERS/Annegret HilseFormula One F1 - Japanese Grand Prix - Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka, Japan - October 11, 2019 Mercedes' team members prepare for the arrival of Typhoon Hagibis REUTERS/Issei KatoA spectator takes photos of an information board announcing the cancellation of all practice and qualifying sessions scheduled for Saturday due to the approach of Typhoon Hagibis, at Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan October 11, 2019. REUTERS/Issei KatoA man who wanted to buy a masking tape stands in front of empty shelves in a shop in Yokohama, Japan October 11, 2019, in this photo taken by Kyodo. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS
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