Hundreds of flights canceled in Japan as Typhoon Doksuri approaches

Typhoon Doksuri caused the cancellation of at least 275 flights in Japan on Monday amid warnings of potentially record-breaking rainfall as it approached Tokyo.

The typhoon, accompanied by gale-force winds, forced the early closure of one of the world’s largest video game expos in the capital, in addition to power outages affecting thousands of homes.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency had forecast on Sunday that rain and winds would intensify even before the typhoon’s arrival.

It stated that “total rainfall through Tuesday could exceed the average monthly total for September, resulting in unprecedented heavy rains.”

Wind speeds reached 144 kilometers per hour when the typhoon was approximately 110 kilometers from Hachijojima Island, one of the islands farthest from Tokyo.

Power was cut off on Monday to more than 4,000 homes in neighboring Chiba Prefecture, while the Meteorological Agency and local authorities warned residents of heavy rain and the risk of landslides.

Japan Airlines canceled 120 domestic and 15 international flights, while All Nippon Airways canceled 140 domestic flights.

Railway companies in Tokyo and surrounding areas also suspended services on some lines.

The final day of the Tokyo Game Show, one of the world’s largest gaming expos, which opened on Thursday, was canceled, as were a large outdoor music festival and a baseball match scheduled to be held in Chiba.