Typhoon No. 15 is forecast to make landfall in the Kanto region of Japan, bringing peak rain and strong winds [1].
The storm's unusual trajectory puts millions of residents in the Kanto region, including those in Ibaraki and Chiba, at risk of flooding and high waves. Because the system is moving east-to-west due to prevailing steering currents, it is being described as a "reverse-running" typhoon [2, 3].
According to reports from TBS NEWS DIG and Nスタ, the peak of the storm's impact is expected from the night of Aug. 11 to the morning of Aug. 12 [1, 4]. Narrators from TBS NEWS DIG said, "Rough waves are crashing in, gradually getting higher... it is expected to make landfall in the Kanto region tonight" [1].
There are contradictions regarding the timing of the landfall. While current forecasts point to Aug. 11 and 12, a report from Livedoor News—citing the Japan Meteorological Agency—previously stated the typhoon would make landfall in Kanto or Shizuoka Prefecture on the night of Aug. 8 [5]. That report suggested the storm would pass through Kanto by the morning of Aug. 9 [5].
Weather officials expect the system to traverse eastern Japan through Aug. 12 [4]. After the storm enters the Sea of Japan, it is forecast to weaken into a tropical depression [4, 6].
Residents are warned that weather conditions in eastern Japan and the Tohoku region will remain unstable through Aug. 12, with the possibility of intense rain and thunderstorms [1]. Additionally, some forecasts indicate that another typhoon may form and approach Honshu by Aug. 16 [6].
“Rough waves are crashing in, gradually getting higher”
The shifting landfall dates and the 'reverse-running' nature of Typhoon No. 15 indicate a highly volatile weather system. The discrepancy between reports of an Aug. 8 landfall and the current Aug. 11 forecast suggests that steering currents have significantly altered the storm's path, increasing the urgency for updated emergency preparations in the Kanto and Shizuoka areas.
