Heavy rains from Typhoon 6 and a following extratropical cyclone caused severe damage to crops across Japan this weekend [1].
The weather events hit high-value agricultural sectors, threatening the supply of regional brand products and the livelihoods of farmers in several prefectures [1].
The intense rainfall occurred between the night of June 6 and the morning of June 7 [1]. This period of instability followed a rare meteorological event, as this was the first time in 14 years that a typhoon made landfall on Honshu during the month of June [1].
In Mie Prefecture, producers of brand plums reported significant losses. Similarly, sweet corn farmers in Tokushima Prefecture suffered severe impacts as floodwaters inundated fields [1]. The damage was exacerbated by an extratropical cyclone that followed a similar path to Typhoon 6, bringing additional torrential rain that saturated the soil and triggered landslides [1].
Local authorities issued Level 4 landslide warnings in several areas to alert residents of imminent danger [1]. In the city of Nichinan, specifically in the Aburatsu area of Miyazaki Prefecture, rain reached 55.5 millimeters per hour [1].
The affected regions included the Kanto-Koshin and Tokai areas, with the most acute agricultural damage concentrated in Mie and Tokushima [1]. Farmers in these regions are now assessing the total loss of yield, and the extent of soil erosion caused by the flooding [1].
“Heavy rains from Typhoon 6 and a following extratropical cyclone caused severe damage to crops across Japan.”
The convergence of a rare June typhoon and a subsequent extratropical cyclone creates a compounding disaster effect for Japanese agriculture. When soil is already saturated by one system, the second system increases the likelihood of Level 4 landslides and total crop failure. The impact on 'brand' produce in Mie and Tokushima may lead to short-term price volatility for these specific regional specialties.
