The evacuation order covers up to 1 million residents in the central Shizuoka region and the southern island of Kyushu.
The reason for the mass evacuation is Typhoon Shanshan heading towards Japan.
The hurricane is described as “extremely strong” with wind speeds of 252 km/h (70 m/s).
Typhoon Shanshan is expected to approach southern Kyushu with great force, Japanese government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said, according to AFP.
He added: “It is expected to bring violent winds, sky-high waves and storm surges at levels never seen before by humans.”
“Protect your life”
Kyushu has a population of 12.5 million.
The island is expected to receive heavy rainfall in the coming days.
The Japan Meteorological Institute (JMA) said in a statement that the typhoon is expected to bring 500 mm of rain in the 24 hours to Thursday morning and 600 mm in the 24 hours to Friday morning.
The Authority urges residents to take evacuation orders seriously.
– To protect your life and your loved ones, please flee to the evacuation zones indicated by local authorities, official Satoshi Sugimoto stressed at a press conference.
Kyushu residents are advised to evacuate or take appropriate measures before the typhoon arrives.
– Unprecedented winds, waves, tides and storm surges are expected and will require extreme caution. Sugimoto says it is essential to be on the highest level of preparedness.
Cancel flights
Japan Airlines has cancelled 172 domestic flights and six international flights due to the tropical storm.
Auto giant Toyota also acted. Toyota halted production at all of its plants in Japan.
Facts: Hurricanes
Hurricanes are tropical storms that form in the northwest Pacific Ocean.
The Japan Meteorological Institute divides typhoons into three different categories, according to SMHI:
Normal tornado: 33-43 m/s
Very strong tornado: 44-53 m/s
Violent tornado: ≥ 54 m/s
Typhoon Shanshan belongs to the last category, “violent”, with wind speeds reaching 70 m/s.
Photo: F. Hayashi
Text: Editors
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