Typhoon Jebi - as it happened: Japan suffers eight deaths from storm as 135mph winds see major evacuation and flights cancelled
More than one million people ordered to evacuate
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.At least eight people have died and scores more have been injured after the strongest typhoon to hit Japan in 25 years made landfall.
More than one million people were ordered to evacuate and nearly 800 flights were cancelled as the powerful storm hit the country with winds of up to 129mph (208km/h).
Typhoon Jebi, named after the Korean word for “swallow” in Korean, was briefly classed as a super typhoon.
In the hard-hit city of Osaka, high seas have poured into Kansai International Airport, flooding one of its two runways and cargo storage facilities and forcing the airport to shut down.
Wind gusts of up to 129mph were recorded in one part of Shikoku, the smallest main island, with forecasts for gusts as high as 135mph (216km/h).
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load
It is the latest harsh weather event to hit Japan this summer following rains, landslides, floods and record-breaking heat that killed hundreds of people.
Hello and welcome to the latest updates as typhoon Jebi makes landfall on the west coast of Japan.
There were scattered reports of mild injuries as the typhoon made landfall on Shikoku, the smallest main island, around noon.
It raked across the western part of the largest main island, Honshu, near the city of Kobe, several hours later.
Japan's Kyodo News service said it was the strongest typhoon to make landfall in Japan since 1993.
Evacuation advisories have been issued for more than one million people as the wind and rain began picking up, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said.
Tides in some areas were the highest since a typhoon in 1961, NHK public television said, with flooding covering the runways at Kansai International Airport in Osaka.
The strong winds sent a 2,591-tonne tanker crashing into a bridge connecting Kansai airport, which is built on a man-made island in a bay, to the mainland.
The bridge was damaged but the tanker was empty and none of its crew was injured, the coast guard said.
More than 700 flights have been cancelled, along with scores of ferries and trains, according to Japanese media tallies.
Shinkansen bullet train services between Tokyo and Hiroshima were suspended and Universal Studios Japan, a popular amusement park near Osaka, was closed.
Footage has emerged of a building partially collapsing in Osaka.
This is the route typhoon Jebi is predicted to take as it tracks across Japan.
Around 100mm (3.9in) of rain drenched one part of the tourist city of Kyoto in an hour, with as much as 500mm (20in) set to fall in some areas in the 24 hours to noon on Wednesday.
Some 177,000 customers across western Japan have lost power, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said.
Toyota Motor Corp said it was cancelling the night shift at some 14 plants.
Heavy winds have blown parts of the roof of the newly built Hotel Hewitt Koshien, in Hygo Prefecture, off the building and then sent them careening into an electricity pylon.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments