Storm “Jangmi”, previously classified as a typhoon, also left tens of thousands of homes without power and forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights.
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The storm moved northeast towards Tokyo, where officials warned of possible transport disruptions and school closures planned for Wednesday.
The Japanese government reported that due to “Jangmi,” more than 800,000 people in Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, located in the southern main island of Kyushu, were ordered to evacuate.
Local media images show heavy rains and strong winds, with a 10-meter tall tree toppled in Okinawa.
On Tuesday morning, about 17,000 households on the island were without power, and more than 30,000 in the southwestern Kagoshima region.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported that 15 people were also injured in Okinawa due to “Jangmi.”
Public broadcaster NHK reported that people were injured when the storm threw objects at cars and when residents lost their balance due to strong winds.
According to the Meteorological Agency, at 4 p.m. local time (10 a.m. Lithuanian time), “Jangmi” was approaching the southern edge of Kyushu – the southernmost of Japan’s four main islands – with maximum wind speeds reaching 25 meters per second.
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The storm is forecast to move northeast on Wednesday and approach Tokyo.
600 flights canceled
Chief government press secretary Minoru Kihara warned that as the storm approaches, public transport in Tokyo and surrounding cities may be disrupted on Wednesday.
“Those of you living in areas that may be affected by the storm, please carefully follow the evacuation information announced by your municipalities and remember to evacuate in advance,” M. Kihara said at a press conference.
“Please remain vigilant and be sure to take action to protect your life,” he added.
Some Tokyo schools announced they would be closed on Wednesday, citing concerns about children’s safety during travel.
Japan’s two largest airlines, All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, canceled a total of 600 flights scheduled from Monday to Wednesday.
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