Story perspectives

Tropical Storm Jangmi Floods Wakayama, Forces 2 Million Evacuations

6/4/2026

Summary

Jangmi Sparks Floods

Tropical storm Jangmi struck Wakayama Prefecture at 04:30 JST on June 3, issuing a Level 5 flood warning for the Koza River.
The storm injured 23 people, damaged 57 homes, left 60,000 households without power, forced evacuations for 2 million people and caused Owase to record 535.5 mm of rain in 24 hours.
About 760 domestic and over 90 international flights were canceled, while major rail lines such as the Tokaido, Shonan-Shinjuku and Chuo were suspended.

Summary

Kihara Launches Liaison

Minister Minoru Kihara said cabinet’s disaster-management centre created a liaison office to coordinate evacuations and forecasts.
The Japan Meteorological Agency recorded Jangmi’s pressure at 975 hPa, winds 90 km/h and gusts 126 km/h near Yakushima on June 2, 2026.
Forecasts warned Shikoku and Kansai could receive 300 mm of rain and Tokai and Kanto might get 200 mm by June 3, 2026.
Tokyo’s education board closed several elementary and junior-high schools on June 3, 2026 due to safety concerns over transport disruptions.

History

Historical Context

In July 2018, the Kansai region suffered the deadliest freshwater flood since 1982, with the Japan Meteorological Agency recording 225 deaths in 15 prefectures and evacuating over 8 million people. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe deployed about 54,000 Self-Defense Force, police and fire personnel and allocated ¥2 billion for relief. Tropical Storm Jangmi’s activation of Minister Minoru Kihara’s liaison office mirrors that response, underscoring Japan’s ongoing flood-warning challenges.

1 of 3

Jangmi Sparks Floods

Tropical storm Jangmi struck Wakayama Prefecture at 04:30 JST on June 3, issuing a Level 5 flood warning for the Koza River.
The storm injured 23 people, damaged 57 homes, left 60,000 households without power, forced evacuations for 2 million people and caused Owase to record 535.5 mm of rain in 24 hours.
About 760 domestic and over 90 international flights were canceled, while major rail lines such as the Tokaido, Shonan-Shinjuku and Chuo were suspended.

1 / 3