Typhoon No. 15 Disrupts Obon Travel as ANA Cancels 58 Flights

Typhoon No. 15, also known as Chan-hom, began disrupting Japan's Obon holiday travel on August 11. Airline companies ANA and JAL canceled flights, while JR East suspended services on the Joban Line. The typhoon's path took an unusual westward trajectory toward Fukushima and Ibaraki, increasing the possibility of a direct landfall in these regions.

Air travelers using Haneda, Narita, and southern Tohoku airports were most directly affected, with numerous flights canceled by ANA and JAL. JR East also canceled some Joban Line trains between Mito and Iwaki and suspended Hitachi limited express services between Iwaki and Sendai due to the approaching storm. Other major JR East routes in the Tokyo metropolitan area remained operational, but there was a warning of possible delays or suspensions for the Karasuyama and Nikko lines, as well as disruption along several Chiba Prefecture routes from heavy rain and strong winds.

Shinkansen services avoided major disruption early in the day, but the overall rail impact was concentrated along the Joban corridor. Road operators prepared for potential highway closures due to heavy rain, particularly on the Ken-O and Higashi-Kanto Expressways. The disruption was expected to worsen as the typhoon approached eastern Honshu and moved westward overnight.

Travelers were advised to check the latest operating information before embarking on their journeys.