Newly Formed Typhoon No. 17 Could Near Kanto by Weekend

A powerful typhoon, designated Typhoon No. 17, recently emerged near the Ogasawara Islands on August 12. This storm initially moved northeast at a slow pace, maintaining a central pressure of 994 hectopascals. Its maximum sustained winds reached 18 meters per second, with gusts up to 25 meters per second. Forecasters expect the typhoon to continue its northeastward trajectory for a few more days, but it may veer towards the Kanto region and the Pacific side of Tohoku around August 15-16, during the concluding days of the Obon holiday.

Residents planning outdoor activities around this time are urged to monitor the storm's progress closely. Meanwhile, Typhoon No. 15 has transitioned into a tropical depression in the Sea of Japan, causing unstable weather conditions across a broad expanse of Japan. Heavy rainfall is anticipated in areas from Tohoku to Kinki on August 12, with potential thunderstorms delivering up to 150 millimeters of rain in certain regions.

High temperatures are forecasted for several cities, including Sapporo, Kushiro, Aomori, Morioka, Sendai, Niigata, Kanazawa, Nagoya, Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima, Matsue, and Kochi, among others. The unstable atmospheric conditions are expected to persist through August 13, with further rainfall and thunderstorms possible. In other news, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has increased aviation fuel subsidies for domestic flights while discontinuing such support for international flights.

Osaka City is considering stricter regulations for private lodging businesses, known as minpaku, aiming to curb noise and waste issues. Bear incidents have been reported throughout the summer across Japan, with experts warning that autumn poses the greatest risk for bear-related incidents due to the animals expanding their range in search of food.