Japan: Heavy rain forces closure of 3,600 schools

Heavy rainfall across eastern Japan has caused widespread flooding and significant disruptions, leading to the closure of 3,661 schools across 11 prefectures. According to the Ministry of Education, affected institutions include elementary, junior high, high schools, and universities. Chiba prefecture reported the highest number of closures with 894 schools, followed by Tokyo with 739 and Kanagawa with 646.

The extreme weather has also impacted transportation, with rail services in the Tokyo metropolitan area experiencing partial paralysis. Over 140,000 people were affected as major lines, including the Yamanote Line, saw service frequency reduced by 20-30%.

At least one death has been reported; a woman approximately 60 years old was found unconscious in a flooded car in a tunnel in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued a level 5 emergency landslide warning—the highest level—for areas including Niijima, Oshima, and Toshima villages in the Izu Islands. Oshima recorded over 580mm of rain in 24 hours, a record high for September. Level 4 landslide warnings have also been issued for parts of Chiba and Saitama prefectures.