Typhoon Krathon threatens Japan with heavy rain and strong winds

Typhoon Krathon, now classified as a large and strong typhoon, is moving slowly northwest through the waters south of Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency predicts the storm will approach the Kanto-Koshin and Izu Islands regions between the evening of Monday, September 21, and the early hours of September 22.

Due to the typhoon's slow movement, meteorologists warn of extreme rainfall. Some areas in the Kanto region could see 24-hour accumulation reaching 300 mm. In southern Chiba Prefecture, including Chiba City and Tateyama, predicted rainfall may exceed 150% of historical maximums, potentially repeating the record-breaking heavy rains seen in August.

The typhoon currently has a central pressure of approximately 970 hPa, with maximum sustained winds of 35 m/s and gusts reaching 50 m/s. While the center may not make direct landfall, the storm's outer circulation is expected to bring severe wind and rain to the Kanto and Tohoku Pacific coastal areas. The storm is projected to accelerate toward the northeast and weaken into a temperate low-pressure system by September 23.