Japan is on high alert as Typhoon Shanshan nears and could make landfall in western Japan most likely from Tuesday through Wednesday.

Japan’s weather agency warned today, urging residents to prepare for strong winds, high waves, and heavy rainfall. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), The typhoon is currently moving over the ocean near the Japanese island of Amami Oshima and could escalate into a very powerful storm later this week.

The approaching typhoon is expected to bring extremely strong winds across Japan, as the maximum sustained winds could reach a maximum of 162 kilometres per hour in Kyushu and Amami, while waves as high as 9 metres are anticipated in Kyushu, Shikoku, and Amami.

The JMA forecast up to 300 to 400 millimetres of rain over the next 24 hours in some areas in Japan, an amount of rainfall that could lead to record-breaking floods and landslides.

The Central Japan Railway Company, one of the country’s major railway operators, has announced potential service suspensions from Thursday to Saturday due to the typhoon.

Meanwhile, travellers are urged to stay informed about weather updates and train operations, as unexpected changes in weather could lead to prolonged service interruptions.