Is 'KOGUMA' Coming Too?... "Japan in Serious Trouble" - Archipelago on High Alert Ahead of Holidays

The Archipelago on Edge Amid Successive Typhoons

Holiday Period Expected to Be Directly Hit Between October 10 and 12

South Korean Travelers Weigh Adjusting Their Plans

Korean Peninsula Expected to Remain Unaffected

With three typhoons heading toward Japan in succession, the Japanese archipelago is on high alert. In particular, local authorities have gone on emergency footing as it is forecast that the impact of the typhoons will be concentrated between the 10th and 12th of this month, a major holiday period in Japan. Among Korean travelers planning business trips or leisure visits to Japan, there is growing movement to change or cancel itineraries due to concerns over flight cancellations and safety incidents.

Travel communities are filled with posts expressing concerns ahead of travel schedules. Comments like "What if we end up stuck there for days for no reason?" and "Should we cancel even now?" are appearing one after another.

Typhoons No. 27, 28, and 29 Occur Simultaneously... The Archipelago on Edge Over 'Triple Typhoon'

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency on the 5th, Typhoon No. 29 "KOGUMA" formed at 9 a.m. that day in waters about 2,560 kilometers east of Guam. With the addition of Typhoon No. 27 "Choiwan" and Typhoon No. 28 "Noru," which are already active, a so-called "triple typhoon" situation has emerged, with three typhoons simultaneously present around Japan.

Tokyo Haneda Airport was congested last month on the 21st due to flight cancellations and delays. Photo by Kyodo News

The newly formed KOGUMA is expected to strengthen as it moves northwest and approach waters near Minami-Torishima, Japan's easternmost island, between the 9th and 10th.

Choiwan, which is already moving north, is maintaining a "very strong" intensity, with maximum wind speeds of up to 50 meters per second. Choiwan will move north along the waters near the Ogasawara Islands, maintain its strength until the morning of the 6th, and then is expected to increase its speed heading north-northeast along the eastern waters of Japan.

On August 14, record-breaking heavy rain flooded the roads in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Photo by Kyodo News

Noru is also maintaining "very strong" intensity and is moving west. There is a possibility it could reach the eastern seas of Japan around the 10th, suggesting that the timing of these three typhoons may overlap with Japan's holiday period.

Japan on High Alert Ahead of Holidays... Concerns Over Transportation Disruptions

In Japan, there is heightened vigilance not only over whether typhoons will make direct landfall, but also over the indirect effects of strong winds, high waves, and swells. Local media such as Sanin Broadcasting and Oita Broadcasting are also extensively covering the likelihood of typhoon impacts during the holiday period.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has urged caution against strong winds and high waves from northern Japan, including Hokkaido, through to western Japan until the 6th. Particularly in Tokyo and the Kanto region, depending on the typhoons' paths, high waves and swells are possible. These regions have already experienced 37 consecutive days of rainfall, resulting in unstable weather, so further deterioration remains a concern.

Notice of JR Line Service Changes Due to Heavy Rain on the 7th of Last Month. Photo by Kyodo News Agency

While this does not necessarily mean all three typhoons will make direct landfall on the Japanese mainland, the mere passage of typhoons through nearby seas could impact flight and ship schedules, as well as access to coastal tourist destinations. As this period coincides with a peak in tourist arrivals during the holidays, even if actual damage does not occur, there could be significant variables affecting travel schedules.

Little Impact on Korea... But Travelers Remain Anxious

So far, Korea is not expected to be directly impacted by any of the three typhoons. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts mostly clear weather nationwide from the 6th through the 11th.

The issue lies with domestic travelers planning to visit Japan. Even if the weather conditions in Japan do not have a direct impact on Korea, they could still affect flight operations, transportation, marine tourist activities, and outdoor plans in Japan.

On the 21st of last month, as the large typhoon Dujuan approached the Kanto region of Japan, the electronic board at Tokyo Haneda Airport displayed notices of flight cancellations and delays. Photo by Kyodo News.

Indeed, various travel communities and social networking services are filled with posts expressing concerns ahead of trips. Comments such as "What if we end up stuck there for several days for no reason?" "I'm even more worried because I'm going with my child," "It seems our schedule will face major disruptions due to the typhoon," "It looks like flights won’t operate," and "Should we cancel even now?" are appearing one after another.

However, if travelers cancel their reservations before the airline makes an official cancellation decision, ordinary cancellation policies will be applied, and they may have to pay cancellation fees. Therefore, travelers who have booked flights to Japan are advised not to rush to cancel solely based on news of approaching typhoons, but to check the airline’s operations and official notices about cancellation or changes first.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.