Tropical Storm Dujuan Threatens Tokyo Commute Amid Heavy Rain

The approaching tropical cyclone Dujuan – the tenth to touch Japan since June – is poised to disrupt rail services across the Greater Tokyo area from the evening of September 20 until the morning of September 22. East Japan Railway has already halted operations on portions of its network after a bout of heavy rain on the morning of September 20, though it has not confirmed whether the downpour is linked to the storm.

At 9 a.m. local time on September 20, the Japan Meteorological Agency recorded Dujuan south of the archipelago, moving northwest at a speed of 10 km h⁻¹. The agency also noted that the cyclone’s maximum sustained winds peaked at 35 m s⁻¹ near its centre.

With a busy storm season fueled by the El Niño pattern, Dujuan is expected to make its closest approach to Japan on September 21, right in the middle of a five‑day holiday period that runs through September 23. Passengers and commuters should prepare for potential delays or cancellations as the weather system moves in.