Typhoon season has begun and is expected to last through November 2023. Multiple typhoons typically strike Japan each year. Typhoons can strike any region of the country and can be extremely serious. U.S. citizens in Japan should carefully track typhoons that may impact their area and should follow all local government emergency guidance.
In the past, U.S. citizens have been stranded and forced to delay travel (including return travel to the United States) due to infrastructure damage to airports, limited flight availability, suspension of public transportation, or closure of roads.
For information on typhoon warnings, please consult the Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Honolulu, the National Weather Service’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RSMC) Tokyo – Typhoon Center.
The Japanese government’s “J-Alert” emergency broadcasting system can provide early warning emergency alerts. This government issued emergency information is available through mobile phone apps in English. See the Japan Tourism Organization’s Safety tips app that “pushes” information alerts to users about disasters in multiple languages, including English. The NHK World TV app also provides Japanese government emergency alerts via “Push Notification” service in English. Both of these apps push “J-Alerts” in English to your cell phone. Additional information on Emergency Preparedness for Americans in Japan is available here on U.S. Embassy Tokyo’s website.
If you live in or are traveling to storm-prone areas, prepare yourself by organizing a kit in a waterproof container that includes a supply of bottled water, non-perishable food items, medications, and vital documents. Emergency shelters often provide only very basic resources and may have limited medical and food supplies. U.S. citizens throughout Japan should pay careful attention to trusted local media and follow the instructions of local authorities in preparing for these storms.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler-Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Assistance and Contact Information:
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For information about services to U.S. citizens, please consult American Citizen Services (ACS).
For emergencies, contact the U.S. Embassy or nearest consulate.
- U.S. Embassy Tokyo
Telephone: 03-3224-5000, After-Hours: 03-3224-5000
Email: TokyoACS@state.gov
https://jp.usembassy.gov/services/ - U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe
Telephone: 06-6315-5900 - U.S. Consulate Nagoya
Telephone: 052-581-4501 - U.S. Consulate Fukuoka
Telephone: 092-751-9331 - U.S. Consulate General Sapporo
Telephone: 011-641-1115 - U.S. Consulate General Naha
Telephone: 098-876-4211 - State Department – Consular Affairs 888-407-4747
