Rainfall forecast from central to eastern Japan, Tokaido bullet train suspended

Weather services are forecasting heavy rain in central and eastern Japan and the Okinawa-Amami region until Wednesday. High-speed train services have been temporarily suspended on some routes of the Tokaido Shinkansen.

The Japan Meteorological Agency says warm, moist air is moving toward a front accompanied by a low-pressure system off the southern coast of western to eastern Japan. Officials say this is making atmospheric conditions extremely unstable from the Kinki to the Kanto region.

Rain clouds have formed, bringing localized rainfall from Kinki to Kanto. Officials said heavy rain and lightning were expected in Kinki until late Tuesday afternoon and from Tokai to Kanto-Koshin until Tuesday night.

The agency said the heavy rains had significantly increased the risk of landslides in some areas of Okinawa and Shizuoka.

In the 24 hours until Wednesday noon, up to 150 millimeters of rainfall is expected in Tokai, 120 millimeters in Kanto-Koshin and 100 millimeters in Okinawa and Amami.

The agency warns of landslides, flooding of low-lying areas, flooding of rivers, lightning, gusts of wind, tornadoes and hail. It also urges the population to take precautions and move to stable buildings if there are signs of approaching storm clouds.

Due to heavy rain, Central Japan Railway temporarily suspended operations on the Tokaido Shinkansen, but has now resumed.

It asks passengers to check its website for the latest information.