Number of typhoons Japan 2014-2023
In 2023, one typhoon landed in Japan, marking a decrease from the three typhoons that occurred in the previous year. Figures peaked in 2016, with six typhoons. Usually typhoons hit Japan between July and October, during the peak of the typhoon season.
Natural disasters in Japan
Natural disasters occur frequently in Japan. Since the archipelago is situated along the Ring of Fire, an area where several tectonic plates meet, the country is vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.
The highest cost of damage caused by natural disasters was recorded in 2011, when the Great East Japan Earthquake, also known as Tohoku Earthquake, occurred. It was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Japan. Both the earthquake and the following tsunami destroyed many Japanese cities and led to the death of over 15 thousand people. Furthermore, it caused a meltdown at three reactors in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Fukushima Prefecture.
Typhoons in Japan
Typhoons develop over the Pacific Ocean and are likely to approach the archipelago. Therefore, Japan's southernmost prefecture Okinawa gets hit regularly by typhoons, while the northernmost prefecture Hokkaido is the least affected area.
Japanese people stated wind gusts and tornadoes as well as flooding as their leading fears regarding typhoons. The tropical cyclones often cause heavy rains and floods, resulting in a high amount of damage caused by floods every year. Since the number of typhoons has increased in recent years, the damage caused by floods grew as well.
