The Storm Tracks layer shows current position, past path, forecast path, and the cone of probable tracks.
RainViewer shows storm tracks on one map for Japan and the waters around it.
The Storm Tracks layer shows current position, past path, forecast path, and the cone of probable tracks.
Japan is a chain of islands in the northwest Pacific Ocean, from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south. This list names each active tropical storm or typhoon near Japan, with its category and status. Each storm links to its own tracker page.
CEMPAKA
Typhoon
Last updated:
The Japan Meteorological Agency publishes the official weather warnings and storm information for Japan. The Storm Tracks layer on the RainViewer map shows current position, past path, forecast path, and the cone of probable tracks. RainViewer does not replace official warnings.

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Typhoon activity in Japan is strongest from July to October, when most typhoons in the northwest Pacific form and make landfall. The Japan Meteorological Agency names each typhoon in the basin.
A typhoon starts as a cluster of thunderstorms over warm ocean water. Warm, moist air rises from the sea surface. The air pressure near the surface drops, and more air flows in. The rotation of the Earth makes this air spin, counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. Weak winds high in the atmosphere let the system organize. A system with a closed circulation is called a tropical depression. It becomes a tropical storm when its winds strengthen, and the Japan Meteorological Agency gives it a name. It becomes a typhoon when its winds reach typhoon strength.
Sea temperatures around Japan are highest in late summer. This is the time of the most storm activity. Typhoons often form over the warm water south of Japan and east of the Philippines. Typhoons usually approach Japan from the south or southwest, and many curve northeast along the island chain. Many typhoons reach Okinawa first and then move toward Kyushu and Honshu.
Storms that affect Japan can come from the Pacific Ocean or the East China Sea. The Japan Meteorological Agency is the regional warning centre for the northwest Pacific basin. The list below shows past typhoons and tropical storms that affected Japan and the waters around it, newest first, while storms near Okinawa and South Korea are listed on their own pages.
CHAMPI
Super Typhoon
SURIGAE
Super Typhoon
DUJUAN
Typhoon
KROVANH
Tropical Storm
SAUDEL
Typhoon
Japan has its own typhoon tracker pages for Okinawa, and more. Choose a area to see current and past storms there.
Tropical Depression (under 63 km/h)
Rain bands and gusty wind. No name assigned yet.
Tropical Storm (63–88 km/h)
The storm gets a name. Heavy rain and local flooding.
Severe Tropical Storm (89–117 km/h)
Downed trees and power lines, rough seas along the coast.
Typhoon (118–156 km/h)
Roof damage, widespread power outages, storm surge on exposed coasts.
Very Strong Typhoon (157–193 km/h)
Serious damage to buildings, flooding and landslides inland.
Violent Typhoon (194 km/h or higher)
Destruction of weak structures, long-term loss of power and water.
The typhoon tracker map on this RainViewer page shows current storm tracks near Japan, and the list under the map names each active storm near Japan. When no storm is active, the list says so and links to storms in other regions. Past storms near Japan are listed further down the page.
Typhoon activity in Japan is strongest from July to October, when most typhoons in the northwest Pacific form and make landfall, and the Japan Meteorological Agency names each typhoon. The Japan Meteorological Agency is the regional warning centre for the basin. Typhoons usually approach Japan from the south or southwest, and many curve northeast along the island chain.
The Japan Meteorological Agency publishes the official weather warnings for Japan, and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) publishes forecasts and advisories for every active storm in the northwest Pacific basin. RainViewer shows storm tracks on a map and does not replace official warnings. The JMA is the source for official basin forecasts.
The forecast cone on the RainViewer map shows the probable track of the center of a storm during the forecast period. The cone does not show how far wind, rain, or storm surge reach from the center, so areas outside the cone can still have storm effects. The cone is part of the Storm Tracks layer, together with the current position, the past path, and the forecast path.
RainViewer shows rain radar for Japan, and the Japan weather radar page lists radar coverage and links to city radar pages. RainViewer updates radar every 5 minutes. Radar shows rain inside a storm. The Storm Tracks layer shows where the storm is moving.