木原官房長官、台風6号で警戒呼びかけ

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said at a June 1 news conference that people should act without letting down their guard and protect their lives as Typhoon No. 6 approaches.

According to Kihara, the typhoon was expected to carry a storm-wind zone, come closest to Okinawa that day, and then approach the Amami region and Kyushu on June 2.

Kihara said the government held a disaster warning meeting among relevant ministries and agencies on May 29 and set up an information liaison office at the Prime Minister's Office crisis management center.

The government also indicated that it wants people to check evacuation and transportation information early while authorities coordinate with local governments.

Reports said Typhoon No. 6 could make a direct hit on Okinawa Main Island on the night of June 1, bringing extremely strong winds and rain.

In the Amami region, gale-force winds, high waves and warning-level rain were forecast, and reports said people needed to watch for landslide disasters.

The transport ministry also issued its first damage-status bulletin on June 1 and said information updates would continue.

Kihara said strong winds and heavy rain were expected not only in Okinawa and Amami but also across the Pacific side of western and eastern Japan.

Weather officials were also reported as seeing a possibility of increasing rainfall from southern Kyushu to Kanto between June 2 and June 3.

Flights and roads were also expected to be affected, and residents and travelers were being asked to check the latest operating information.