The post Typhoon Dujuan Leaves 9 Dead in Japan as Flood Recovery and Search Operations Continue Near Tokyo first appeared on Crafting Your Home.
Japan has entered a difficult recovery phase after Typhoon Dujuan brought record-breaking rain, flooding and landslides to parts of the Kanto region, leaving at least nine people dead and several others still missing in Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures.
By Wednesday, September 23, authorities were no longer dealing with an active typhoon strike but with the dangerous aftermath: search operations, flooded communities, damaged infrastructure, power outages and major transport disruptions.
Reports differed slightly on the number of people still missing as rescue operations continued.
Morning and afternoon updates reported four missing people, while a later Jiji Press update reported five missing as of 4 p.m. Japan time. The difference reflects changing information during ongoing searches rather than a confirmed final figure.
The storm’s most severe impacts occurred earlier in the week, mainly on September 21 and 22, when heavy rain triggered landslides, flooding and infrastructure damage across parts of Chiba and Kanagawa. By September 23, Typhoon Dujuan had moved away from Japan, but saturated ground and damaged communities remained at risk.
Death toll rises as searches continue
The confirmed death toll reached nine by Wednesday, with fatalities reported across Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures.
Chiba recorded six confirmed deaths in the morning tally, while Kanagawa recorded three. Authorities continued searching for people believed to have been caught in landslides or flooding.
Among the newly confirmed deaths:
- A man in his 60s was found near a submerged vehicle in Inzai, Chiba, and was later confirmed dead.
- A woman in her 30s who had been missing after mud entered a residence in Miura, Kanagawa, was found and confirmed dead.
Search efforts continued in several locations, including Kamogawa in Chiba, where two men believed to have been caught in a landslide remained missing in earlier updates. In Kanagawa, searches continued for missing women in Miura and Yokosuka after landslides affected residential areas.
The Japan Self-Defense Forces, prefectural police and local fire authorities were involved in search operations on Wednesday as crews worked through damaged and unstable areas.
Related: 10 Shocking Non-Water Floods That Caused Catastrophic Havoc
How Typhoon Dujuan affected Japan
Typhoon Dujuan approached the Kanto region on September 21, bringing intense rainfall that triggered flooding and landslides.
The following day, the storm’s effects became clearer, with flooded vehicles, damaged homes, disrupted transport networks and rescue operations underway in affected areas.
Some of the most serious impacts were concentrated in Chiba and Kanagawa.
In Chiba, flooding and landslides affected communities including Kamogawa, Inzai, Sodegaura, Mobara and Sanmu. A reported embankment breach at Inbanuma caused flooding in parts of Narita and Sakae, prompting evacuations in affected areas.
In Kanagawa, damage was concentrated around the Miura Peninsula, where landslides and mudflows affected homes in Miura and Yokosuka.
Recovery continues after the storm moves away
Although Typhoon Dujuan had moved away from Japan by September 23, the danger had not completely passed. Heavy rain had left slopes unstable, roads damaged and communities dealing with flooding and debris.
Weather officials said southern Kanto experienced unusually heavy rainfall, with Chiba and Kanagawa among the areas hit by landslides and flooding.
However, the immediate threat had shifted from the typhoon itself to recovery challenges, including saturated ground, damaged infrastructure and the risk of additional landslides.
Weak rain remained possible in parts of southern Kanto, but reports indicated that rainfall was not expected to become particularly strong.
Flooding and infrastructure damage leave communities struggling
The storm damaged homes, transport infrastructure and utilities across affected prefectures.
Confirmed impacts included:
- Fatal landslides in Chiba and Kanagawa.
- Flooding that damaged communities and transport systems.
- The Inbanuma embankment breach affecting areas around Narita and Sakae.
- Ongoing power outages in parts of Chiba.
- Rail infrastructure damage causing service disruptions.
A secondary report citing NHK information said approximately 500 homes were damaged across Chiba, Kanagawa and Ibaraki, although the figure was not described as a final nationwide disaster total.
Officials continued assessing the full scale of the damage, and additional figures may change as inspections continue.
Train services remain disrupted in Chiba
For travelers, the most significant verified disruption on September 23 was rail service in Chiba.
Several JR East lines and sections remained suspended for the day, including parts of:
- Sotobo Line
- Kururi Line
- Sobu Main Line
- Uchibo Line
- Narita Line
Other routes operated with reduced frequency, including some Narita Airport-bound services and sections of the Togane and Kashima lines.
Some private rail services had already begun recovering. The Keisei Main Line resumed full service around 5 a.m. on September 23 after a prolonged disruption, according to local reporting.
The Keikyu Line also resumed service on an affected section after around 40 hours of disruption.
However, some repair work could take longer. One report citing JR East estimates suggested certain damaged Chiba rail sections could require weeks or months of repairs, although those timelines should be confirmed with official railway updates before being considered final.
What travelers need to know
Travel conditions in Japan were affected unevenly. The most significant verified disruption involved rail services in Chiba rather than widespread airport closures.
Available information did not confirm broad shutdowns at Haneda or Narita airports on September 23. Travelers were advised to check airline and airport updates directly because individual flights and transport connections could still change.
Visitors traveling through affected areas should pay close attention to:
- JR East service updates.
- Private railway announcements.
- Airport access information.
- Local government notices.
- Road conditions near flood- and landslide-affected areas.
Travelers heading toward Narita Airport should allow extra time and confirm rail connections before departure, as some airport-access routes were affected by reduced services.
Silver Week travel affected by storm aftermath
The disruption came during Japan’s Silver Week holiday period, when travel demand was already elevated.
The storm complicated return travel, particularly for passengers relying on rail services in Chiba. Reports also noted crowding on alternative services used by travelers affected by rail disruptions.
However, holiday traffic was also contributing to congestion, meaning not every delay could be attributed solely to Typhoon Dujuan.
Tokyo avoided the worst impacts
Although the storm affected the wider Tokyo region with heavy rain and transportation disruptions, the most serious confirmed damage and fatalities were concentrated in Chiba and Kanagawa.
Available reporting does not support claims that central Tokyo suffered the same level of destruction seen in affected coastal and rural areas. For visitors in Tokyo, the main concerns were transport delays and possible knock-on effects rather than widespread citywide damage.
What happens next
The coming days will focus on recovery. Authorities will continue searching for missing people, assessing damaged homes, restoring transport links and responding to communities affected by flooding and landslides.
Typhoon Dujuan itself has passed, but the storm’s effects will continue to shape conditions in parts of eastern Japan.
For residents and travelers, the situation remains one of caution: many services are returning, but damaged infrastructure, unstable slopes and ongoing recovery work mean conditions can change quickly.
The storm may have moved away, but for communities in Chiba and Kanagawa, the difficult work of rebuilding and recovery is still underway.
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