Japan’s latest typhoon headed toward automaking region

The Japan Meteorological Agency has called for precautions against heavy rain, mudslides and strong winds.

Typhoons are becoming more frequent and severe, causing factories to halt production in addition to the usual disruptions to transportation. At least two people were killed last year when a powerful system passed through Tokyo.

Much of the city was already covered in rain and fog on Monday.

A level 3 evacuation order — level 5 being the highest — was issued to some 26,000 elderly residents in a town in Wakayama Prefecture due to concerns of heavy rains causing landslides, broadcaster NHK reported.

The Universal Studios Japan theme park in Osaka will be closed Tuesday.

Japan Airlines and ANA Holdings announced flight disruptions, with JAL canceling more than 250 flights for Monday and Tuesday.

Regional operators of Japan’s high-speed trains, Central Japan Railway and West Japan Railway, said bullet trains will be partially suspended Tuesday, and delays and suspensions were likely on Monday and Wednesday as well.

Central Japan Railway said service will be halted Tuesday between Osaka and Nagoya.

As of Monday morning, Typhoon Lan was about 260 kilometers (162 miles) southwest of Japan’s Hachijojima island and moving northwest, according to the JMA.

The storm, called Typhoon No. 7 in Japan, is generating maximum winds of about 144 kilometers per hour.

Less than a week ago, Typhoon Khanun rolled through the region, brushing past Japan on its way to South Korea, forcing auto-plant closings, hundreds of flight cancellations and power outages.