Tropical Storm Mekkhala and Tropical Storm Higos impacted Japan on June 26 and June 27, 2026, causing one fatality and four injuries. Authorities ordered the evacuation of approximately 1 million people across the country. Heavy rain from the storms led to widespread flooding, flight cancellations, and disruptions to rail and factory operations.

A man in his 70s died after a house collapsed in a landslide in Yamaguchi Prefecture on June 26. Three other individuals were injured in the same incident in Yamaguchi. Separately, one person was injured after falling into a waterway in Nara on the same day. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported that over 30 homes were flooded in Nara and Hiroshima.

Flooding alerts were issued for areas including Kyoto, Osaka, and other parts of western Japan. Train operations and flights in western Japan experienced disruptions due to the heavy rainfall. Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways canceled more than 200 flights, primarily to and from Okinawa and Kagoshima prefectures.

Toyota briefly halted operations at its factory in Kyushu on June 26. The Japan Meteorological Agency stated that Storm Mekkhala was off the western coast of Amami Island on the afternoon of June 26. The agency also forecasted that both storms were expected to reach the Tokyo region on June 27.

On June 27, Level 4 landslide warnings were issued for parts of Shizuoka, Kanagawa, and Chiba prefectures. These warnings were largely removed later that day. The Japan Meteorological Agency recorded rainfall totals over the 24 hours through 8:30 p.m. on June 27, including 232 millimeters in Choshi, 195 mm in Kimitsu, 183 mm in Kyonan, 170 mm in Mobara, and 167 mm in Kamogawa.

Prior to reaching Japan, Tropical Storm Mekkhala brought torrential rain to Taiwan, where at least two people died. Taiwan ordered offices and schools closed in Kaohsiung, Pingtung, and Tainan due to flooding. More than 1,600 people were evacuated from their homes in Taiwan because of flooding and landslides. "The road outside was flooded up to the knees, and inside our shop it was a little below knee level," dessert shop owner Chi said. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) stated its factories in Taiwan operated normally despite the storms. Japan's military postponed the maiden flight of a V-22 Osprey transport aircraft to Miyako Island due to the weather conditions.

Why It Matters

Tropical Storm Mekkhala and Tropical Storm Higos caused loss of life, injuries, mass evacuations, and disruption to critical infrastructure and industries in Japan. The impact across multiple prefectures affected transportation, residential areas, and manufacturing. The postponement of a military flight also indicated the scope of the disruption.