Typhoon Jangmi made landfall in southern Wakayama Prefecture around 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue its first Level 5 warning under a new disaster scale. The storm then moved out into the sea east of Japan by that evening. Meanwhile, the agency briefly declared the highest flood emergency for the Koza River before downgrading it hours later.
The JMA activated the Level 5 warning at 5:35 a.m. after confirming flooding along the waterway. This marked the inaugural use of the five-level system introduced in late May. Consequently, authorities urged immediate evacuation as linear precipitation bands unleashed torrential rain across the region. Later, the agency lowered the alert to a Level 2 advisory at 8:50 a.m. Additionally, Level 4 warnings for landslides and flooding covered Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture, and other areas.
Various local governments quickly issued evacuation orders under the new framework. In Hachijo, Tokyo, officials opened shelters on Tuesday afternoon, allowing elderly residents to move during daylight. More than 40 people ultimately sought safety there. However, other communities saw far lower compliance. Suginami Ward triggered a Level 4 flood warning after several rivers neared dangerous levels. The ward opened nine shelters, yet only 30 residents arrived at the peak.
Similarly, Shinagawa Ward issued a full evacuation order and readied 17 shelters, but just 10 people showed up. Many residents chose to stay put, believing their homes sat far enough from waterways. The Level 5 warning and related alerts thus exposed a significant communication gap between officials and the public.
Prof. Naoya Sekiya of the University of Tokyo, an expert in disaster information, said the messages still do not sufficiently encourage voluntary early evacuation. He also noted that municipality-wide heavy rain warnings prove difficult for residents to perceive as immediate threats. He called for the JMA and local governments to discuss more effective response strategies. The Level 5 warning, though historic, revealed that better public awareness remains essential as Japan enters its storm season.
