Strongest tornado ever recorded in Japan hits Shizuoka prefecture

"Japan has experienced the strongest tornado in its recorded history after a devastating twister tore through Shizuoka prefecture. Classified as a JEF3, level 3 out of 5 on Japan's tornado intensity scale, the tornado packed wind gusts of up to 168mph last Friday, injuring 89 people and leaving a trail of destruction across the region. The hardest hit areas included Makinohara and Yoshida, where vehicles were overturned and more than 1,200 structures were damaged."

"The tornado occurred as a result of unstable conditions from Tropical Storm Peipah, which made landfall in Japan's Kochi prefecture on the same day, striking near the city of Sukomo. The storm unleashed torrential rain and powerful winds, causing damage across the region. Peipah left 24 people injured, damaged or destroyed more than 40 homes and knocked out power to nearly 14,000 people. Before the storm, authorities issued evacuation orders affecting more than 600,000 residents, urging caution against the ensuing flooding and landslides."

"Meanwhile, Hurricane Kiko, once a powerful category 4 hurricane in the eastern Pacific, weakened to a tropical storm as it skirted past Hawaii this week. Kiko, which formed on 31 August, had sustained wind speeds of 110mph on Sunday as it dropped to category 2 strength. By Tuesday, the system was officially downgraded to a tropical storm status. Kiko veered north of the Hawaiian islands and by Wednesday its remnants hovered near the northern tip of Kaua'i."

A powerful JEF3 tornado struck Shizuoka prefecture with wind gusts up to 168mph, injuring 89 people and damaging over 1,200 structures, with Makinohara and Yoshida hardest hit. Since records began in 1961, Japan has recorded 13 level 3 tornadoes but none at level 4. The tornado developed from unstable conditions caused by Tropical Storm Peipah, which made landfall in Kochi near Sukomo, leaving 24 injured, destroying or damaging more than 40 homes, and cutting power to nearly 14,000 people. Authorities issued evacuation orders for over 600,000 residents amid heavy rain and landslide risk. Meanwhile, Hurricane Kiko, once a category 4 storm, weakened to a tropical storm as it passed north of the Hawaiian islands, with remnants near Kaua'i and forecasters warning of large swells.

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