Japan evacuated more than 2 million people and issued warnings of floods and landslides as Typhoon Malikah approached on Friday, while heavy rain from the storm — which passed over neighbouring Taiwan — forced the closure of parts of the island and prevented around 6 million people from going to work or school.
Typhoon Malikah, currently classified as a tropical storm, is approaching Japan's Ryukyu Islands in the south after passing through Taiwan and causing heavy rainfall across parts of the island, particularly in the southern regions of Kaohsiung, Tainan and Pingtung.
Heavy rain and fierce winds also lashed parts of southern and western Japan, where authorities warned of landslides, flash floods and river flooding, and ordered 2.2 million people to evacuate.
Japan's Ministry of Land said the country had already cancelled more than 200 flights, suspended dozens of train services and closed a number of motorways.
Meanwhile, the governments of three Taiwanese regions ordered offices and schools to close on Friday. Severe flooding in Tainan forced the closure of part of the main railway line connecting the north and south of the island.
Around 6 million people live in the three Taiwanese regions and the city of Hsinchu, all of which have been affected.
No casualties were reported in Taiwan, but authorities in Hualien County are working to evacuate nearly 200 residents from two towns located at the outlet of a mountain lake that is filling up rapidly.
Rainfall is expected to continue over Taiwan for at least the coming week, though it will gradually ease.
The rain is not entirely unwelcome for Taiwan, as the island depends on its regular summer and autumn typhoon seasons to fill its reservoirs after winters that are typically dry.