Japan: damage cost caused by flood

In 2019, the total amount of damage cost caused by floods in Japan amounted to over two trillion Japanese yen. This was a large increase compared to around 1.3 trillion Japanese yen in the previous year. From late June through mid-July, there were floods and mudflows due to severe rainfall.

Seasonal rainfall and floods in Japan

In most of Japan, the rainy season lasts from early June to mid-July. Heavy rainfall can cause floods, which in turn can lead to landslides and mudflows in mountainous areas. Flooded houses accounted for the highest number of damage situations in natural disasters. Furthermore, heavy rainfall and floods are often caused by typhoons, which develop over the Pacific Ocean and regularly approach the archipelago between July and October. Japanese people stated wind gusts and tornadoes as well as flooding as their leading fears regarding typhoons.

Climate change in Japan

Climate change has influenced Japan in recent years, resulting in increased average annual rainfall and an increase in the average annual temperature in Tokyo. These changes are already affecting the flora and fauna in Japan: The growth of crops such as rice plants is often inhibited as the weather is no longer suitable for their cultivation. Corals in the Japanese sea started to die due to rising sea temperatures, and tiger mosquitoes are now found further north. Furthermore, these weather changes can intensify natural disasters such as heavy rainfall and typhoons. To counter global warming, Japan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by increasing its renewable and nuclear energy share.