An active low-pressure system and fronts are developing over the Sea of Japan, bringing strong winds and torrential rain to western and eastern parts of the country.
On Tuesday evening, winds of 130 kilometers per hour were observed in a suburb of Tokyo, and winds of 106 kilometers per hour blew in the center of the capital.
Winds of up to 90 kilometers per hour are expected in Niigata Prefecture on the Sea of Japan and in northern Japan.
Coastal areas of western to northern Japan are expected to grow stormy with waves as high as 6 to 10 meters, and areas on the Japan Sea coast and northeastern Japan may have flooding due to high waves.
NHK has learned that 3 people were killed and at least 249 people have been injured in 32 prefectures due to strong winds.
In Fukui Prefecture, 2 storage houses of an elementary school have been blown away.
136 cases of damage to houses have been reported in 23 prefectures.
More than 725 domestic flights have been canceled.
Trains have been canceled in Tokyo and its vicinity.
Many ferry services connecting Tokyo and islands have also been canceled.
A 10,000-ton cargo ship that had been moored off Imabari City in western Japan ran ashore.
Strong winds have also caused power outages affecting at least 20,000 households in 7 prefectures.
The low-pressure system is expected to continue to grow as moves east over the Sea of Japan and northern Japan.
The Meteorological Agency is warning of gusts, high waves and heavy rain.
Taiwan to increase quota for solo Chinese tourists In Taiwan, the authority of President Ma Ying-jeou says it will increase the daily quota for individual Chinese tourists from major cities.
Last year, Taiwan began allowing residents of Beijing, Shanghai or Amoy above a certain income level to visit the island.
Tourists from 6 more cities will be permitted in starting on April 28th, and 4 more by the end of this year. The 10 additional cities include Tianjin, Chongqing and Hangzhou.
The new measures will allow 1,000 individual Chinese travelers per day, double the current 500.
About 1.8 million Chinese tourists traveled to Taiwan last year, making up about 30 percent of the island's total number of visitors. But most Chinese come as part of group tours.
The Ma administration hopes to increase the number of individual visitors, in particular wealthy Chinese with strong purchasing power.
Ma was re-elected in January on a pledge to strengthen economic ties with China. He is expected to continue promoting private-sector exchanges.