Strong winds disrupts traffic in Japan

TOKYO - Japan's weather agency on Tuesday urged people to prepare for disruptions in public transportation caused by strong winds that slashed wide parts of western Japan and affected Tokyo.

People brave the strong wind and rain in Tokyo April 3, 2012. Strong winds which hit Japan on Tuesday caused flight cancellations and disrupted transport systems, forcing commuters to leave work early, public broadcaster NHK and Japan's Metrological Agency said. [Photo/Agencies]

The gusts had disrupted operations of flights and train services in western Japan in the morning. Japan Airlines said it had canceled 160 flights, while All Nippon Airways said 83 flight cancellations had been made due to the strong winds.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned that an active low pressure system and fronts would cause strong winds in northern and northeastern prefectures from later Tuesday to Wednesday.

In Tokyo and its neighboring prefectures, commuters were advised to go home as early as possible in case that strong winds would affect train services.

Strong winds of over 100 kph could hit wide areas in western, eastern and northern Japan, including Tokyo and its vicinity, according to a Kyodo News report.