Devastating JEF3 Tornado Strikes Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan

On September 5, 2025, a powerful JEF3 tornado struck the city of Makinohara and the neighboring town of Yoshida in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, resulting in one fatality, 83 injuries, and significant property damage. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) estimated the tornado's wind speeds at approximately 270 km/h (168 mph), classifying it as one of the strongest ever recorded in the country.

The tornado, which occurred around 12:50 PM local time, was associated with the outer bands of Tropical Storm Peipah, which made landfall in Japan on the same day. The storm's trajectory and the formation of linear precipitation zones contributed to the development of severe weather conditions, including tornadoes.

In Makinohara, the tornado destroyed two houses, severely damaged 117 structures, and partially damaged 1,217 others. More than 20,000 homes lost electricity; power was fully restored by 4:30 PM on September 8. Approximately 20 minutes before the Makinohara–Yoshida tornado, a separate JEF2 tornado with estimated wind speeds of 198 km/h (123 mph) affected the city of Kakegawa in the same prefecture.

Japan has recorded only 13 JEF3 tornadoes since 1961, with no JEF4 or JEF5 tornadoes ever documented. The increasing frequency and intensity of severe weather events in Japan may be indicative of broader climate change trends, necessitating enhanced preparedness and mitigation strategies.

The tornado caused significant disruption to daily life, with widespread property damage and power outages. Local authorities emphasized the need to prevent disaster-related deaths as recovery and reconstruction efforts commenced.

Residents faced significant disruptions, with widespread property damage and power outages. Local authorities emphasized the importance of preventing disaster-related deaths as recovery efforts commenced.

The JEF3 tornado in Shizuoka Prefecture serves as a stark reminder of nature's unpredictability and the critical importance of community resilience and proactive disaster management in the face of escalating extreme weather events.