An intense tornado struck Makhi Nohara and Yoshida in Shizuoka prefecture, Japan on September 5, 2025, claiming a life injuring at least 90 people.
According to Shizuoka Prefectural Government, the tornado swept powerfully through the city damaging over 1800 structures as reported.
The Japanese Meteorological Agency reported that peak winds around 270km/h (168mph) contributed in making it one of the strongest tornadoes on record in Japan.
Furthermore, the JMA reported that the powerful tornado developed in unstable conditions associated with "Tropical Storm Peipah", which made landfall in the Kochi prefecture region earlier the same day.
The local authorities informed that the storm brought heavy rains to parts of the country, including the Shizuoka Prefecture, triggering landslides and flooding in the region.
The strongest tornado flounced through areas from Makhi Nohara and Yoshida prefecture overturning vehicles, toppling utility poles, and damaging residential and industrial structures.
Moreover, the JMA reported that about 20 minutes before the Makinohara–Yoshida tornado, a separate destructive wind event struck Kakegawa.
The Japanese meteorological agency concluded that this was also a tornado, rating it JEF2 with winds of about 198 km/h (123 mph).
Furthermore, the JMA suggests when people see cumulonimbus clouds developing, they should move to a safe place, like inside a sturdy building or a spot away from the window as such conditions could lead to a tornado forming nearby.
However, tornado wind speeds cannot be measured directly, the JEF scale, developed from the Fujita Scale created in 1971 by the late Japanese-born meteorologist Tetsuya Fujita, estimates intensity based on damage.
Previously, a JEF3 tornado was confirmed in 2018 on Ie Island in Okinawa Prefecture.
Before the enhanced scale was developed, tornadoes of F3 intensity, the third-highest out of seven levels on the Fujita Scale, were recorded in the cities of Joso and Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture in 2012, as well as in the town of Saroma in Hokkaido in 2006, As reported by Japan Times.
Shizuoka city is one of Japan’s most important Prefecture, located in Honshu region. It is best known for the view of “Mount Fuji”.
Moreover, Shizuoka is considered as the second-largest city in both population and area.