Recent Extreme Wind Events and Damage Assessment in Japan

摘要

In Japan, natural disasters that threaten the living environment of developed urban areas include typhoons and tornadoes, as well as earthquakes. The change of urban form that has occurred with the vertical development of buildings for the past 30 years has brought about new wind damage situations, and the damage caused by Typhoon Mireille in 1991 highlighted the need for new wind-resistant measures. In addition, there is growing concern about the destructive damage caused by recent extreme winds accompanying tornadoes in residential areas and around public facilities. Even if the area damaged is not so large, the sudden occurrence of tornadoes has sometimes caused serious destruction and many casualties within some districts. The wind-induced damage which occurred from 2005 to 2006 as the result of tornadoes led to operation of a new tornado advisory system. Some measures have recently been taken to reduce damage caused by wind-borne debris, which is continuously generated under extreme winds. This report describes recent extreme wind-induced damage in Japan and discusses some features of the damage. Although the damaged objects were mainly buildings and structures, an accident involving a railcar and another involving temporary construction are also noted.