The Japanese Grand Prix's entire Saturday track programme, including qualifying, has been cancelled as "violent" <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/two-world-cup-games-axed-as-super-typhoon-bears-down-on-japan-254892">Typhoon Hagibis bears down</a> on the Suzuka circuit, race organisers announced Friday.

Qualifying will be rescheduled to 10am Sunday, with the race taking place at 2:10pm as originally planned, providing the weather improves.

The Suzuka circuit will be closed, with no public or media allowed in for safety reasons as Hagibis, packing heavy rain and winds in excess of 200 kilometres (125 miles) per hour is expected to make landfall on Saturday. &nbsp;

"As a result of the predicted impact of Typhoon Hagibis on the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix, Mobilityland and the Japanese Automobile Federation have decided to cancel all activities scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 12," said a statement issued Friday by the motorsport's governing body FIA.

"The FIA and Formula One support this decision in the interest of safety for the spectators, competitors and everyone at the Suzuka Circuit," it continued.

The decision means the teams and drivers will just have Friday's two practice sessions in which to prepare for Sunday morning's qualifying session because Saturday's third session will not be rescheduled.

Safety first

Formula One qualifying in Japan was also moved to Sunday in 2004 and in 2010 because of poor weather.&nbsp;

The typhoon has already claimed casualties at the Rugby World Cup in Japan, with Saturday's England-France clash in Yokohama and the New Zealand-Italy match in Toyota City cancelled.

The volatile nature of Hagibis -- classed as "violent" and the equivalent of a Category Five hurricane -- means even Sunday's race could be under threat, though the current forecast is for clearer weather.

A postponement of the grand prix to Monday is impossible, the FIA said.

The latest forecast predicts Hagibis to make landfall near Tokyo on Saturday with the Suzuka circuit, which lies near the Honshu coast about 300 kilometres (180 miles) southwest of the capital, being battered on the fringes.

The safety-first stance of organisers comes after the tail-end of a typhoon led to tragedy at the 2014 race at Suzuka.

French driver Jules Bianchi crashed after losing control in rain and poor visibility and died the following year from his injuries having never recovered from a coma.

Leading drivers backed changing the weekend timetable. "I don't think anybody wants to put anybody's life in danger," said Ferrari's four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel at Thursday's media day.

"The decision is not for us, necessarily, because for us it's nice and easy, cosy, in the garage. But for the people out there around the track, it is not nice to be sitting there with rain going sideways."

The blank Saturday will be a huge disappointment to thousands of fanatical supporters at one of the best-attended races on the circuit.

The Japanese Grand Prix's entire Saturday track programme, including qualifying, has been cancelled as "violent" Typhoon Hagibis bears down on the Suzuka circuit, race organisers announced Friday.

The Japanese Grand Prix's entire Saturday track programme, including qualifying, has been cancelled as "violent" Typhoon Hagibis bears down on the Suzuka circuit, race organisers announced Friday. Qualifying will be rescheduled to 10am Sunday, with the race taking place at 2:10pm as originally planned, providing the weather improves. The Suzuka circuit will be closed, with no public or media allowed in for safety reasons as Hagibis, packing heavy rain and winds in excess of 200 kilometres (125 miles) per hour is expected to make landfall on Saturday. "As a result of the predicted impact of Typhoon Hagibis on the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix, Mobilityland and the Japanese Automobile Federation have decided to cancel all activities scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 12," said a statement issued Friday by the motorsport's governing body FIA. "The FIA and Formula One support this decision in the interest of safety for the spectators, competitors and everyone at the Suzuka Circuit," it continued. The decision means the teams and drivers will just have Friday's two practice sessions in which to prepare for Sunday morning's qualifying session because Saturday's third session will not be rescheduled. Safety first Formula One qualifying in Japan was also moved to Sunday in 2004 and in 2010 because of poor weather. The typhoon has already claimed casualties at the Rugby World Cup in Japan, with Saturday's England-France clash in Yokohama and the New Zealand-Italy match in Toyota City cancelled. The volatile nature of Hagibis -- classed as "violent" and the equivalent of a Category Five hurricane -- means even Sunday's race could be under threat, though the current forecast is for clearer weather. A postponement of the grand prix to Monday is impossible, the FIA said. The latest forecast predicts Hagibis to make landfall near Tokyo on Saturday with the Suzuka circuit, which lies near the Honshu coast about 300 kilometres (180 miles) southwest of the capital, being battered on the fringes. The safety-first stance of organisers comes after the tail-end of a typhoon led to tragedy at the 2014 race at Suzuka. French driver Jules Bianchi crashed after losing control in rain and poor visibility and died the following year from his injuries having never recovered from a coma. Leading drivers backed changing the weekend timetable. "I don't think anybody wants to put anybody's life in danger," said Ferrari's four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel at Thursday's media day. "The decision is not for us, necessarily, because for us it's nice and easy, cosy, in the garage. But for the people out there around the track, it is not nice to be sitting there with rain going sideways." The blank Saturday will be a huge disappointment to thousands of fanatical supporters at one of the best-attended races on the circuit.

Japan Grand Prix cancelled as Typhoon Hagibis bears down on Suzuka circuit

Rugby World Cup organisers took the unprecedented step Thursday of canceling two games -- England v France and New Zealand v Italy -- as Japan braces for Super Typhoon Hagibis, likely the biggest storm to hit the country this year.

Both games were in the projected path of the large and powerful typhoon, which currently has a "violent" rating -- the highest category by Japan's weather bureau -- and is due to hit the Tokyo area on Saturday.

Sunday's four games, including the Pool A shoot-out between hosts Japan and Scotland in Yokohama, near Tokyo, remain under review, said tournament director Alan Gilpin.

"We've taken the very difficult decision to cancel certain matches in the affected areas," Gilpin said.&nbsp;

"While it's regrettable, we've made, we believe, the right decision with everyone's safety as the priority," he added.

Tens of thousands of fans, many of the visitors from abroad, will be affected by the cancellations,&nbsp;the first in the tournament's 32-year history. Their tickets will be fully refunded, Gilpin said.

Japan, whose capital Tokyo hosts the Olympics next year, is battered by around 20 typhoons per year and is one of the world's most seismically active countries.

But Gilpin stressed he had "no regrets at all" about bringing the World Cup to Japan, the first Asian country to host the tournament.

"I think what you've all seen over the last three weeks absolutely in every respect vindicates the right decisions to be hosting a World Cup here in Japan," he said.

"We always knew there were going to be risks. It's rare for a typhoon of this magnitude to cause this impact this late in the typhoon season."

He added that World Rugby had looked "pretty exhaustively" at other options for the games, including switching venues, but "we couldn't guarantee consistent contingency plans across all those games safely for all the teams and fans involved".

Seven games were slated for the final weekend of the pool stage, when matches are tightly packed and cannot be rescheduled. Cancelled games are recorded as 0-0 draws, with both teams awarded two points.

England and France have already qualified from Pool C, with Eddie Jones's men top of the group, but Pool A hangs in the balance ahead of Japan's final game against Scotland in Yokohama on Sunday.

If that game were abandoned, Scotland would be eliminated and Japan would qualify for their first quarter-final as shock group winners, with Ireland runners-up.

Australia's game against Georgia on Friday will go ahead, as will Saturday's match between Ireland and Samoa, which is in Fukuoka in Japan's southwest, out of the predicted path of the storm.

Hagibis, packing maximum gusts of up to 270 kilometres&nbsp;per hour, is currently projected to batter the Tokyo and Yokohama area on Saturday.

The storm "is predicted to be the biggest typhoon of the 2019 season and is highly likely to cause considerable disruption... including likely public transport shutdown and disruption", said Gilpin.

Japan's Meteorological Agency said Hagibis was currently "a large and violent typhoon" and while it will weaken before hitting the mainland, it will "remain very strong" and have a "significant impact over large areas".&nbsp;

Hagibis is currently forecast to clip the southeastern corner of Japan near Tokyo and Yokohama but given its size, the impact will be felt across wide swathes of the country.

Formula One organisers also said they were "closely monitoring" the potential impact of Hagibis ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, southwest of Tokyo.

In 2014, Marussia driver Jules Bianchi crashed in bad weather conditions caused by a typhoon, and remained in a coma until his death the following July.

Many people in Chiba, east of Tokyo, are still recovering from Typhoon Faxai, which struck Japan in early September and caused widespread disruption, leaving two people dead and cutting power to half-a-million homes.

Hagibis is taking a similar trajectory to Faxai but is nearly three times bigger in terms of area.

Organisers received immediate criticism for the cancellations, with former World Cup winner Francois Pienaar telling Sky Sports: "Everybody has worked so hard. Why, if you work that hard and prepare yourself, let weather influence the outcome of the match? It shouldn't."

Simon Learey, a British fan here, said he had flown out for the England-France game after getting the tickets as a birthday present.

"Very disappointed, we're only here four days, only to see that game," said Learey.

Rugby World Cup organisers took the unprecedented step Thursday of canceling two games -- England v France and New Zealand v Italy -- as Japan braces for Super Typhoon Hagibis, likely the biggest storm to hit the country this year.

Rugby World Cup organisers took the unprecedented step Thursday of canceling two games -- England v France and New Zealand v Italy -- as Japan braces for Super Typhoon Hagibis, likely the biggest storm to hit the country this year. Both games were in the projected path of the large and powerful typhoon, which currently has a "violent" rating -- the highest category by Japan's weather bureau -- and is due to hit the Tokyo area on Saturday. Sunday's four games, including the Pool A shoot-out between hosts Japan and Scotland in Yokohama, near Tokyo, remain under review, said tournament director Alan Gilpin. "We've taken the very difficult decision to cancel certain matches in the affected areas," Gilpin said. "While it's regrettable, we've made, we believe, the right decision with everyone's safety as the priority," he added. Tens of thousands of fans, many of the visitors from abroad, will be affected by the cancellations, the first in the tournament's 32-year history. Their tickets will be fully refunded, Gilpin said. Japan, whose capital Tokyo hosts the Olympics next year, is battered by around 20 typhoons per year and is one of the world's most seismically active countries. But Gilpin stressed he had "no regrets at all" about bringing the World Cup to Japan, the first Asian country to host the tournament. "I think what you've all seen over the last three weeks absolutely in every respect vindicates the right decisions to be hosting a World Cup here in Japan," he said. "We always knew there were going to be risks. It's rare for a typhoon of this magnitude to cause this impact this late in the typhoon season." He added that World Rugby had looked "pretty exhaustively" at other options for the games, including switching venues, but "we couldn't guarantee consistent contingency plans across all those games safely for all the teams and fans involved". Seven games were slated for the final weekend of the pool stage, when matches are tightly packed and cannot be rescheduled. Cancelled games are recorded as 0-0 draws, with both teams awarded two points. England and France have already qualified from Pool C, with Eddie Jones's men top of the group, but Pool A hangs in the balance ahead of Japan's final game against Scotland in Yokohama on Sunday. If that game were abandoned, Scotland would be eliminated and Japan would qualify for their first quarter-final as shock group winners, with Ireland runners-up. Australia's game against Georgia on Friday will go ahead, as will Saturday's match between Ireland and Samoa, which is in Fukuoka in Japan's southwest, out of the predicted path of the storm. Hagibis, packing maximum gusts of up to 270 kilometres per hour, is currently projected to batter the Tokyo and Yokohama area on Saturday. The storm "is predicted to be the biggest typhoon of the 2019 season and is highly likely to cause considerable disruption... including likely public transport shutdown and disruption", said Gilpin. Japan's Meteorological Agency said Hagibis was currently "a large and violent typhoon" and while it will weaken before hitting the mainland, it will "remain very strong" and have a "significant impact over large areas". Hagibis is currently forecast to clip the southeastern corner of Japan near Tokyo and Yokohama but given its size, the impact will be felt across wide swathes of the country. Formula One organisers also said they were "closely monitoring" the potential impact of Hagibis ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, southwest of Tokyo. In 2014, Marussia driver Jules Bianchi crashed in bad weather conditions caused by a typhoon, and remained in a coma until his death the following July. Many people in Chiba, east of Tokyo, are still recovering from Typhoon Faxai, which struck Japan in early September and caused widespread disruption, leaving two people dead and cutting power to half-a-million homes. Hagibis is taking a similar trajectory to Faxai but is nearly three times bigger in terms of area. Organisers received immediate criticism for the cancellations, with former World Cup winner Francois Pienaar telling Sky Sports: "Everybody has worked so hard. Why, if you work that hard and prepare yourself, let weather influence the outcome of the match? It shouldn't." Simon Learey, a British fan here, said he had flown out for the England-France game after getting the tickets as a birthday present. "Very disappointed, we're only here four days, only to see that game," said Learey.

Two World Cup games axed as super typhoon bears down on Japan

Typhoon Tapah approached southwestern Japan Sunday, with heavy rain and strong winds grounding hundreds of regional flights.

Tapah, with gusts up to 162 kilometres&nbsp;per hour, was expected to draw near Nagasaki prefecture overnight, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

It was on course to travel through the channel between Japan and the Korean Peninsula before moving toward northern Japan on Monday when it is expected to weaken and be downgraded, the agency said.

The storm prompted cancellations of more than 400 domestic flights, according to national broadcaster NHK.

"Serious caution is warranted for violent winds, high waves, and landslides," said Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency in a statement.

So far the typhoon has caused 21 minor injuries, mostly in a southern island region of Okinawa that was hit by the storm earlier.

Evacuation advisories have been issued to more than 2,000 regional residents, according to the disaster management agency.

Tapah follows on the trail of Typhoon Faxai, which barrelled through Tokyo earlier this month, packing record winds that brought down power lines, caused travel chaos and disrupted Rugby World Cup preparations.

It resulted in a lengthy blackout on the outskirts of Tokyo that left tens of thousands of people without power for more than a week.

Typhoon Tapah approached southwestern Japan Sunday, with heavy rain and strong winds grounding hundreds of regional flights. Tapah, with gusts up to 162 kilometres per hour, was expected to draw near Nagasaki prefecture overnight, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Typhoon Tapah approached southwestern Japan Sunday, with heavy rain and strong winds grounding hundreds of regional flights. Tapah, with gusts up to 162 kilometres per hour, was expected to draw near Nagasaki prefecture overnight, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. It was on course to travel through the channel between Japan and the Korean Peninsula before moving toward northern Japan on Monday when it is expected to weaken and be downgraded, the agency said. The storm prompted cancellations of more than 400 domestic flights, according to national broadcaster NHK. "Serious caution is warranted for violent winds, high waves, and landslides," said Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency in a statement. So far the typhoon has caused 21 minor injuries, mostly in a southern island region of Okinawa that was hit by the storm earlier. Evacuation advisories have been issued to more than 2,000 regional residents, according to the disaster management agency. Tapah follows on the trail of Typhoon Faxai, which barrelled through Tokyo earlier this month, packing record winds that brought down power lines, caused travel chaos and disrupted Rugby World Cup preparations. It resulted in a lengthy blackout on the outskirts of Tokyo that left tens of thousands of people without power for more than a week.

Flights cancelled as Typhoon Tapah approaches Japan

Around 17,000 passengers were stranded overnight at Tokyo's Narita Airport, an official said Tuesday, after it took a direct hit from a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/powerful-typhoon-faxai-pummels-tokyo-region-248483">powerful typhoon</a> that caused transport chaos throughout the capital.

The typhoon caused more than 100 flights to be scrapped and road and rail links to the airport were also badly affected, leaving many with no transport options to the city 70 kilometers (45 miles) to the west.

Airport spokesman Kei Miyahara told AFP that a total of 16,900 were stuck at the airport at midnight.

"Passengers are now beginning to go home or to their final destinations as buses and trains have resumed operations," Miyahara said early Tuesday.

Narita Airport, located in Chiba to the east of Tokyo, was right in the line of fire of Typhoon Faxai, which brought winds of up to 207 kilometers (129 miles) per hour.

Suburban trains throughout the huge Tokyo metropolitan area were not reopened until 8 am on Monday as officials checked for debris and damage. This sparked pandemonium during the notoriously busy morning commute.

The chaos came as Japan is preparing to host the Rugby World Cup later this month and with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics just around the corner.

There was a "minor" disruption to some teams' schedules, admitted a Rugby World Cup spokesman, with Australia's arrival delayed and the England team, stuck for hours at the airport.

They passed the time in a particularly English way by playing cricket.

The airport said it delivered 2,000 bottles of water, 19,000 bags of crackers and 18,000 bedrolls to stranded passengers.

"We delivered information in English and Japanese on digital signs, and made announcements in four languages" including Chinese and Korean, said Miyahara.

However, there was mass frustration and passengers complained about a lack of information and long queues for taxis.

The airport operator will review their experiences and draw lessons later, Miyahara said.

Around 17,000 passengers were stranded overnight at Tokyo's Narita Airport, an official said Tuesday, after it took a direct hit from a powerful typhoon that caused transport chaos throughout the capital.

Around 17,000 passengers were stranded overnight at Tokyo's Narita Airport, an official said Tuesday, after it took a direct hit from a powerful typhoon that caused transport chaos throughout the capital. The typhoon caused more than 100 flights to be scrapped and road and rail links to the airport were also badly affected, leaving many with no transport options to the city 70 kilometers (45 miles) to the west. Airport spokesman Kei Miyahara told AFP that a total of 16,900 were stuck at the airport at midnight. "Passengers are now beginning to go home or to their final destinations as buses and trains have resumed operations," Miyahara said early Tuesday. Narita Airport, located in Chiba to the east of Tokyo, was right in the line of fire of Typhoon Faxai, which brought winds of up to 207 kilometers (129 miles) per hour. Suburban trains throughout the huge Tokyo metropolitan area were not reopened until 8 am on Monday as officials checked for debris and damage. This sparked pandemonium during the notoriously busy morning commute. The chaos came as Japan is preparing to host the Rugby World Cup later this month and with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics just around the corner. There was a "minor" disruption to some teams' schedules, admitted a Rugby World Cup spokesman, with Australia's arrival delayed and the England team, stuck for hours at the airport. They passed the time in a particularly English way by playing cricket. The airport said it delivered 2,000 bottles of water, 19,000 bags of crackers and 18,000 bedrolls to stranded passengers. "We delivered information in English and Japanese on digital signs, and made announcements in four languages" including Chinese and Korean, said Miyahara. However, there was mass frustration and passengers complained about a lack of information and long queues for taxis. The airport operator will review their experiences and draw lessons later, Miyahara said.

Nearly 17,000 passengers stranded at Tokyo's Narita airport as Typhoon Faxai hits

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Japan Grand Prix cancelled as Typhoon Hagibis bears down on Suzuka circuit

Two World Cup games axed as super typhoon bears down on Japan

Flights cancelled as Typhoon Tapah approaches Japan

Nearly 17,000 passengers stranded at Tokyo's Narita airport as Typhoon Faxai hits