The first nine months of the year saw the fewest number of typhoons approach Japan's four main islands and Okinawa since the Meteorological Agency began compiling relevant data in 1951, the agency said Friday, attributing the phenomenon partly to the effects of El Nino.
Only one typhoon had come within 300 km of Okinawa's coastline by the end of September, compared with an average of 5.9 for the same period. At least two typhoons usually threaten Okinawa every year.
And only two typhoons have skirted the main islands of Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku and Hokkaido in the period, matching the previous low.
The agency said a high pressure system in the Pacific Ocean that sets the course of typhoons was less developed near Japan this summer than usual, a development it attributed to El Nino, the periodic warming of tropical waters in the Pacific Ocean.
In addition, the westerly winds took an irregular course in mid-August that led typhoons northward away from Japan, the agency said.
Overall, 18 typhoons had appeared by the end of September, compared with the average of 19.1. Six approached the Japanese archipelago, including the Izu and Ogasawara isles.