Businesses in Kansai were reeling Wednesday from the impact of a powerful typhoon that devastated the area the previous day, with disruptions hitting tourism operators, stores, theme parks and food supply chains.
Kansai International Airport, a key transport and cargo hub located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay — almost directly in the typhoon's path — remained shut on Wednesday after Jebi, the strongest tropical cyclone to come ashore in 25 years, flooded its runways and smashed a tanker into the road and rail bridge connecting the airport to the mainland.
The airport is a key cargo hub, particularly for semiconductor parts — the biggest export by category. Parts suppliers in the region said they were examining their options.