Thread by @adamliaw

Just spoke to my brother-in-law in Tokyo about the coming typhoon and he said "we're all just praying for not too much destruction".

I remember my first typhoon in Tokyo nearly 20 years ago. I hadn't seen the news (I couldn't speak Japanese back then) and decided to go out shopping because I thought it was just raining. I wondered why the streets were deserted.

It was brutal. Winds knocked you off your feet. Cars being pushed sideways. Flooding everywhere. I could barely open my eyes. I hid in a doorway until I could race back home.

With so many visitors in Japan for #RWC2019 who might not be used to typhoons, I hope people listen to their hotels and things when they warn about the danger. It's no laughing matter.

This is the Japan equivalent of visitors to Australia who go hiking in the bush without water, or swimming on deserted beaches with rips. If people don't educate themselves there will be fatalities. If you have friends visiting Japan at the moment, encourage them to stay safe.