By MIZUHO MORIOKA/ Staff Writer
March 30, 2021 at 16:20 JST
Seasonal yellow dust was observed in wider areas of Japan on the morning of March 30, detected from Kyushu to the Tohoku region, obscuring scenic views.
The dust reduced visibility to 5 kilometers at 9 a.m. in Osaka Prefecture, according to the Osaka District Meteorological Observatory.
High-rise buildings in central Osaka were largely overshadowed by the dust, as well as city landmarks such as Osaka Castle and Abeno Harukas.
Yellow dust was also observed in the prefecture on March 29.
The dust was also seen at its observation points in Niigata, Sendai, Hiroshima, Takamatsu, Fukuoka and Kagoshima at 9 a.m., the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
Spring westerly winds carry yellow dust from deserts in the Chinese mainland, resulting in a thick haze that can cause respiratory problems and disrupt transportation networks.
The dust is expected to temporarily die down by the evening of March 31, the JMA said.
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Yellow dust blankets high-rise buildings in central Osaka on March 30. (Taku Hosokoawa)
