More than 600 local and international flights have been canceled by domestic airlines, and among Japan's top two carriers, All Nippon Airways Co. and Japan Airlines Co. have canceled 289 and 180 flights each.

The Tokaido Shinkansen and Sanyo Shinkansen bullet train lines have been suspended by railway operators and parts of major highways have also been closed, the transport ministry said.

Some stores in Osaka and Kyoto prefectures as well as in other parts of western Japan have shut down operations for the day, as did the Universal Studios theme park in Osaka.