As Typhoon Ma-on began turning to the north on October 8 towards Japan, the JMA warned residents in the Tōkai, Kansai, and Shikoku regions of heavy rain. Meteorologists warned it would likely become the strongest storm to strike the Kantō region in at least a decade. Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways cancelled 262 flights collectively on October 9, affecting 53,000 passengers. Overall, 380 domestic and 72 international flights were cancelled because of Ma-on. The Central Japan Railway Company temporarily suspended service for the entire Tōkaidō Shinkansen line, which travels from Tokyo to Shin-Ōsaka. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for 3,528 families across five prefectures, while a further 1,600 families voluntarily evacuated from 13 others. Voluntary evacuations also took place on Minamidaitōjima. Practice and qualifying runs for the 2004 Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit, initially scheduled for October 9, were suspended until the following day. Play at the Japan Open was suspended briefly because of the rain from the storm.