Factors contributing to dust storms in source regions producing the yellow-sand phenomena observed in Japan from 1993 to 2002

► Dust source area in northeast Asia was identified with reference to past results. ► Relationship between the dust phenomena in Japan and the target area was examined. ► Dust storms in the target area were largely affected by the strong wind speed. ► Dust storms in the target area correlated with the coverage of NDVI in April.