Severe tropical storm could approach Japan's main island

A severe tropical storm is currently bringing heavy rain and violent winds to remote parts of Japan. Authorities say it could come close to the Kanto region including Tokyo from Sunday. High waves, landslides and flooding are possible.

Japan Meteorological Agency officials say as of 12 a.m. on Saturday, Severe Tropical Storm Dujuan was 190 kilometers south-southwest of Chichijima Island in the Ogasawara Island chain. It was moving westward at 15 kilometers per hour.

Downpours are expected in the area until around noon. Up to 180 millimeters of rain is forecast in the 24 hours through Saturday evening.

In the three hours through 12 a.m. on Saturday, maximum gusts of over 90 kilometers per hour were observed on Chichijima Island. Sustained winds could reach 90 kilometers per hour, with gusts peaking at 126 kilometers per hour through Sunday evening. Rough seas are expected with waves of up to 8 meters.

Agency officials say the storm had a central atmospheric pressure of 975 hectopascals and maximum sustained winds of 108 kilometers per hour near the center. Maximum gusts were 162 kilometers per hour. Violent winds of more than 90 kilometers per hour were observed within a 110-kilometer radius of the center.

Dujuan is expected to approach the Izu Islands south of Tokyo on Sunday and possibly affect areas along Japan's Pacific side, including Kanto and Shizuoka Prefecture, through Monday.

Rain is expected to intensify before the storm approaches. In the 24 hours through Sunday evening, up to 200 millimeters is forecast for the Izu Islands and Kanto, and 150 millimeters for Shizuoka.

People are advised to check the latest information and prepare early.

Separately, authorities issued warnings and advisories for rain, flooding and landslides in parts of Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan.