A strong typhoon is on course to hit the northeastern part of Japan on Tuesday afternoon. Authorities have warned residents of heavy rain and high waves along the Pacific Coast.
The weather agency said Typhoon Lionrock was 170 kilometres (105 miles) east of the city of Choshi, situated straight east of Tokyo, as of 9 am (0000 GMT).
The typhoon was moving over the Pacific Ocean at some 180 kilometres per hour and is heading towards northeast at a speed of about 35 km per hour.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, Lionrock would be the first typhoon to directly land in the region from the Pacific Ocean since 1951.
The authorities expect Lionrock to hit the region at high tide, deepening concerns for flooding along the coast. They have also warned of landslides and high water due to the expected heavy rainfall of up to eight centimetres per hour.
The national broadcaster NHK said almost 110 domestic flights have been cancelled.
The Meteorological Agency of Japan said the typhoon is expected to cut across the country's main island of Honshu and head out to sea towards Russia and China.
