Powerful Typhoon Fitow is expected to hit Japan's southern island chain of Okinawa on Saturday, with domestic and international flights to and from the islands cancelled, officials said.
Japan, Taiwan and China are bracing for the storm, with Japan's meteorological agency warning of strong winds and heavy rains, as well as the risk of tornados, just two weeks after Typhoon Usagi wreaked havoc in the region.
At 10:00 am (0100 GMT), Typhoon Fitow was moving slowly northwest, about 200 kilometres (124 miles) south of Naha, the capital of Okinawa, the agency said.
Japan Airlines, All Nippon Air