Japan issued an emergency warning as the country braced for a powerful typhoon slowly approaching the southwest of the country, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.

Typhoon Shanshan was located about 120 kilometers (75 miles) south of the southern island of Yakushima on Wednesday morning and was moving north toward the southwestern Japanese island of Kyushu with winds of up to 180 kilometers (110 mph), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.

The agency said the typhoon is expected to hit southern Kyushu and make landfall on Thursday. JMA issued a high-level warning for Kagoshima Prefecture for strong winds, high waves and tides, as well as heavy rain.

Even before the typhoon makes landfall, it begins dumping rain in southern Japan.

According to the JMA, southern Kyushu is expected to receive 500 millimeters (19.6 inches) of rain in the 24 hours through Thursday morning and 600 millimeters (24.4 inches) in the 24 hours through Friday morning.

More than 800,000 residents must evacuate

Authorities have issued evacuation orders for more than 800,000 residents of Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu, and the central prefectures of Aichi and Shizuoka.

In Aichi, two suspected occupants of a house that collapsed in a landslide during heavy rains are missing. Three residents of the house have been rescued, public broadcaster NHK reported.

According to the JMA, Shanshan is expected to reach central and eastern regions, including the capital Tokyo, over the weekend.

Airlines cancel some flights

Airlines and railways have canceled some services in the coming days. Kyushu Railway said it would suspend some Shinkansen bullet train services between Kumamoto and Kagoshima Chuo from Wednesday evening, warning of further disruptions.

ANA Holdings has announced that it will cancel a total of more than 210 domestic flights scheduled to depart or arrive in southwestern Japan between Wednesday and Friday, affecting approximately 18,400 passengers.

Japan Airlines said it would cancel 170 domestic flights through Thursday. A total of 10 international flights operated by both airlines are also suspended.

Toyota shuts down factory in Japan

Automaker Toyota has announced that it is halting production at all of its factories in Japan due to an approaching typhoon.

About 28 production lines at 14 group companies will stop operations from Wednesday afternoon. One line at truck maker Hino Motors will resume operations on Thursday morning, the company spokesman added.

Mazda Motor says it also plans to suspend operations at its plants in Hiroshima and Hofu, both in western Japan, from
Thursday evening through Friday.
Typhoon Shanshan is the latest severe weather to hit Japan, following Typhoon Ampil last week, which also caused power outages and evacuations.

dh/sms (AP, AFP, Reuters)