Typhoon approaches Japan

Typhoon Neoguri churned Tuesday toward Japan's southern Okinawa island chain, packing sustained winds of 180 kilometers per hour (112 miles per hour). Authorities urged 500,000 people to take shelter.

Oil refining operations were stopped at the Nishihara refinery in Okinawa on Monday evening. More than 50,000 households were without power as winds rocked trees and masts. The main city Naha was strewn with greenery.

NHK television said one man was missing after his boat was swamped. Several people have been injured in falls.

The storm is expected to reach the main southern island of Kyushu on Wednesday, bringing severe downpours, and Tokyo and Osaka on Honshu later in the week.

Storm unprecedented

Japan's state minister for disaster management Keiji Furuya urged residents to "take utmost caution." Japan's chief forecaster Satoshi Ebihara warned of impacts "never experienced before," including violent winds and storm tides.

Around two to four typhoons make landfall in Japan each year, but they are unusual in July.

The US military said it had relocated some aircraft from its Kadena Air Force Base on Okinawa and urged service families to tie down outdoor items beforehand and stay inside when Neoguri swept through.

"This is the most powerful typhoon forecast to hit the island in 15 years," said base commander James Hecker.

Japan's Meteological Agency said Neogui was traveling north at 25 kilometers per hour and approaching Okinawa from the south early on Tuesday. It warned that its wide span could add to potential damage.

Ships warned to stay clear

Authorities in China and Taiwan also warned ships to stay clear of the typhoon.

On Sunday, Neoguri did not make landfall as it roared past the Philippines, where Typhoon Haiyan struck six months ago, killing at least 6,000 people.

ipj/mz (dpa, AFP, AP, Reuters)