Japan has issued an emergency warning as Typhoon Shanshan approaches the southwest of the country.
The powerful storm has prompted the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of residents and caused disruptions across various sectors, including the closure of Toyota's factories and the cancellation of many flights.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that as of Wednesday, Typhoon Shanshan was 70 kilometers (43 miles) from Yakushima island, moving north toward Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures on Kyushu island.
Aljazeera reports that the storm is expected to bring very strong winds of up to 250 km/h (155 mph), along with high waves and torrential rain.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi warned that the typhoon would hit southern Kyushu with "extremely strong force" on Thursday, potentially bringing winds and waves stronger than past storms.
Authorities have issued evacuation orders for more than 800,000 residents in Kagoshima prefecture on Kyushu and in the Aichi and Shizuoka prefectures on central Honshu island, southwest of Tokyo.
In response to the storm, Toyota has announced that all 14 of its plants in Japan will shut down from Wednesday evening through Thursday morning.
The typhoon has also caused major disruptions to air travel, with Japan Airlines canceling 172 domestic flights and six international flights scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. ANA has also canceled 219 domestic flights and four international flights set for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Trains between Tokyo and Fukuoka may also be cancelled depending on weather conditions, operators said.
Postal and delivery services have also been suspended in the Kyushu region, and supermarkets and other stores announced plans to close early.
The JMA expects Typhoon Shanshan to continue moving over Kyushu in the coming days, possibly reaching central and eastern Japan, including Tokyo, by the weekend.
As the storm approaches, people across the country are preparing for its impact.
