One of the most powerful storm’s to hit Japan in recent years is set to make landfall. <br /><br />Typhoon Neoguri began pounding Japan’s southern Okinawa Island chain early on Tuesday causing widespread disruption.<br /><br />Though weakened from its original status as a super typhoon, Neoguri remains intense with winds of more than 250 kilometres per hour. <br /><br />Local authorities urged some 500,000 people across Okinawa to stay indoors. <br /><br />There are no nuclear plants on Okinawa, though there are two on Kyushu, which lies in an area through which the typhoon is likely to pass later on.<br /><br />Japan’s Meteorological Agency has warned of heavy rains and potential flooding in Kyushu. <br /><br />A high-seas warning is in effect across the region. <br /><br />Officials say four people, including an 83-year-old women have been injured, while a fisherman was also reported missing. <br /><br />While regional flights in Okinawa have been cancelled, for the moment mainland Japan and Tokyo remain largely unaffected. Neoguri is expected to pass near the capital later this week.
