Typhoon Bolaven has hit the Japanese island of Okinawa. State broadcaster NHK said waves around the island could reach 12 metres.
Up to 500mm of rain were forecast for the 24 hours till midday on Monday, as well as at winds of around 180km/hr with gusts of 252 km/hr.
All domestic and international flights out of Naha airport have been cancelled.
Bolaven is the typhoon of the season in east Asia and could be the strongest storm to strike Okinawa in more than 50 years.
