Typhoon approaches the Japanese coast

A powerful typhoon approaching southern Japan pounded the region with strong winds and heavy rain Sunday. The Japan Meteorological Agency said Typhoon Nanmadol was near the southern island of Yakushima, packing maximum surface winds of 162 kilometers per hour, as it slowly headed north to the country's main southern island of Kyushu.

The storm is forecast to turn east and reach Tokyo on Tuesday. Hundreds of domestic flights in and out of the region have been canceled and more are planned to be grounded in western Japan through Tuesday. Public transportation including trains and buses in Kagoshima and Miyazaki were suspended throughout Sunday.