Typhoon Malakas is approaching Japan's Ogasawara Islands in the Pacific.

The Japan Meteorological Agency says as of Wednesday afternoon the typhoon was moving northeast over the seas to the east of the Philippines at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour.

Its core barometric pressure is 955 hectopascals and has a core maximum wind velocity of about 140 kilometers per hour, with gusts of over 200 kilometers per hour. Winds of over 90 kilometers per hour are blowing within a 130-kilometer radius of the storm center.

The typhoon is expected to gain strength through Thursday. It is likely to come closest to the Ogasawara Islands on Friday.

Winds of up to 65 kilometers per hour and gusts of more than 100 kilometers per hour are forecast for the islands on Thursday.

On Friday, the islands are expected to see a maximum wind velocity of up to 126 kilometers, and gusts of up to 180 kilometers per hour.

Seas will be rough, with waves as high as 7 meters on Thursday and 12 meters on Friday.

The islands could have heavy rain on Friday as they will be covered by rainclouds accompanying the typhoon.

Rainfall of 100 to 200 millimeters are expected in some areas during the 24-hour period from Thursday evening.

Weather officials are calling on people in the area to be alert for gale force winds, high waves, landslides, flooding and swollen rivers.