A very strong typhoon is forecast to approach the Okinawa region in southwestern Japan around Wednesday. Weather officials are warning of rough seas and violent winds.

The Meteorological Agency says that as of 6 p.m. Sunday, Japan time, Typhoon Mawar was moving west-northwest over waters east of the Philippines at 15 kilometers per hour.

The typhoon was packing winds of 162 kilometers per hour near its center with peak gusts of 216 kilometers per hour.

The storm zone spans a 220-kilometer radius northeast of the center and a 150-kilometer radius southwest of the center.

Choppy seas are expected in the Sakishima islands from Monday. Depending on the typhoon's path, the islands could see stormy conditions from around Wednesday.

The relatively slow advance of the typhoon means that its effects will continue for a long time.

A rain front coupled with damp air from the typhoon and a high-pressure system is expected to make atmospheric conditions unstable in many regions.

Torrential rain is forecast along the Sea of Japan coast on Monday.

During the 24-hour period until late Monday afternoon, up to 150 millimeters of rainfall is expected in the Hokuriku region and Gifu Prefecture; 140 millimeters in Niigata Prefecture and 120 millimeters in the Chugoku region.

Heavy rain could fall in eastern and western Japan, as the rain front will stay over the region for a long time.

The agency is urging people to stay on the alert against mudslides, flooding in low-lying areas, rising river levels, lightning strikes and gusts.

It's advisable to check a hazard map, local evacuation centers and food and other emergency supplies at home.