Typhoon Shanshan is moving slowly northward off Japan's southwest. The maximum gust speed is forecast to reach around 250 kilometers per hour in the typhoon's center--strong enough to bring down houses.

Japan's Meteorological Agency has issued an emergency warning for storms and high waves for Kagoshima Prefecture, excluding the Amami region.

The very strong typhoon was moving slowly over waters 70 kilometers south-southwest of Yakushima island as of 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

Bands of heavy rain clouds are expected to develop over Kagoshima and the neighboring prefecture of Miyazaki through Wednesday night. This could suddenly increase the risk of a disaster.

Localized heavy rain is also hitting western and eastern parts of Japan, although the typhoon is still distant from these areas.

Weather officials are urging caution against violent winds, high waves, rough seas, as well as landslides and flooding of rivers.

The maximum gust speed on Kikaijima Island in the Amami region reached nearly 110 kilometers per hour at around 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Rain is intensifying in the Tokai region in central Japan as warm, moist air is flowing in.

The city of Omaezaki in Shizuoka Prefecture had rainfall of 40.5 millimeters during the hour through 4 a.m.

The city of Shinshiro in Aichi Prefecture had a rainfall of 304.5 millimeters during the 48 hours through 10:40 p.m. on Tuesday. That's the most for August in the city since record-keeping began in 2003.

Shanshan is expected to come close to the Kyushu region, while further picking up strength, through Thursday.

During the 24 hours through Wednesday night, rainfall could reach up to 400 millimeters in these areas, 250 millimeters in northern Kyushu and Shikoku, and 200 millimeters in Tokai.