Super typhoon Halong set to approach southern Japan on Saturday

TOKYO, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Powerful typhoon Halong is expected to reach the southern Japanese island of Kyushu on Saturday and may hit other regions in western Japan this weekend, the Japan Meteorological Agency said Friday.

As the third super typhoon of 2014, Halong may bring more than 1,000 millimeters rainfall on the Pacific side of western Japan, said the agency.

Officials also warned of strong winds and high waves by the typhoon to the region, which is expected to bring winds of up to 180 kph in Shikoku and southern Kyushu as well as those of up to 144 kph and 126 kph in northern Kyushu and Kinki respectively.

Just one month earlier, typhoon Neoguri passed over and brought torrential rains and strong winds to wide areas of the Japanese archipelago, leaving five people dead and more than 50 injured.