Weather officials are urging people in northern Japan to prepare for stormy conditions as Severe Tropical Storm Maria is forecast to approach the region.
The Meteorological Agency says Maria is moving northward over waters east of Japan.
The storm is expected to intensify and shift westward on Sunday. It may approach northern Japan with the possibility of making landfall there around Monday.
Winds are likely to strengthen from Saturday. Gusty weather is forecast on Sunday, with a maximum sustained wind speed of 72 kilometers per hour and peak gusts of 108 kilometers per hour in the Tohoku region.
The sea off Tohoku is expected to be rough from Saturday. Waves as high as 7 meters are forecast on Sunday.
Intermittent downpours accompanied by thunder are also forecast in northern Japan on Sunday.
Weather officials warn that in Tohoku, up to 150 millimeters of rain could fall in the 24-hour period until late Sunday afternoon. They expect up to 200 millimeters in the 24 hours after that.
The officials are urging people to stay updated on weather information, review hazard maps around their homes, consider evacuation destinations and pack items for evacuation.