A powerful typhoon, possibly the strongest in decades, is battering the country's southwest.

As Typhoon Haishen draws closer, authorities are warning of potentially record rainfall, unprecedented wind, high tides and large ocean swells.

More than 780,000 people in southwestern Japan have been ordered to evacuate immediately as Typhoon Haishen threatens to hit the region.

As of 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, evacuation orders were issued to the following municipalities -- Goto City and Sasebo City in Nagasaki Prefecture, Kuma Village and Tsunagi Town in Kumamoto Prefecture, Kijo Town in Miyazaki Prefecture, Toshima Village, Tarumizu City, Kanoya City, Kagoshima City, Mishima Village, Nishinoomote City, Makurazaki City, Satsumasendai City, Minamiosumi Town, and Kinko Town in Kagoshima Prefecture.

People in Japan's northern prefecture of Hokkaido are remembering the victims of a powerful earthquake that struck exactly two years ago. The quake left 44 people dead and 785 injured.

The town of Atsuma was hardest hit, with 37 deaths. Many of those who died were engulfed in massive mudslides triggered by the jolt.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government says 116 new cases of the coronavirus had been confirmed in the capital as of 3 p.m. on Sunday.

The daily tally fell below 200 for the third straight day.

More than 530,000 people in southwestern Japan have been ordered to evacuate immediately as Typhoon Haishen threatens to hit the region.

As of 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, evacuation orders were issued to over 36,000 people in Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture.

More than 430,000 people in southwestern Japan have been ordered to evacuate immediately as Typhoon Haishen threatens to hit the region.

As of 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, evacuation orders were issued to over 36,000 people in Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture.

Japanese weather officials are calling on people to stay on the highest alert even though Typhoon Haishen, now threatening Japan's southwest, has weakened slightly.

Officials of the Meteorological Agency held a news conference at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Footage from the island Kikai-jima in Kagoshima Prefecture shows slashing rain and trees bending in strong winds.

The footage was taken from the second floor of a hotel facing the sea.

Japanese weather officials are calling on people to stay on the highest alert even though Typhoon Haishen, now threatening Japan's southwest, has weakened slightly.

Officials of the Meteorological Agency held a news conference at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Japan's Meteorological Agency says Typhoon Haishen, now threatening Japan's southwest, has weakened slightly but could still be the most powerful storm in decades. Weather officials are warning of record-breaking winds, high waves, storm surges and unprecedented heavy rain in the Kyushu region.

The agency says it's unlikely to issue an emergency warning for Kagoshima Prefecture. It typically issues typhoon-related emergency warnings 12 hours before storm centers reach target areas.

Lawmakers vying to lead Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party are trying to gain support ahead of the LDP presidential election on September 14.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide announced his priorities online on Saturday.

Japan's Prince Hisahito turns 14 on Sunday. He is the nephew of Emperor Naruhito and second in line to the throne after his father, Crown Prince Akishino.

Prince Hisahito became a second grader at a junior high school in Tokyo in April. While the school was closed due to the coronavirus until early June, he went to class on-line.

What could be the most powerful typhoon in decades is threatening Japan's southwest. The Meteorological Agency has declared it's probable that it will issue an emergency warning for Kagoshima Prefecture on Sunday morning.

An agency official said, "Typhoon Haishen is expected to approach or make landfall in Kagoshima Prefecture late Sunday night. Kagoshima is expected to enter the storm zone shortly after noon on Sunday. We may issue an emergency warning for violent winds, high waves, and a storm surge in Kagoshima on Sunday morning."

Japanese musicians have won top prizes at the 27th International Johannes Brahms Competition in Poertschach, Austria.

The contest, named after the famed 19th-century German composer, is seen as a gateway to success for young artists.