Japan Braces For 2 Powerful Weather Systems
Two powerful weather systems are bearing down on western Japan from different directions. Weather officials are warning people on the southwestern island of Kyushu to prepare for a strong typhoon.
At the same time, a severe tropical storm is expected to hit the region in the coming days.
Typhoon Maysak has been gathering force, and is moving north near Kyushu.
And the prefecture of Nagasaki is in the storm zone, where maximum wind gusts of over 140 kilometers per hour have been recorded.
Meanwhile, weather officials are urging people to prepare for severe tropical storm Haishen, approaching the western part of the country over the Pacific.
They say Haishen is expected to gather force and will possibly grow to be a violent typhoon.
Sugimoto Satoshi of Japan Meteorological Agency said, "A typhoon that warrants an emergency warning is approaching. It is rare for such a powerful storm to approach Japan."
The agency warns the storm could bring record rainfall and powerful gusts of wind.
The Japan Coast Guard is searching for a Panamanian-flagged cargo ship that sent a mayday call early on Wednesday.
Typhoon Maysak was approaching the area when contact with the vessel was lost.
The officials say 43 people, mostly Filipino, are on board the ship.
Defense Ministry officials say their patrol aircraft spotted a rescue boat and a person in life jacket floating in the area.
