Thousands told to evacuate as 'extremely strong' typhoon nears Japan (update)

High waves hit a coastal area in Ibusuki, Kagoshima prefecture, western Japan, on Aug 28, 2024, as typhoon Shanshan approaches. - Kyodo News via AP

TOKYO: Japan braced Wednesday (Aug 28) for its strongest typhoon of the year, with authorities advising tens of thousands of people to evacuate and issuing the highest warning level for wind and storm surges on the main southern island of Kyushu.

"Typhoon Shanshan is expected to approach southern Kyushu with extremely strong force through Thursday and it may make landfall," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters.