Typhoon approaching Japan's main islands

TOKYO - A powerful typhoon is closing in on Japan's main islands with gusty wind and downpour expected to follow, Japan's Meteorological Agency said Sunday.

Typhoon "Jelawat" was in waters about 220 km south of southwestern prefecture of Kochi as of 9 am local time, and is heading northeast at 45 km per hour with winds near its center reaching 162 km per hour, according to the agency.

Weather officials have warned against strong wind, torrential rain, landslides and possible flooding, saying the typhoon is expected to continue to batter western to eastern Japan after lashing the southern prefectures of Okinawa and Kagoshima.

At least 96 people have been injured in the two prefectures, and nearly 200,000 households were still without electrical power as of Sunday morning.

Air travel disruptions in the country have caused the cancellation of 280 flights so far.