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A super typhoon heading for Japan could make landfall by Saturday, bringing heavy rain, gale-force winds, high waves and storm surges, to an area still recovering from a devastating typhoon last month, experts warn.

Key points:

• Experts warn it could be more powerful and destructive than a 1958 typhoon that left 1,269 dead
• Last month, Typhoon Faxai killed three and left 930,000 people without power
• Experts warn as many as 5 million people will have to be evacuated

Parts of Japan are still recovering from a devastating typhoon that struck a month ago, as the new storm, Typhoon Hagibis, headed north over the Pacific towards Japan's main island.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued warnings and advisories along the entire southern coast of Japan, as many made preparations for torrential rain and powerful winds.

Jeff Masters, a meteorologist with the magazine Scientific American, told the New York Times that if Hagibis proceeded as predicted, it could become one of the most damaging typhoons in Japanese history.
"If it hits Tokyo Bay, like some of the current forecasts are saying, then it's going to be a multi-billion-dollar disaster," Dr Masters said.

The South China Morning Post quoted experts warning it could be more powerful and more destructive than a typhoon that left 1,269 dead in 1958.

Last month, Typhoon Faxai killed three people, injured dozens and left 930,000 people without power when it hit eastern Japan.
Typhoon Hagibis is expected to pass over or close to Chiba prefecture, which was hit hard by typhoon Faxai. Naoto Hayashi, an official at the prefectural government's disaster-response headquarters urged people to get ready.
"In particular, we want them to store up at least three days' worth of food and water," Mr Hayashi said.

In Tokyo, which is also in the likely path of the storm, 1.5 million people live below sea level in eastern parts of the city.

Experts have warned that as many as 5 million people would have to be evacuated if massive dikes and levees in low-lying areas were to be overwhelmed by surging floodwaters.
 

Sports matches, flights and transport suspended

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Rugby World Cup organisers cancelled Saturday's game between England and France as well as New Zealand's match against Italy due to the risk from the typhoon, while a Sunday game between hosts Japan and Scotland is also in doubt.

The sport's governing body, World Rugby, and tournament officials said the decision had been taken due to the expected disruption, particularly to transport.

The Japanese airline ANA will cancel all domestic flights to and from Tokyo's Haneda airport and Narita airport in Chiba prefecture, east of Tokyo, on Saturday, it said on its website.

Japan Airlines has also cancelled more than 90 per cent of domestic flights to and from those airports on Saturday, public broadcaster NHK reported.

East Japan Railway Co, which serves eastern Japan including Tokyo, said it might have to suspend operations on conventional lines as well as the Shinkansen bullet train service over the weekend.

Operations of the Shinkansen linking Tokyo and the western city of Osaka could also be cancelled over the weekend, Central Japan Railway Co said.
Organisers of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix said they were keeping a close eye on the typhoon and were working to minimise any disruption to this weekend's schedule. The Suzuka circuit, which is set to host Sunday's race, is about 300km southwest of Tokyo.

Japan's navy, or Maritime Self Defence Force as it is known, has cancelled two preview days of a fleet review and may have to abandon the main event on Monday as well.

The review, last held four years ago, is due to include 46 naval vessels, including a helicopter carrier, destroyers and submarines, and 40 aircraft.