Powerful Typhoon Khanun lashes southwest Japanese islands, grounding flights and closing businesses

Naha airport is deserted as it is closed due to approaching typhoon in Naha, Okinawa, southern Japan, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Hundreds of flights into and out of the Naha airport, including a more than a dozen international flights connecting Seoul, Hong Kong, Taipei and Shanghai, were canceled, according to the airport. Public transportation on Okinawa, including buses and light rail transit systems in Naha, and ferries connecting Okinawa and nearby islands, were suspended.(Kyodo News via AP)

TOKYO (AP) — A powerful typhoon approached Japan's southwestern island of Okinawa on Tuesday, lashing the region with strong winds and high waves and forcing transportation to halt and stores to close.

Slow-moving Typhoon Khanun, which means jackfruit in Thai, was heading northwest at speeds of 15 kph (9 mph) on Tuesday night, packing surface winds of up to 180 kph (111 mph). It was at sea southeast of Okinawa’s main island, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

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