Typhoon Chaba, which means hibiscus in Thai, was some 150 kilometres (93 miles) southeast of the Amami islands, packing winds of up to 144 kilometres per hour near its centre, said the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The islands are 1,300 kilometres (800 miles) southwest of Tokyo and the typhoon was moving northeast off Japan's Pacific coast, on course to hit the capital region this weekend, the agency said.

In the Amami islands at least 257 residents evacuated to public halls and schools, while 19 flights were cancelled at Amami airport, affecting 390 passengers, officials and news reports said.

Chaba has since Thursday brought heavy rains and strong winds that have whipped up high waves, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

Residents on the Amami island chain were on high guard against landslides after they were battered last week by torrential rains that flooded wide areas and left at least three people dead.

"We have not received any additional damage, but we keep urging our residents to be on special alert until the typhoon leaves the region completely," said Kenichiro Maeda, an official of Amami City.

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