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A powerful typhoon has crashed into the Japanese island of Okinawa, forcing thousands of residents to take cover.
Forecasters are predicting slow-moving Typhoon Bolaven could be the strongest storm to strike the island in more than 50 years.
Residents have been told to stay indoors and protect themselves against the strong winds and heavy rain.
State broadcaster NHK said gusts could overturn cars, while waves around the island could reach 12m (40ft).
Japan's meteorological agency estimated wind speeds near the storm's centre at around 180km/h (112 mph), while extremely strong gusts were reaching 252 km/h.
All domestic and international flights out of the island's Naha Airport have been cancelled.
Some 200 households are already without electricity, and hundreds of people have taken shelter in public buildings on the island.
Typhoon Bolaven comes just after Typhoon Temblin, which has caused widespread damage in Taiwan.
The latest typhoon is the 15th destructive storm of the season in East Asia.
Are you in Okinawa? Are you preparing for the typhoon? Send us your comments using the form below.
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