"TOKYO — A giant typhoon was sweeping across Japan's Okinawa prefecture Tuesday, bringing with it powerful winds, high waves and heavy rains, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue its highest warning.

Evacuation orders were issued to nearly 600,000 people throughout Okinawa, as Typhoon Neoguri pummeled its way north through the prefecture at 30 kilometers per hour (18 miles an hour). As of Tuesday afternoon, the storm was packing sustained winds of 180 kph and gusts as strong as 252 kph, the agency said.

Television reports showed smashed trees and scattered debris on the streets of Naha, Okinawa's capital. All domestic flights to and from Okinawa had been canceled, as well as all ferries connecting islands within the prefecture. Japan's national broadcaster NHK reported that 68,500 households were experiencing blackouts."

Alexander Martin reports for the Wall Street Journal July 8, 2014. [2]