Typhoon Mawar losing strength as it heads toward Japan’s Okinawa Islands

Family members watch waves affected by a severe weather system in Itoman, southern Japan (AP)

Typhoon Mawar appears to be losing force as it heads for Japan’s Okinawa Islands, where the United States maintains a significant military presence, after largely skirting Taiwan and the Philippines.

After tearing across Guam last week, Mawar passed by Taiwan on Tuesday with sustained winds of 96mph and gusts of up to 118mph, sending high waves crashing on the island’s east coast.