Japan prepares for powerful Typhoon Shanshan

People have been urged to take precautions (Kyodo News via AP)

Japan is preparing for a powerful typhoon as it slowly approached the country’s south-west, threatening to bring heavy rains and strong winds and cancelling flights and train services.

Typhoon Shanshan was roughly 75 miles south of the southern island of Yakushima on Wednesday morning as it headed north toward Kyushu, packing winds of up to 112mph, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.