Typhoon Phanfone is approaching the southwestern part of Japan.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT the center of Phanfone was located at latitude 28.9°N and longitude 131.4°E which put it about 200 miles south of Miyazaki, Japan and about 670 miles southwest of Tokyo.  Phanfone was moving toward the north at 9 m.p.h.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. and there were gusts to 140 m.p.h.

Phanfone is already bringing rain and wind to parts of southwestern Japan.  It could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rainfall as it moves northeastward.  Phanfone is nearing the latitude of stronger upper level westerly winds.  Those winds will soon make Phanfone start to move toward the northeast.  Phanfone will move more quickly toward the northeast on Sunday afternoon and evening and it could be near Tokyo in about 24 hours.  The westerly winds will also increase the wind shear over Phanfone and create a weakening trend.  As more cooler air gets pulled into the circulation, Phanfone will begin a transition to an extratropical cyclone.