Japan warns citizens of the approaching Typhoon Meari

Typhoon Meari is expected to make landfall on Japan's Pacific coast close to Tokyo on Saturday, during the annual Bon summer holiday season, the weather agency said.

The agency warned of disasters including potential landslides, flooding in low-lying areas, overflowing rivers, strong winds and high waves, especially in the Tokai region in central Japan, Kyodo news reported.

In the 24 hours to 6 a.m. Sunday, Typhoon Meari was forecast to bring up to 300 millimeters of rain to the Tokai region, 250 mm to east Japan's Kanto-Koshin region and 120 mm to the Tohoku region in the northeast, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

According to the agency, thunderstorms and very strong rain was expected primarily on Japan's Pacific coast, with some areas likely to be hit by torrential rain and some parts seeing more rain if linear rainbands develop.