Japan prepares as Neoguri approaches the southern mainland. Typhoon Neoguri began life east of Guam and trekked into the warm waters of the Philippine Sea and intensified. Neoguri has since weakened from the Category five system, although it still remains very strong and large as it moves into the East China Sea, with estimated gusts over 250km/hour. Neoguri is now tracking north and is heading to the southern Japanese Islands of Amami Oshima this evening. As it moves near the islands large waves, heavy rain, thunderstorms, gale force winds and flash flooding are possible. Many parts of the mainland are also under a thunderstorm advisory tonight. Typhoon Neoguri is set to make landfall over the mountainous areas over southern Japan on Thursday morning. As Neoguri encounters land, it will weaken into an extra-tropical system with gale force winds and areas of heavy rain sweeping through the mainland during Thursday and Friday.