Strong typhoon batters southwest Japan; 28 hurt

Typhoon Vongfong, packing winds of up to 178 kmph, has been downgraded from a 'super-typhoon'

A powerful typhoon has poured heavy rains over Japan's southern island of Okinawa and veered northeastward toward the main island of Kyushu, becoming the second severe storm to hit in a week.

At least 28 people have been reported injured in Kyushu and Okinawa, and 150,000 people have been told to evacuate. Typhoon Vongfong, packing winds of up to 178 kilometers (110 miles) per hour, has been downgraded from a "super-typhoon" and is on course to reach Kyushu by tomorrow.

Warnings have been issued about mudslides and strong winds knocked out power lines, halting bullet train service.

Last week's typhoon killed three US airmen who were washed out at sea in Okinawa.

Okinawa is home to about half of the roughly 50,000 American troops stationed in Japan.