Strong typhoon batters Japan, 28 hurt

At least 28 people have been reported injured in Kyushu and Okinawa as a result of typhoon Vongfong.

Large waves generated by typhoon Vongfong hit the coast in Hamagawa, Chatan town, on the island of Okinawa, southern Japan, 11 October 2014. (EPA)

A powerful typhoon has poured heavy rains over Japan's southern island of Okinawa and is aiming at the next island of Kyushu.

The severe storm is the second to hit the region in a week.

At least 28 people have been reported injured in Kyushu and Okinawa, where authorities on Sunday told 150,000 people to evacuate.

Typhoon Vongfong, packing winds of up to 180 kilometres per hour, has been downgraded from a "super-typhoon" and was on course to reach Kyushu by Monday.

Authorities issued landslide warnings and strong winds knocked out power lines, temporarily halting bullet train service for several hours on Kyushu.

Firefighters inspect a neon sign that broke due to the strong winds generated by typhoon Vongfong in Urasoe city on the island of Okinawa, southern Japan, 11 October 2014. (EPA)

Last week's typhoon killed three US airmen who were washed out at sea in Okinawa, home to about half of the roughly 50,000 American troops stationed in Japan.

The US military instructed service personnel and their families to remain indoors on Sunday until strong winds and rain subsided, and said crews were out to assess damage.