Powerful typhoon moves west but not to hit quake-struck southwestern Japan

TOKYO - The Japanese weather agency said on Tuesday that a large, powerful typhoon was moving westward from a Pacific island, warning of high waves and strong winds, but noting it was not expected to have a direct impact on areas in southwestern Japan affected by the recent major earthquake.

As of noon, Typhoon Dolphin, the year's 13th typhoon, was moving westward at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour south of Chichijima Island in the Ogasawara island chain, packing winds of up to 216 kph, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.