Large typhoon in Pacific to approach southwestern Japan islands

TOKYO - A large typhoon in the Pacific moved westward toward Japan's southwestern islands on Thursday, with the weather agency warning that the storm's effects could persist as it gradually slows.

Typhoon Dolphin, this year's 13th typhoon, was forecast to approach islands stretching southwest from Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan's four main islands, as well as Okinawa in the coming days. Toyota Motor Corp. said it will halt operations at nine factories in the country from Friday.