TOKYO, Aug. 15 -- A powerful typhoon that battered Japan's main islands for two days killed at least five people and caused widespread power outages before losing strength Thursday. The storm, which at its peak had winds clocked at about 125 mph (200 kph), hit southern Kyushu island Wednesday, then headed northeast across Japan's other main islands, knocking out power and disrupting rail and air services. Among those feared dead in Typhoon Kirk was an unidentified U.S. serviceman swept out to sea off Okinawa. At least 59 people were hurt and two people were reported missing. In Tokyo, winds hit 65 mph (105 kph) Thursday but no major damage was reported. Heavy rains of up to 2 inches (5 cm) per hour were forecast to pelt central and northern Japan. Heavy rain warnings were issued, especially for Miyagi prefecture, 275 miles (443 km) north of Tokyo, where the ground has become soft due to a series of fairly strong earthquakes. The Maritime Safety Agency rescued the friend of a U.S. sailor who was swept to sea off Okinawa and was feared dead. 'The two were apparently sitting on a sea wall they had swam out to, when a wave swept them into the sea,' said military spokesman Tom Peery. Police said the body of a 30-year-old woman swept away by high waves in Okinawa was found. In southwest Japan, a 71-year-old man died Wednesday after he was hit by flying debris and an 8-year-old boy drowned, police said.
In Chiba prefecture east of Tokyo, a 55-year-old man and an 11-year-old boy reportedly were washed out to sea by a powerful wave. Some 35 people were injured during an overnight fireworks display in Niigata prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast, local police said. A firework blew into a viewing stand shortly after organizers sped up the display because of the approaching typhoon. The typhoon also grounded three cargo ships in Kagoshima Bay, but no crew members were injured, the Maritime Safety Agency said. Rail service was suspended and main highways were closed in Kyushu Wednesday. Airports in Kyushu also were closed, while ferry services connecting Kyushu with other Japanese cities and South Korea were suspended. Authorities said high winds delayed flights at Narita airport outside Tokyo on Wednesday, stranding more than 1,000 people at the airport who could not get accommodation. Russian and U.S. naval forces suspended exercises in the Sea of Japan as Typhoon Kirk approached Thursday. The exercises, about 60 miles (97 km) south of Vladivostok, were part of disaster training involving the two navies.
