Japan weather forecast: Super Typhoon Hagibis to smash into Japan, forcing cancellation of Rugby World Cup matches

England vs France and New Zealand vs Italy games will not be played as storm bears down on central areas of country

Two Rugby World Cup matches have been cancelled in Japan as the country prepares to be hit by a super typhoon with the potential to cause widespread damage from torrential rains and high winds.

Typhoon Hagibis – which means “speed” in Filipino – had sustained speeds of 270kmh (168mph) early on Thursday along with stronger gusts – making it the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane.

Speeds are expected to fall before it makes landfall in the Tokyo region over the weekend.

Large areas of Japan’s central Pacific coast may see torrential rains beginning on Friday and worsening on Saturday while high waves and tides may cause flooding, according to forecasts.

The Japan Meteorological Agency urged people to take precautions to avoid potentially life-threatening danger.

Rugby World Cup organisers have already cancelled two games which were to be played on Saturday as a result – England vs France in Yokohama, and New Zealand vs Italy in Toyoda.

Cancelled matches will be recorded as a scoreless draw, with each team receiving two points. As a result, England will top their group.

England head coach Eddie Jones said the team was disappointed, but the decision not to play was the right one.

A marathon going through in Sendai and other northern coastal towns has also been cancelled, and Formula One racing in Suzuka in central Japan may also be affected.

Airlines and train services anticipate cancellations affecting holidaymakers travelling over the three-day weekend that includes Sports Day holiday on Monday.

The approaching typhoon is spreading fear especially in Chiba, near Tokyo, which was hit by Typhoon Faxai last month, and where many residents are still recovering from damage to their homes.

The typhoon tore many electrical poles and snapped cables, triggering extensive outages that lasted for weeks, contributing to heat illnesses and other health problems among elderly people.

The East Japan Railway Co said it may suspend services on most local lines and bullet trains around Tokyo before the typhoon arrives.

Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways said they may ground flights as early as Friday, depending on the typhoon’s movement.

Japan is regularly hit by Pacific storms, including Faxai in September. Typhoon Jebi flooded a terminal and a runway at Kansai International Airport last year.

Additional reporting by AP