ANKARA

A strong typhoon forecast to hit eastern Japan starting Tuesday could disrupt train service in the region, local media said on Saturday.

Typhoon Shanshan is expected to move north toward the Japanese Pacific coast while strengthening in force due to high sea temperatures, although its path is still hard to predict, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported, citing the Japan Meteorological Agency.

According to the agency, the typhoon was located around the Ogasawara Islands on Saturday, moving northward at a speed of 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) per hour.

Rail authorities said if the typhoon arrives, it would disrupt and suspend train service in the region.

Last week, the powerful Typhoon Ampil also struck Japan, severely disrupting summer travel and battering the capital, Tokyo, with intense winds and rain.

The typhoon caused major disruptions to transportation systems, including railways as Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways canceled around 650 flights to and from Tokyo's Haneda and Narita airports, affecting approximately 120,000 passengers.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid