( CNN ) -- A large super typhoon is gathering force as it barrels along a path that is expected to take it close to the Japanese island of Okinawa . By the time it nears Okinawa early Tuesday , Super Typhoon Neoguri is likely to be generating winds as strong as a Category 5 hurricane , meteorologists say . `` This is a beast , '' said CNN International Meteorologist Tom Sater . Okinawa , where multiple U.S. military facilities are situated , regularly finds itself in the path of big typhoons . Many of the buildings on the island are designed to weather the powerful winds that come roaring in off the Western Pacific . Based on current predictions , Neoguri is expected to pass to the west of Okinawa , sparing the island its full fury . `` It 'll brush Okinawa -- maybe Category 1 , Category 2 winds , '' Sater said . `` But they 're ready for that . '' Most powerful in 15 years . Authorities at Kadena Air Base , the largest U.S. military installation in the Asia-Pacific region , are n't taking any chances . `` I ca n't stress enough how dangerous this typhoon may be when it hits Okinawa , '' Brig . Gen. James Hecker , the Commander of the 18th Wing , said Sunday on the base 's Facebook page . `` This is the most powerful typhoon forecast to hit the island in 15 years . '' He advised those on the base to secure outdoor items and prepare supplies . `` This is not just another typhoon , '' Hecker said . `` If we all follow the typhoon procedures and take care of each other , we will all make it through this typhoon safely . '' The Joint Typhoon Warning Center projects that by Tuesday , Neoguri could be producing sustained winds as strong as 165 mph ( 265 kph ) with gusts as powerful as 200 mph ( 320 kph ) . It could stir up waves as high as 39 feet ( 12 meters ) , the center predicted . The Japan Meteorological Agency on Monday issued an emergency warning for the region around Miyako Jima , a small Japanese island that lies between Okinawa and Taiwan . The agency warned of high waves and a storm surge . Seen from space . Astronaut Reid Wiseman in the International Space Center tweeted a dramatic photo over the weekend of the typhoon viewed from above , showing vast bands of cloud spiraling out from its center . `` # Typhoon Neoguri nearing Japan . Takes up our entire view . Wow , '' he wrote . After passing near Okinawa , the typhoon is expected to weaken somewhat as it moves on toward the Japanese mainland . But it could still be producing strong winds late Wednesday when it 's forecast to hit Kyushu , the southernmost of Japan 's main islands . `` It 's still going to really pack a punch , '' Sater said . `` This is a massive storm . '' The typhoon is also expected to bring torrential rains with it to Kyushu . `` They 've already had heavy amounts of rainfall in the past 24 hours , '' Sater said . `` So a saturated ground with a system moving in is going to cause some issues . '' Each summer and autumn , heavy storms roll in from the Western Pacific , often causing damage in East Asian countries such as the Philippines , China and Japan . Tacloban in pictures : After Typhoon Haiyan and six months later . CNN 's Will Ripley contributed to this report .
NEW : Japan 's weather agency issues an emergency warning for remote island area . ` ` This is a beast , '' says CNN International correspondent Michael Sater . It 's forecast to pass south of Okinawa on Tuesday , sparing the islands its strongest winds . But Japanese military officials warn the storm is very dangerous and order personnel to prepare .