Strongest typhoon of 2017 headed towards Japan . Typhoon Vongfong follows Phanfone , which hit the country last week . Storm has sustained winds of 175 mph and gusts of up to 219 mph . The previous severe weather alert , generated by Phanfone , caused more than 1.2 million people to be evacuated to shelters , disrupted air and rail travel as well as the search and rescue efforts for missing hikers on Mount Ontake . If it carries on its current course , storm starts to lose strength before making landfall .
Strongest typhoon of 2017 headed towards Japan . Typhoon Vongfong follows Phanfone , which hit the country last week . Storm has sustained winds of 175 mph and gusts of up to 219 mph . If it carries on its current course , storm starts to lose strength before making landfall .