This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Japan that the Japan Meteorological Agency has issued an alert for a typhoon that as of 7 p.m. local time on Thursday, September 11 will be located approximately 300 miles south-southwest of Okinawa.

The Category 4 storm is moving north at 5 mph with maximum sustained winds of 130-135 mph. Typhoon Sinlaku is forecast to pass to the west of Okinawa’s main island on Saturday night and Sunday as a Category 4 storm before proceeding toward Kagoshima, Japan. At the height of the storm, Okinawa is expected to receive sustained winds of 35 knots, gusting to 50 knots, with at least 2–3 inches of rain.

The U.S. Embassy Tokyo and the U.S. Consulate General Naha (Okinawa, Japan) will continue to monitor Typhoon Sinlaku’s track, and will issue updated messages as warranted. U.S. citizens are urged to locate shelter, monitor media reports, and follow all official instructions. U.S. citizens should carry their travel documents at all time (i.e. U.S. Passport, Birth Certificate, picture ID’s, etc.) or secure them in safe, waterproof locations. We also suggest that American citizens contact friends and family in the United States with updates about their whereabouts.

Additional information on hurricanes and storm preparedness may be found in the "Hurricane Season - Know Before You Go" pamphlet, and on the "Natural Disasters" page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.

Updated information on travel in Japan may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada, or from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8 am to 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

For updates on Typhoon Sinlaku monitor the Japan Meteorological Agency website. For further information please consult the Country Specific Information Sheet for Japan, available online through http://travel.state.gov.

For any emergencies involving American citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of either the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo or one of the U.S. Consulates in Japan.