TOKYO (AFP) - Japan's weather agency on Monday extended its highest storm alert to Okinawa's populous main island, warning of violent winds and high waves as super typhoon Neoguri barreled toward the southern island chain.

The highest typhoon warning means it poses a threat to life and could inflict massive damage from gusts up to 270kmh and torrential rain.

There are about 1.2 million residents on the main island. An earlier warning covered the Miyako Island region with a population of 53,000.