Japanese residents are bracing for the arrival of Typhoon Talas, a major storm expected to bring extended periods of rain and strong winds to many parts of the country.

The Japan Meteorological Society said Friday that the large, slow-moving storm is expected to cross over the western and central parts of Japan on Friday and Saturday.

Forecasters say the typhoon has wind speeds of up to 180 kilometers per hour. The storm is moving at a speed of 10 kilometers per hour.

The outer bands of the storm were already making landfall in some parts of the country on Friday.

Northeastern Japan is at particular risk for heavy rains. The area is still recovering from an earthquake and tsunami on March 11.