Two Rugby World Cup matches have been cancelled in Japan as the country prepares to be hit by a super typhoon with the potential to cause widespread damage from torrential rains and high winds.

Typhoon Hagibis – which means “speed” in Filipino – had sustained speeds of 270kmh (168mph) early on Thursday along with stronger gusts – making it the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane.

Speeds are expected to fall before it makes landfall in the Tokyo region over the weekend.

Large areas of Japan’s central Pacific coast may see torrential rains beginning on Friday and worsening on Saturday while high waves and tides may cause flooding, according to forecasts.

The Japan Meteorological Agency urged people to take precautions to avoid potentially life-threatening danger.

Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Show all 45 1 /45 Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 The tournament takes place in Japan AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 France's players attends a training session at the Fuji Hokuroku Park AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Japanese children perform the Haka AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Ireland's Rhys Ruddock attends a gym training session AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan's wing Kotaro Matsushima is tackled by Russia's centre Vladimir Ostroushko AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Former New Zealand international Richie McCaw holds the Rugby World Cup trophy during the tournament's opening ceremony AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan fans cheer on their team AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 An Argentina fan wearing a mask with an image of football player Lionel Messi AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 France supporters kiss outside the Tokyo Stadium AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A France supporter dressed as Obelix AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A France fan reacts AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Australia's hooker Silatolu Latu is tackled AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A France fan reacts AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A France fan waits AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Argentina's centre Jeronimo de la Fuente (C) is tackled by France's wing Yoann Huget AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 New Zealand's players perform the Haka AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 New Zealand's players perform the Haka AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan's players bow AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 New Zealand's scrum-half TJ Perenara (L) and full back Ben Smith interact with fans AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Fans await the start of a game AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Ireland's wing Jacob Stockdale (2nd R) runs with the ball AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 England's centre Manu Tuilagi scores a try AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 England supporters attend a match AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A dog with ears coloured in pink AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A Wales supporters laughs outside the City of Toyota Stadium AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A US fan wears shows his support for the Eagles against England. 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AFP/Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 The setting sun cuts through clouds AFP via Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Argentina's full back Joaquin Tuculet celebrates AFP via Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Scotland fans await the start AFP via Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A US supporter waves the US flag AFP via Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 France's flanker Charles Ollivon catches the ball AFP via Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A France supporter poses with a woman dressed as a geisha AFP via Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 New Zealand's scrum-half TJ Perenara scores a try AFP via Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Argentina supporters AFP via Getty Images Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Tournament director Alan Gilpin speaks to the media Getty

Rugby World Cup organisers have already cancelled two games which were to be played on Saturday as a result – England vs France in Yokohama, and New Zealand vs Italy in Toyoda.

Cancelled matches will be recorded as a scoreless draw, with each team receiving two points. As a result, England will top their group.

England head coach Eddie Jones said the team was disappointed, but the decision not to play was the right one.

A marathon going through in Sendai and other northern coastal towns has also been cancelled, and Formula One racing in Suzuka in central Japan may also be affected.

Airlines and train services anticipate cancellations affecting holidaymakers travelling over the three-day weekend that includes Sports Day holiday on Monday.

The approaching typhoon is spreading fear especially in Chiba, near Tokyo, which was hit by Typhoon Faxai last month, and where many residents are still recovering from damage to their homes.

The typhoon tore many electrical poles and snapped cables, triggering extensive outages that lasted for weeks, contributing to heat illnesses and other health problems among elderly people.

The East Japan Railway Co said it may suspend services on most local lines and bullet trains around Tokyo before the typhoon arrives.

Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways said they may ground flights as early as Friday, depending on the typhoon’s movement.

Japan is regularly hit by Pacific storms, including Faxai in September. Typhoon Jebi flooded a terminal and a runway at Kansai International Airport last year.