Tropical storm Shanshan is expected to come close to Tokyo's remote Ogasawara island chain in the western Pacific on Sunday. Shanshan is likely to approach western and eastern Japan next week, while gaining strength.

The Japan Meteorological Agency says a tropical depression developed into the tropical storm near the Mariana Islands at 3 a.m. Japan Time, on Thursday.

Shanshan is expected to move slowly northwest before getting close to the Ogasawara Islands.

Officials are calling on people to stay updated on the latest weather information.