The Gulf Livestock 1 sent a distress call to south-western Japan from the west of Amami Oshima Island. Strong Typhoon Maysak winds and rains disrupted relief operations as the storm went on to drench the Korean peninsula.
A coastguard spokeswoman said one person was rescued during ship search on Wednesday night.
The rescued Filipino crew member stated that engine of the ship failed before it was hit by a wave and capsized.
On August 14, with 5,867 cattle and 43 crew members on board, the Gulf Livestock 1 departed Napier in New Zealand, bound for Port of Jingtang in Tangshan, China. New Zealand's foreign ministry told Reuters that the journey was expected to take about 17 days.
The crew comprised 39 Philippine citizens, two from New Zealand and two from Australia.
The 139-meter, Panamanian-flagged vessel was constructed in 2002 and the registered owner is Rahmeh Compania Naviera SA based in Amman. The Manager of the ship is Hijazi & Ghosheh Co.
New Zealand animal rights organisation, SAFE, stated that the tragedy showed the dangers of transporting live animals.
Maritime Business World