At least eight people have died as record rainfall pummelled eastern Japan and left thousands stranded at Tokyo’s Narita Airport.
The rains, which authorities have described as “unprecedented”, cut power to more than 20,000 households in Chiba prefecture.
Local authorities issued a level five emergency warning, its highest alert, on Thursday. This was downgraded to a level four by Friday morning, but they continue to warn of landslide and flooding risks.
The deluge comes after a series of storms swept through Japan and neighbouring countries this week, in what meteorologists forecast to be an unusually active typhoon season.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency said the most recent deluge was brought by warm, humid air flowing into the country’s east that combined with cold air above to make atmospheric conditions extremely unstable.
