With some parts of the country experiencing record levels of rainfall, Japan has broadened its highest level of risk alerts to cover more than 1 million people. One area recorded 408 mm (15.7 inches) of rain in the 72 hours to Saturday morning.
Japan's meteorological service has put three prefectures and the city of Hiroshima, on highest possible emergency alert, which means it’s too late to evacuate elsewhere, as torrential rains caused flooding and mudslides.
Authorities issued fresh alerts in Hiroshima and Kyushu with more heavy rain forecast over the next few days. The downpour has already triggered a mudslide near Nagasaki.