Warm and humid air is causing heavy rains after Typhoon Kong-rey, which has now been downgraded to a tropical depression, according to the Meteorological Institute. For the city of Matsuyama, an alert of the highest level has been issued, and about 190,000 residents are asked to immediately take shelter.
The risk of mudslides and flooding applies in western Japan on Saturday and in eastern Japan on Sunday. Train services between Tokyo and the Fukuoka region in the south have been suspended.
Kong-rey moved in over Taiwan on Thursday. At least two fatalities have been reported.