Heavy rain hits western Japan

Heavy rain is hitting the Kyushu region in Western Japan. Weather officials are warning of more downpours through Saturday, increasing the chances of landslides and other disasters. Landslide warnings are in place for some parts of Oita, Saga and Fukuoka prefectures.

Weather officials say atmospheric conditions will continue to be unstable in much of Japan through Saturday, particularly along the Sea of Japan coast, with hourly rainfall of more than 80 millimeters and lightning in some places.

Heavy rain is also forecast in the Hokuriku and Chugoku regions along the Sea of Japan coast. Weather officials are warning of landslides, flooding of low-lying land, swollen rivers as well as lightning strikes and wind gusts, including tornadoes.