Typhoons in Japan

Nearly four million people in southern Japan have been urged to evacuate their areas as Typhoon Shanshan hit the country on Thursday, causing disruptions, destruction, and loss of life.

Japan warned Wednesday that an "extremely strong" typhoon bearing down on the main southern island of Kyushu would bring unusually violent storms, as three people remained missing after a landslide.

Power cut in Taipei - Flights suspended in Okinawa - Tsunami warning issued in Japan

Japanese rescuers scrambled to search for survivors Wednesday as authorities warned of landslides and heavy rain after a powerful earthquake that killed at least 62 people.

The 7.5-magnitude quake on January 1 that rattled Ishikawa prefecture on the main island of Honshu triggered tsunami waves more than a metre high, sparked a major fire and tore apart roads.

Almost half a million people in southwestern Japan have been ordered to evacuate because of the risk of flooding and mudslides following heavy rains, NHK TV reported.