Authorities in Japan now say at least 100 people have been killed in mudslides caused by three days of torrential rainfall in southwestern Japan. More than 65 others remain missing as rescue crews continue a desperate search for survivors -- and more victims -- through the rubble and debris in affected villages across western and central Japan.
The Meteorological Agency issued rare "emergency warnings" after "historic" rains across the region led to rising rivers and landslides.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said 73,000 troops and emergency workers are taking part in the rescue effort. The disaster has forced Abe to cancelled plans to travel to Belgium, France, Saudi Arabia and Egypt later this week.
Officials said more than 26.3 centimeters of rain fell within three hours in Kochi prefecture, the most since such record-keeping began in 1976.
More than 1.3 million people have been orders to evacuate their homes. Another 3.1 million were put on high alert, being warned they may also have to evacuate.
Television footage showed a wooden bridge being swept away by a swollen river in Hiroshima and victims being airlifted into a helicopter from houses in a flooded area.
Manufacturing giants like Mitsubishi and Mazda were forced to halt operations in some plants, as the flood disrupted supply chains and risked workers' safety.
Saturday evening, a powerful earthquake struck south of the Japanese capital of Tokyo, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The 5.9-magnitude temblor caused some buildings in the city to shake, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
日本当局表示，西南部三天的大雨引发的泥石流至少导致100人丧生，超过65人依然失踪。救援人员继续在西部和中部地区受灾村庄的废墟里急切地寻找幸存者，并找到了更多的遇难者。
在历史性暴雨导致江河泛滥和泥石流之后，气象局罕见地发出了紧急警告。
首相安倍晋三说，7万3千名军人和急救人员正在参与救援行动。这场灾难迫使安倍取消了原本这个星期前往比利时、法国、沙特阿拉伯和埃及访问的计划。
官员们说，高知县三小时内的降雨量超过26.3厘米，是自从1976年开始收集有关资料以来降雨量最多的一次。
超过130万人被下令撤离自己的住宅，另外310万人被告知他们也可能不得不撤退。
电视画面显示广岛一条水位上涨的河流卷走了一座木桥，当局用直升机将灾民运送到安全地带。
三菱和马自达等大型企业的一些工厂被迫停业，因为洪水阻断了供应链，威胁到工人的人身安全。
美国地质勘查局说，星期六晚间，日本首都东京以南发生5.9级强震，导致东京的一些建筑物摇晃，但没有立即传出财产损失或人员受伤的报道。