RECORD RAINFALL IN JAPAN KILLS FOUR, STRANDS THOUSANDS AT NARITA

Record rainfall killed at least four people and stranded thousands of travellers in Japan's Chiba prefecture on Friday during one of the country's busiest holiday weeks. Areas of Chiba recorded more than 360mm of rain in 24 hours, flooding roads and rail lines. The deaths included a man in his 60s or 70s found floating on a flooded road and a 66-year-old woman trapped in her submerged car, according to the Chiba Prefecture Disaster Management Office. A fifth person was feared dead and a sixth unaccounted for. Soldiers were dispatched to assist with relief efforts.

The flooding disrupted transport across the region during Japan's Bon Buddhist holiday week. One report indicated that approximately 4,000 people were evacuated from Soga train station after being stranded for hours, whilst another stated around 7,000 people were stranded at Narita airport serving Tokyo. Power cuts affected between 22,000 and nearly 25,000 households, with more than 230,000 people advised to take shelter. Approximately 80 homes experienced flooding. Hundreds of people took shelter overnight at the Chiba prefectural government building.

Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai told reporters on Friday morning that the situation was "extremely unusual". Train services partially resumed Friday morning with delays, whilst flights in and out of Narita were operating normally, though some delays were expected. Japan Airlines said no flight cancellations were currently anticipated as the holiday week drew to a close.