Heavy Rain Triggers Flooding, Mudslides, Missing in Southern Japan

Heavy rains caused severe flooding and mudslides across Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, resulting in injuries, missing persons, and widespread disruption during the Buddhist Obon holiday week. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued the highest-level warning for Kumamoto prefecture, where a family of three was caught in a mudslide; two were rescued, but one remains missing, with additional missing people reported in Kumamoto and neighboring Fukuoka prefecture after falling into swollen rivers. The low-pressure system lingering over the region also caused flooding and landslides in Kagoshima and other parts of Kyushu, prompting evacuation advisories for tens of thousands of residents across multiple prefectures. Rescue operations are ongoing, supported by the government, with Defense troops deployed to aid affected areas. The severe weather disrupted transportation, including the suspension of bullet train services, and caused power outages impacting thousands of households. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba urged residents to prioritize safety and exercise maximum caution as the region faces continued rainfall and emergency response efforts.