More than 100 die in record floods in Japan

At least 100 people have died in Japan as record rainfall caused flooding and landslides in western Japan, according to news reports.

Since Thursday, July 5, parts of western Japan have received three times the usual rainfall for the whole of July. Two million people have been ordered to evacuate as rivers burst their banks, according to the BBC.

In the town of Motoyama, on Shikoku island, 583mm (23in) of rain fell between Friday morning and Saturday morning.

Further rain warnings are in effect, with more than 250mm predicted to fall in some areas by Monday.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe cancelled an overseas trip because of the disaster, Reuters reported. The trip would have taken him to Belgium, France, Saudi Arabia and Egypt from Wednesday.

Nearly 13,000 customers had no electricity, power companies said on Monday, while hundreds of thousands had no water.

The death toll reached at least 110 after floodwaters forced several million from their homes, NHK public television said, the worst flood disaster since 117 people were killed in heavy rains in 1983.

Industry operations have also been hit, with Mazda Motor saying it was forced to close its head office in Hiroshima on Monday.

The automaker, which suspended operations at several plants last week, said the halt would continue at two plants until Tuesday because it cannot receive components, although both units were undamaged.

Daihatsu, which suspended production on Friday at up to four plants, said they would run the second evening shift on Monday.

Electronics maker Panasonic said operations at one plant remained suspended after the first floor was flooded.

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