Typhoon Haishen slam Japan in a week unleashed fierce winds and rain on southern islands, blowing off rooftops and leaving homes without power. Warnings have been issued, days in advance, for people to be ready to take shelter and stock up on food and water.

Typhoon Haishen hits Japan with 112Mph winds, authorities urge to take utmost caution

Japan's ruling party will vote on September 14 on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's replacement, an official confirmed Wednesday, as powerful chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga consolidated his frontrunner status in the race.

A vote in parliament,&nbsp;expected to endorse the Liberal Democratic Party's new leader,&nbsp;is likely to follow on September 16.

The new prime minister will face a raft of challenges, from the coronavirus pandemic to a tanking economy, as well as ensuring the postponed Tokyo Olympic Games can go ahead.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/possible-successors-stack-up-as-japanese-prime-minister-shinzo-abe-resigns-323622">Possible successors stack up as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigns</a>

Key LDP factions have already thrown their support behind Suga, who is expected to formally announce his candidacy later Wednesday.

Two other candidates, former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba and LDP policy chief Fumio Kishida, have so far announced plans to stand.

Abe, Japan's longest-serving leader, kicked off the race when he said last week he would step down over health problems.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fumio-kishida-announces-candidacy-to-replace-japans-shinzo-abe-324437">Fumio Kishida announces candidacy to replace Japan's Shinzo Abe</a>

Scaled-back vote

The LDP has opted for a scaled-back leadership vote that will not include rank-and-file members.

Instead, only its MPs and three representatives from each of the country's 47 prefectures will vote.

The decision has elicited some criticism, but party officials said it would take too long to organise a broader vote.

Experts said the format favours Suga, 71, who has built an effectively insurmountable lead in the race already.

His selection "is increasingly assured, as the LDP's factions -– with the exception of the factions headed by rival candidates Shigeru Ishiba and Fumio Kishida -– have lined up behind Suga", said Tobias Harris, a Japan expert at Teneo consultancy, in a note.

Suga has held his key post for years -- coordinating policy among ministries and agencies, and serving as the effective face of the government as its chief spokesman.

Considered a pragmatic politician, he is a close Abe advisor who encouraged the prime minister to run again after a disastrous first term in office ended after just a year in 2007.

Rivals

Kishida, 63, a former foreign minister, was in the past considered Abe's favoured successor.

But the outgoing prime minister has said he will not endorse a candidate, and Kishida's limited public profile is likely to leave him struggling to challenge the likes of Suga.

On Wednesday, the policy chief said more was needed from Abe's signature economic stimulus programme, as it had primarily benefited big companies and the rich.

"Trickle-down effects are expected for the middle class, mid-sized and small-sized companies and for the countryside, but that's not happening yet," he argued in an interview with local media.

Ishiba, 63, polls well with the general public but is less popular among party members.

He once left the LDP -- spending time as both an independent and briefly joining another party -- and many within the ruling bloc have not forgiven the political dalliance.

Ishiba has also stressed the need for everyday people on lower incomes to benefit from government economic policies, and said Japan needs to reduce its reliance on nuclear power.

Japan's ruling party will vote on September 14 on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's replacement, an official confirmed Wednesday, as powerful chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga consolidated his frontrunner status in the race.

Japan's ruling party will vote on September 14 on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's replacement, an official confirmed Wednesday, as powerful chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga consolidated his frontrunner status in the race. A vote in parliament, expected to endorse the Liberal Democratic Party's new leader, is likely to follow on September 16. The new prime minister will face a raft of challenges, from the coronavirus pandemic to a tanking economy, as well as ensuring the postponed Tokyo Olympic Games can go ahead. Also see: Possible successors stack up as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigns Key LDP factions have already thrown their support behind Suga, who is expected to formally announce his candidacy later Wednesday. Two other candidates, former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba and LDP policy chief Fumio Kishida, have so far announced plans to stand. Abe, Japan's longest-serving leader, kicked off the race when he said last week he would step down over health problems. Also read: Fumio Kishida announces candidacy to replace Japan's Shinzo Abe Scaled-back vote The LDP has opted for a scaled-back leadership vote that will not include rank-and-file members. Instead, only its MPs and three representatives from each of the country's 47 prefectures will vote. The decision has elicited some criticism, but party officials said it would take too long to organise a broader vote. Experts said the format favours Suga, 71, who has built an effectively insurmountable lead in the race already. His selection "is increasingly assured, as the LDP's factions -– with the exception of the factions headed by rival candidates Shigeru Ishiba and Fumio Kishida -– have lined up behind Suga", said Tobias Harris, a Japan expert at Teneo consultancy, in a note. Suga has held his key post for years -- coordinating policy among ministries and agencies, and serving as the effective face of the government as its chief spokesman. Considered a pragmatic politician, he is a close Abe advisor who encouraged the prime minister to run again after a disastrous first term in office ended after just a year in 2007. Rivals Kishida, 63, a former foreign minister, was in the past considered Abe's favoured successor. But the outgoing prime minister has said he will not endorse a candidate, and Kishida's limited public profile is likely to leave him struggling to challenge the likes of Suga. On Wednesday, the policy chief said more was needed from Abe's signature economic stimulus programme, as it had primarily benefited big companies and the rich. "Trickle-down effects are expected for the middle class, mid-sized and small-sized companies and for the countryside, but that's not happening yet," he argued in an interview with local media. Ishiba, 63, polls well with the general public but is less popular among party members. He once left the LDP -- spending time as both an independent and briefly joining another party -- and many within the ruling bloc have not forgiven the political dalliance. Ishiba has also stressed the need for everyday people on lower incomes to benefit from government economic policies, and said Japan needs to reduce its reliance on nuclear power.

Japan's ruling party sets September 14 vote on PM Abe's successor

A Japanese company has finally built a car that managed to take off with a human sitting inside.Japan's SkyDrive Inc. has carried out a successful though modest test flight with a person sitting in the cabin of the car.

Japan flying car successfully carries out test flight, plans to launch flying taxis

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe`s signature shock-and-awe `Abenomics` stimulus strategy was already faltering even before his decision on Friday to step down due to health reasons.

That blunt assessment by many Japan observers underlined the daunting political challenge Abe has faced in his efforts to pull the economy out of decades of economic stagnation.

And the coronavirus crisis may have just put the final nail in the coffin to his `three arrows` reform programme as the economy sinks deeper into recession, analysts say.

After sweeping to power in late 2012, Abe deployed his three arrows of Abenomics - large-scale monetary easing, fiscal spending and structural reforms - to reignite the world`s third biggest economy after years of subpar growth and falling prices.

There were some quick-hit successes.

The Bank of Japan`s "bazooka" stimulus programme lifted business sentiment and helped weaken the yen, giving exporters windfall profits that trickled down to wages and new jobs.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-prime-minister-shinzo-abe-resigns-over-health-concerns-323582">Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigns over health concerns</a>

Corporate governance reforms drew in huge amounts of overseas money, pushing up foreign ownership of Japan`s listed stocks to a record 31.7% in 2014 from 28% in 2012. It stood at 29.6% in 2019.

"We were able to end 20 years of deflation with the three arrows of Abenomics," the prime minister told a news conference on Friday announcing his resignation, when asked what he thought were his legacies.

But Abe will leave behind a pile of unfinished business for his successor.

"The focus at the moment will be on the coronavirus recovery and controlling the infection, regardless of who will be the next prime minister," said Takeshi Minami, chief economist at Norinchukin Research Institute.

"There has been talk that Abenomics has been having a harmful impact, so I think the focal point will be on suggestions how to make changes to it."

The biggest disappointment for the prime minister, and many Japan observers, is that the third-arrow reforms to reshape an economy hobbled by low productivity, a rapidly ageing population and a rigid labour market, have proved elusive.

"Abenomics has singularly failed to deliver Japan the domestic conditions that would spark higher growth beyond more reliance on external demand," said Brian Kelly, Managing Partner at Asian Century Quest.

PAYING THE PRICE

Now, Japan is paying the price as COVID-19 wipes out the short-term benefits brought by Abenomics, such as an inbound tourism boom, reflated growth and rising job availability.

Abe`s failure to entice companies to spend more on capital expenditure has given Japan Inc a huge cash-pile that served as a liquidity buffer to weather the pandemic`s shock.

But the experience may give firms an excuse to keep hoarding cash rather than spend on new business opportunities, which could stifle innovation and weigh on Japan`s potential growth - factors Abe was focussed on addressing through the third arrow.

"COVID-19 may have reassured corporate executives that cash is indeed king," said Hideo Hayakawa, a senior fellow at the Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research. "My fear is that companies may feel even more inclined to save rather than spend."

Social distancing policies and other business constrains to contain the virus may cripple potential growth - already low due to slow progress in deregulating highly-protected medical and agriculture industries, and accepting more foreign workers to address chronic labour shortages.

Japan`s potential growth rate, which used to exceed 4% in the 1980s, slid near zero last year from around 1% before Abenomics began, according to BOJ estimates.

"Structural reform, or the third arrow, has been the declaring failure of Abenomics," said Samuel Tombs, chief U.K. economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics.

"Even the government`s signature immigration reform last year was much ado about nothing, in practice."

DEFLATIONARY MINDSET

COVID-19 also dashed a grand experiment of Abenomics that aimed to turn around Japan`s "deflationary mindset," in which companies and households hold off on spending on expectations that low growth and wages will persist.

The economy stumbled to a record contraction in the second quarter that shrank nominal gross domestic product (GDP) to 507 trillion yen ($4.8 trillion), around levels marked in 2013 and far distant from Abe`s 600-trillion-yen target.

"Japan`s economy may have performed better after Abenomics, but not enough to change public sentiment dramatically," said Yoshiki Shinke, chief economist at Dai-ichi Life Research Institute.

"With the pandemic, we`ll likely see growth fall further. With many legacies of Abenomics wiped out, we know now there was no magic wand to fix Japan`s chronic woes," he said.

Moreover, with the BOJ having exhausted its tool-kit to achieve its elusive 2% inflation target, policymakers face the challenge of seeking to revive the economy with a dearth of ammunition.

Japan`s huge debt also limits room for big fiscal spending, which may keep any economic recovery weak, analysts say.

"Japan failed to normalise monetary and fiscal policies when the economy was in better shape," said former BOJ board member Takahide Kiuchi. "Now, it`s paying the price." ($1 = 106.6900 yen) 
&nbsp;

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe`s signature shock-and-awe `Abenomics` stimulus strategy was already faltering even before his decision on Friday to step down due to health reasons.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe`s signature shock-and-awe `Abenomics` stimulus strategy was already faltering even before his decision on Friday to step down due to health reasons. That blunt assessment by many Japan observers underlined the daunting political challenge Abe has faced in his efforts to pull the economy out of decades of economic stagnation. And the coronavirus crisis may have just put the final nail in the coffin to his `three arrows` reform programme as the economy sinks deeper into recession, analysts say. After sweeping to power in late 2012, Abe deployed his three arrows of Abenomics - large-scale monetary easing, fiscal spending and structural reforms - to reignite the world`s third biggest economy after years of subpar growth and falling prices. There were some quick-hit successes. The Bank of Japan`s "bazooka" stimulus programme lifted business sentiment and helped weaken the yen, giving exporters windfall profits that trickled down to wages and new jobs. Also Read: Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigns over health concerns Corporate governance reforms drew in huge amounts of overseas money, pushing up foreign ownership of Japan`s listed stocks to a record 31.7% in 2014 from 28% in 2012. It stood at 29.6% in 2019. "We were able to end 20 years of deflation with the three arrows of Abenomics," the prime minister told a news conference on Friday announcing his resignation, when asked what he thought were his legacies. But Abe will leave behind a pile of unfinished business for his successor. "The focus at the moment will be on the coronavirus recovery and controlling the infection, regardless of who will be the next prime minister," said Takeshi Minami, chief economist at Norinchukin Research Institute. "There has been talk that Abenomics has been having a harmful impact, so I think the focal point will be on suggestions how to make changes to it." The biggest disappointment for the prime minister, and many Japan observers, is that the third-arrow reforms to reshape an economy hobbled by low productivity, a rapidly ageing population and a rigid labour market, have proved elusive. "Abenomics has singularly failed to deliver Japan the domestic conditions that would spark higher growth beyond more reliance on external demand," said Brian Kelly, Managing Partner at Asian Century Quest. PAYING THE PRICE Now, Japan is paying the price as COVID-19 wipes out the short-term benefits brought by Abenomics, such as an inbound tourism boom, reflated growth and rising job availability. Abe`s failure to entice companies to spend more on capital expenditure has given Japan Inc a huge cash-pile that served as a liquidity buffer to weather the pandemic`s shock. But the experience may give firms an excuse to keep hoarding cash rather than spend on new business opportunities, which could stifle innovation and weigh on Japan`s potential growth - factors Abe was focussed on addressing through the third arrow. "COVID-19 may have reassured corporate executives that cash is indeed king," said Hideo Hayakawa, a senior fellow at the Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research. "My fear is that companies may feel even more inclined to save rather than spend." Social distancing policies and other business constrains to contain the virus may cripple potential growth - already low due to slow progress in deregulating highly-protected medical and agriculture industries, and accepting more foreign workers to address chronic labour shortages. Japan`s potential growth rate, which used to exceed 4% in the 1980s, slid near zero last year from around 1% before Abenomics began, according to BOJ estimates. "Structural reform, or the third arrow, has been the declaring failure of Abenomics," said Samuel Tombs, chief U.K. economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics. "Even the government`s signature immigration reform last year was much ado about nothing, in practice." DEFLATIONARY MINDSET COVID-19 also dashed a grand experiment of Abenomics that aimed to turn around Japan`s "deflationary mindset," in which companies and households hold off on spending on expectations that low growth and wages will persist. The economy stumbled to a record contraction in the second quarter that shrank nominal gross domestic product (GDP) to 507 trillion yen ($4.8 trillion), around levels marked in 2013 and far distant from Abe`s 600-trillion-yen target. "Japan`s economy may have performed better after Abenomics, but not enough to change public sentiment dramatically," said Yoshiki Shinke, chief economist at Dai-ichi Life Research Institute. "With the pandemic, we`ll likely see growth fall further. With many legacies of Abenomics wiped out, we know now there was no magic wand to fix Japan`s chronic woes," he said. Moreover, with the BOJ having exhausted its tool-kit to achieve its elusive 2% inflation target, policymakers face the challenge of seeking to revive the economy with a dearth of ammunition. Japan`s huge debt also limits room for big fiscal spending, which may keep any economic recovery weak, analysts say. "Japan failed to normalise monetary and fiscal policies when the economy was in better shape," said former BOJ board member Takahide Kiuchi. "Now, it`s paying the price." ($1 = 106.6900 yen)

Abenomics fails to deliver as Japan braces for post-Abe era

Japan PM Shinzo Abe visited hospital twice within a week. Abe is suffering from incurable ulcerative coli. 2007 Bowel illness forced Abe to step down as PM. Shinzo Abe is Japan's longest serving PM.

Shinzo Abe returns to hospital after a week of 7 hr health check up

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who suffers from an inflammatory bowel disease, returned from a check-up at a Tokyo hospital

Shinzo Abe second hospital visit in a week | Japan PM | Shinzo Abe hospitalised

Visitors to Japan's amusements parks have been asked to keep their ''screams inside'' and ''adopt a&nbsp;serious'' face for their ride photo instead of screaming and howling&nbsp;to prevent to the spread of COVID-19 through droplets.

Limited football fans that have been allowed into stadiums this weekend have also been recommended&nbsp;to support their teams without singing, clapping or waving scarves.

When the Fuji-Q Highland theme park reopened on 1 June after a three-month closure due to the pandemic, it asked visitors to follow the recommendations of the amusement park association and not to shout or scream.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-changes-administrative-status-of-disputed-islands-china-dispatches-ships-307705">Japan changes administrative status of disputed islands, China dispatches ships</a>

However, when thrill seekers found it difficult to adhere to the recommendation, they lodged&nbsp;several complaints stating that were found it ''nearly impossible to stay quiet on the rides'', especially the&nbsp;two-kilometre-long Fujiyama rollercoaster, which reaches speeds of 130km/h and drops 70 metres at one point.

The rollercoaster was the fastest and tallest in the world when it opened in 1996. It was named after nearby Mount Fuji.

The park in response released a video of two stony-faced senior executives riding Fujiyama without uttering a peep, urging visitors to imitate them.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PMm5QVZ6QeY" width="560"></iframe>

Fuji-Q also went ahead and launched a #Mao serious face challenge to encourage customers to follow the recommendations and also win a chance to get get free tickets to the amusement park.

The visitors posted their entries on social network site Twitter.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
今日は夫婦で心の中で絶叫❗️いろんな疲れやストレスが吹っ飛びました。 
FUJIYAMAよ…またいつか会いに行くから、待っててね❗️ 
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E7%9C%9F%E9%A1%94%E3%83%81%E3%83%A3%E3%83%AC%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B8?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#真顔チャレンジ</a> <a href="https://t.co/qY84W2D4jg">pic.twitter.com/qY84W2D4jg</a>
— はると (@E2MMiCmqSNMrDxR) <a href="https://twitter.com/E2MMiCmqSNMrDxR/status/1279700714743230465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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カメラ向こうか正面向くか迷った末のカメラ目線 
FUJIYAMA4回も乗れたしめっちゃ楽しかった！！<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E7%9C%9F%E9%A1%94%E3%83%81%E3%83%A3%E3%83%AC%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B8?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#真顔チャレンジ</a> <a href="https://t.co/dM2qabGp8M">pic.twitter.com/dM2qabGp8M</a>
— なおっきー (@ike_naokki) <a href="https://twitter.com/ike_naokki/status/1277563784907780096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Visitors to Japan's amusements parks have been asked to keep their ''screams inside'' and ''adopt a serious'' face for their ride photo instead of screaming and howling to prevent to the spread of COVID-19 through droplets.

Visitors to Japan's amusements parks have been asked to keep their ''screams inside'' and ''adopt a serious'' face for their ride photo instead of screaming and howling to prevent to the spread of COVID-19 through droplets. Limited football fans that have been allowed into stadiums this weekend have also been recommended to support their teams without singing, clapping or waving scarves. When the Fuji-Q Highland theme park reopened on 1 June after a three-month closure due to the pandemic, it asked visitors to follow the recommendations of the amusement park association and not to shout or scream. Also read: Japan changes administrative status of disputed islands, China dispatches ships However, when thrill seekers found it difficult to adhere to the recommendation, they lodged several complaints stating that were found it ''nearly impossible to stay quiet on the rides'', especially the two-kilometre-long Fujiyama rollercoaster, which reaches speeds of 130km/h and drops 70 metres at one point. The rollercoaster was the fastest and tallest in the world when it opened in 1996. It was named after nearby Mount Fuji. The park in response released a video of two stony-faced senior executives riding Fujiyama without uttering a peep, urging visitors to imitate them. Fuji-Q also went ahead and launched a #Mao serious face challenge to encourage customers to follow the recommendations and also win a chance to get get free tickets to the amusement park. The visitors posted their entries on social network site Twitter. 今日は夫婦で心の中で絶叫❗️いろんな疲れやストレスが吹っ飛びました。 FUJIYAMAよ…またいつか会いに行くから、待っててね❗️ #真顔チャレンジ pic.twitter.com/qY84W2D4jg — はると (@E2MMiCmqSNMrDxR) July 5, 2020 × カメラ向こうか正面向くか迷った末のカメラ目線 FUJIYAMA4回も乗れたしめっちゃ楽しかった！！#真顔チャレンジ pic.twitter.com/dM2qabGp8M — なおっきー (@ike_naokki) June 29, 2020 ×

Japan: Theme parks instruct riders to keep their 'screams inside' and be 'serious'

Emergency services in western Japan were "racing against time" Tuesday to rescue people stranded by devastating floods and landslides that have killed at least 52, as the country braced for more torrential downpours.

Japan's Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued its second-highest emergency warning for heavy rain and landslides over vast swathes of the country's southwest and said "risks are rising" nationwide.

Television footage showed swollen rivers breaking their banks and sweeping away bridges while landslides destroyed roads and buried houses, complicating access for the 80,000 rescue personnel battling to save lives.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/torrential-rains-trigger-floods-landslide-in-southern-islands-of-japan-310773/amp/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

At least 52&nbsp;deaths have been confirmed in the rains that began early Saturday, top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said, but the toll is expected to rise, with four more feared dead and over a dozen reported missing.

He warned that more heavy rain was forecast over the next two days, saying: "Even a small amount of rainfall could cause a disaster. I would like people to be on full alert against landslides and floods."

In the hardest-hit region of Kumamoto, on the southwest tip of Japan, disaster management official Yutaro Hamasaki said: "We are racing against time."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pictures%3A-battling-the-deadly-japan-floods--149908">In pictures: Battling the deadly Japan floods</a>

"We have not set any deadline or time to end the operation, but we really need to speed up our search as time is running out. We won't give up to the end," Hamasaki said.

Fourteen of the dead were wheelchair-bound residents of a nursing home unable to escape to higher ground as the waters rose.

A rescue worker who searched the facility told NHK: "The ground floor was filled with water and we couldn't get into it. Some people managed to evacuate to the first floor. I've never experienced anything like this in my life."

Further complicating evacuation efforts was the fear of spreading the coronavirus.

Japan has been relatively lightly affected by the pandemic, with just under 20,000 cases and fewer than 1,000 deaths.

But the need to maintain social distancing has reduced capacity at evacuation shelters.

The disaster has also compounded problems for businesses already hard hit by the pandemic.

Japan is in the middle of its annual rainy season, which frequently unleashes deadly floods and landslides. Climate change has intensified the risks of heavy rains, because a warmer atmosphere holds more water.

In 2018, more than 200 people died in devastating floods in the same region of Japan.

Emergency services in western Japan were "racing against time" Tuesday to rescue people stranded by devastating floods and landslides that have killed at least 52, as the country braced for more torrential downpours.

Emergency services in western Japan were "racing against time" Tuesday to rescue people stranded by devastating floods and landslides that have killed at least 52, as the country braced for more torrential downpours. Japan's Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued its second-highest emergency warning for heavy rain and landslides over vast swathes of the country's southwest and said "risks are rising" nationwide. Television footage showed swollen rivers breaking their banks and sweeping away bridges while landslides destroyed roads and buried houses, complicating access for the 80,000 rescue personnel battling to save lives. At least 52 deaths have been confirmed in the rains that began early Saturday, top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said, but the toll is expected to rise, with four more feared dead and over a dozen reported missing. He warned that more heavy rain was forecast over the next two days, saying: "Even a small amount of rainfall could cause a disaster. I would like people to be on full alert against landslides and floods." In the hardest-hit region of Kumamoto, on the southwest tip of Japan, disaster management official Yutaro Hamasaki said: "We are racing against time." In pictures: Battling the deadly Japan floods "We have not set any deadline or time to end the operation, but we really need to speed up our search as time is running out. We won't give up to the end," Hamasaki said. Fourteen of the dead were wheelchair-bound residents of a nursing home unable to escape to higher ground as the waters rose. A rescue worker who searched the facility told NHK: "The ground floor was filled with water and we couldn't get into it. Some people managed to evacuate to the first floor. I've never experienced anything like this in my life." Further complicating evacuation efforts was the fear of spreading the coronavirus. Japan has been relatively lightly affected by the pandemic, with just under 20,000 cases and fewer than 1,000 deaths. But the need to maintain social distancing has reduced capacity at evacuation shelters. The disaster has also compounded problems for businesses already hard hit by the pandemic. Japan is in the middle of its annual rainy season, which frequently unleashes deadly floods and landslides. Climate change has intensified the risks of heavy rains, because a warmer atmosphere holds more water. In 2018, more than 200 people died in devastating floods in the same region of Japan.

Japan : Atleast 52 dead in floods and landslides as rescuers 'race against time'

Large areas along the Kuma river were swallowed by floodwaters, with many houses, buildings and vehicles submerged almost up to their roofs.

At least 34 killed as floods batter Japan

The decline followed a 13.9% drop in April, which was the biggest fall since March 1998

May retail sales fell sharply in Japan

As Japan's restaurants and bars slowly open up from a coronavirus lockdown, many are looking to reassure the public that dining out is safe again and one Japanese-style izakaya pub thinks it has found the perfect solution.

New normal? Japanese pub disinfects customers with spray machine

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday evening justified extending the state of emergency nationwide until May 31

Japan extends state of emergency till May 31

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