Three people are reported to have died as heavy rains pound south-western Japan
Authorities have asked almost one million people to evacuate, warning “unprecedented” levels of rainfall could cause the flooding of rivers, trigger landslides and submerge houses.
“It is a situation where you should do your best to protect your lives,” the weather agency said.
Japan’s southern island of Kyushu has seen weeks of heavy winds and rain.
Authorities there had initially issued a level five warning – the highest – and advised more than 800,000 people to leave their homes.
Two people are reported to have been drowned in their cars while another man was swept away while escaping from his trapped car.