japan’s government said at least 134 people have been confirmed dead from the heavy rains, floods and mudslides that have struck western Japan. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference on Tuesday that seven others were without vital signs, and more than 50 people were unaccounted for, many of them in the hardest-hit Hiroshima area.
Rescuers are combing through mud-covered hillsides and near riverbanks to look for dozens still missing after several days of heavy rainfall set off flooding and landslides in a widespread area, including Hiroshima, Okayama and Ehime prefectures. All rain warnings were lifted. People who have evacuated their homes have since returned and started cleanup.
