Tropical storm Neoguri hits Japan’s main islands

TOKYO (AP) — A major storm is dumping heavy rain on western Japan after sweeping through the southern islands of Okinawa.

Tropical storm Neoguri reached the southernmost main island of Kyushu Thursday morning, and it’s forecast to travel up the Pacific coast of Japan to major cities including Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo.

Neoguri hit Okinawa Tuesday at typhoon strength, causing extensive flooding, knocking out power and injuring at least 32 people before losing strength Wednesday.

Japanese media say that in central Japan, heavy rain from the storm has caused floods and landslides, killing two people. In Fukushima, an 83-year-old man fell into a swollen river and died, while a landslide hit a town in Nagano prefecture, killing a 12-year-old boy.

Rainfall could trigger more landslides and floods, and much of eastern Japan is at risk of lightning and tornadoes.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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