Tokyo: Most parts of Japan are facing widespread impact of a slow-moving tropical storm. The storm has caused heavy rains around Tokyo. Roads and riverside areas in southern Japan have been submerged. Floods have been reported in many areas of Kanagawa Prefecture, west of Tokyo, where roads were blocked and traffic was disrupted. A warning has been issued for heavy rain and landslide danger in Tokyo, Kanagawa and neighboring Shizuoka Prefecture. 

such were the circumstances

Footage broadcast by state channel NHK showed muddy water flowing along the Meguro River, one of the popular cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo, with the river's water level well above normal. Footage showed more than 12 cars parked in a parking lot in Hiratsuka city half-submerged and a pedestrian wading through knee-deep water. In Ninomiya, another city in Kanagawa, river water overflowed onto roads, leaving vehicles stranded. 

the risk of disaster increases

Typhoon 'Shanshan' hit the southern main island of Kyushu on Thursday morning. It was quite powerful at that time but gradually weakened later. However, its forward speed is quite slow and on Friday morning it was active only a short distance from the northeastern coast of Kyushu. Experts say that due to the slow speed of the storm, the amount and duration of rain increases, which creates the risk of disaster. 

What the Japan Meteorological Agency said

The Japan Meteorological Agency said Shanshan was moving east toward the main islands of Shikoku and Honshu with winds of up to 72 kilometers per hour, but its forward speed was just 10 kilometers per hour. The agency forecast up to 30 centimeters of rain in Shikoku and central Japan and up to 15 centimeters in Tokyo and surrounding prefectures over the next 24 hours until Saturday noon. 

showing widespread impact

About 80 people were reported injured in the Kyushu region. Most of the injured were from Miyazaki and Kagoshima. Apart from this, two people are missing. Hundreds of domestic flights connecting southwestern cities have been canceled. Shinkansen bullet train service between Tokso and Osaka was halted on Friday. Postal and goods delivery services have been suspended. Supermarkets and other shops have been closed in the southwestern regions of Kyushu and Shikoku. Automobile manufacturers including 'Toyota Motor Corporation' and 'Mazda Motor Corporation' closed their factories in the affected areas until Friday. (AP)