Japan braces for typhoon

TYPHOON Noru approached Japan’s main islands yesterday, lashing the southern part of the country with heavy rain and strong winds.

The powerful typhoon already buffeted Japan’s southern islands on Saturday, leaving two dead and nine missing, local broadcaster NHK reported.

The Japan Meteorological Agency yesterday warned of mudslides, flooding, high waves and swollen rivers on Kyushu and other southern islands. The typhoon carried maximum sustained winds of 126km/h, the agency said.