Torrential rain lashed areas across southwestern and central Japan on Wednesday, prompting local governments to instruct around 870,000 people to evacuate.
The Meteorological Agency urged the public to remain vigilant against mudslides and flooding, even as it downgraded its alert for heavy rain from the highest level in more than 20 municipalities in Gifu and Nagano prefectures.
As of Wednesday afternoon, around 876,000 people in six prefectures were instructed to evacuate, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.