Deadly Typhoon hits Japan

Heavy downpours from Typhoon Talas swamp a residential area in Kiho, central Japan / AP

A typhoon has pummelled western Japan leaving at least 20 people dead and more than 50 missing after swollen rivers swept away buildings and landslides crushed houses.

Typhoon Talas, which made landfall on Saturday and is one of the deadliest in recent years, packed gusts of up to 108km/h as it cut across the island of Shikoku and the main island of Honshu.

The Government set up an emergency task force as the number of victims looked set to grow and landslides and damaged roads hampered relief efforts.

In Wakayama prefecture, 12 people were killed and 29 were missing.

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