Storm Nabi batters north Japan

Most of Nabi's victims died in landslides

Tropical storm Nabi has lashed northern Japan, after causing at least 18 deaths across the country.

The storm brought winds of up to 90km/h (56mph) and severe rain to the northern island of Hokkaido on Thursday.

It hit Kyushu island as a typhoon on Tuesday, with winds of 126km/h (78mph), but weakened as it moved north.

Nabi bypassed Japan's main population centres but left floods and landslides behind it. It also brought flooding to parts of South Korea.

One person was missing after being swept away near Ulsan, 410km (255 miles) southeast of Seoul.

In Japan, nine people are missing and more than 140 injured.

Nearly 1,000 houses in the south and west of the country have been destroyed or damaged, and thousands have been flooded, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said.

Waves hit sea defences in Japan Enlarge Image

About 700 schools have been closed in Hokkaido and 1,700 homes suffered power cuts overnight - although electricity has now largely been restored, AP news agency reports.

The storm brought severe disruption to some of Japan's transport systems.

About 20,000 air passengers had their flights cancelled on Tuesday, and another 12,000 on Wednesday.

The storm came in the wake of Typhoon Talim, which battered Taiwan and China last week.