Typhoon kills nine in south Japan

Typhoon Shanshan made landfall late on Friday, causing torrential rains over the weekend that triggered flash floods and landslides.

It has now weakened to a tropical storm and is heading out to sea.

But high winds are still affecting the south-west of the country, delaying transport services.

Typhoon Shanshan caused its most serious damage in the regions of Kyushu and Chugoku.

According to Kyodo news agency, a 50-year-old volunteer firefighter in the city of Hiroshima was one of the nine people now known have died.

Ferry toppled

Japan's Coast Guard told the Associated Press on Monday that at another victim was a man killed when an empty car ferry overturned near the city of Saiki.

At least 260 other people have been injured, according to Japanese media.

The high winds caused by the typhoon overturned cars, derailed an express train and temporarily knocked out electricity in tens of thousands of homes.

They also forced the cancellation of nearly 80 flights and caused delays in the high-speed bullet train service, according to NHK television.

The typhoon has now weakened, but according to Japan's Meteorological Agency, the danger is not quite over.

Heavy rains are expected to continue in central and northern Japan until Tuesday morning, and high waves are thought likely to hit the Sea of Japan coastline.

The agency also said the storm may make landfall on the northern island of Hokkaido on Tuesday, and warned people living there to prepare for strong winds.