Mudslides and floods kill dozens in Japan

Extreme weather has brought back to Japan painful memories of its tsunami disaster, killing at least 25 people and causing widespread destruction.

More than 50 people were reported missing after torrential rain pounded the west of the country, triggering mudslides and flash floods.

It has put renewed pressure on authorities still struggling to cope with the effects of the devastating tsunami in March. It is also the first major challenge new prime minister Yoshihiko Noda.

He tried to reassure people that everything was being done to find the missing and help those left homeless by this latest catastrophe.

Typhoon Talas, which has now been downgraded, did most damage on the southwestern Kii peninsula. It is said to have been the worst storm of its kind to hit the country since 2004.

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