Heavy rain falls along Japan's Pacific coast

Unstable atmospheric conditions are affecting areas along the Pacific coast from eastern to western Japan on Wednesday, bringing heavy rain to some areas. Authorities are warning there's a risk of landslides.

The Japan Meteorological Agency says warm and wet air flowing into an autumn rain front is contributing to the unstable conditions, with rain clouds forming in some places.

In the hour to 11 a.m., Cape Ashizuri in Kochi Prefecture recorded 32 millimeters of rain. And in the hour to 9:30 a.m., Toyota City's Azo area in Aichi Prefecture had 30.5 millimeters.

The unstable conditions are expected to continue into Thursday. Through late Wednesday night, the Tokai region might get 50 millimeters of extremely heavy rain. Strong rain is also forecast for the Kanto-Koshin, Kinki and Kyushu regions, as well as the Izu Islands, among other areas.

The agency says there is a potential for landslides and flooding in low-lying areas, as well as lightning and tornadoes, among other risks.

At the same time, a tropical low pressure system in the Mariana Islands, far off Japan's southeast, is expected to develop into a typhoon on Wednesday, and could affect the weather over the upcoming extended holiday.

The agency says it is expected to develop slowly as it proceeds toward the vicinity of the Ogasawara Islands by around Saturday.

While there is a wide margin of uncertainty in the subsequent forecast, it is possible the storm will shift course toward the northeast and move to waters south of Honshu. The agency is urging the public to check the latest weather information.