Japan: typhoon kills one, injures dozens

In Japan, tens of thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate after a typhoon destroyed homes and caused transport chaos. At least one person was killed, with dozens injured. About a quarter of a million homes were without power. The typhoon has been heading up the central part of the country. 130kph winds ripped the roofs from some houses and toppled power lines. In some cities, tens of thousands of residents were being urged to evacuate to sturdy buildings like schools. Here in Tokyo residents were told simply to stay indoors while Typhoon Jelawat passes. The storm coincided with a high spring tide, and sent waves washing into some coastal towns. Many international cargo ships fled Japanese harbours, including Tokyo and Yokohama, to ride out the storm away from land. Many travellers found themselves stuck as railway officials decided there was a danger to high-speed trains, which halted to shelter inside stations. Several major airports were in near-lockdown, with hundreds of flights cancelled, those to and from Europe and elsewhere among those likely disrupted. Listen to this report from Tokyo-based regional correspondent Alastair Wanklyn: