Typhoon Melor rocks Japan, disrupts industry

Typhoon Melor made landfall in central Japan on Thursday and moved north through the main island of Honshu. It was the first time a typhoon made landfall on the mainland in two years. One person died after his motorbike hit a fallen tree, and another when a branch fell on him. At least 56 people were injured as windows shattered, cars overturned and rivers overflowed. In the industrial heartland of Japan, trucks fell on their sides on highways and a few bridges collapsed. Factories closed and production at car factories came to a halt. In Minamisoma, Fukushima prefecture, north of Tokyo, elderly residents were evacuated by boat after torrential rains threatened their homes. Strong winds also brought down trees, many crashing into homes.