Two people have died and nine others are missing after Typhoon Hagibis brought fierce winds and record-breaking rainfall to Japan.

A 50-year-old man was killed near Tokyo in a car overturned by huge gusts, while another person died after being washed away in a car.

Those missing were caught up in flooding and landslides, while 80 injuries have been reported after gales tore the roofs off a number of houses.

Image: Floods in Ise as the typhoon makes landfall

Image: Ise, Mie Prefecture, where rescuers use a rubber dingy to look for people who need help

Image: Storm force winds have already wreaked havoc ahead of the typhoon hitting Japan

Several people are missing in a town near Tokyo after a landslide destroyed two houses.

Up to 30,000 properties may have been damaged or destroyed.


More than 270,000 households lost power, public broadcaster NHK said.

About six million people were advised to leave their homes before the typhoon had even arrived.

The streets of Tokyo were deserted as those who remained stayed indoors.

Shops, factories and subways have been shut down as a precaution.

Image: More than 1,600 flights have been cancelled

Image: As much as 50cm of rain could hit some parts of Japan. Pic: NOAA

The Japanese government said the storm could be the strongest to hit Tokyo since 1958.

Yasushi Kajihara, from Japan's meteorological agency, said: "Be ready for rainfall of the kind that you have never experienced. Take all measures necessary to save your life."

An earthquake measuring 5.3, according to the US Geological Survey, shook the areas which had been drenched by rainfall. The earthquake was in the ocean off Chiba, near Tokyo.

Organisers of the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix have cancelled all practice and qualifying sessions, while two matches of the Rugby World Cup have also been scratched.

England's match against France was cancelled, and the team has returned to Miyazaki where they held their pre-tournament training camp. New Zealand's match against Italy was also cancelled.

Image: A man covers a doorway to prepare for the typhoon

Image: Empty shelves in Tokyo as people buy up supplies for the storm

Japan's rugby team had to wade through flood waters to get to their sodden pitch for practice, as their match against Scotland on Sunday could still go ahead if organisers believe it is safe.

World Rugby told fans of Namibia and Canada not to travel to Kamashi ahead of Sunday's planned match, as they consider whether it should be cancelled. The teams have also been advised of potential cancellation.

More than 1,600 flights have been cancelled and train services suspended.

Tokyo Disneyland is also closed.

Some 17,000 police and military troops have been called up, standing ready for rescue operations, while dozens of evacuation centres have opened in coastal towns.

People have taken refuge on the floors of evacuation centres, hoping their homes will be still there when they return.

Yuka Ikemura, a 24-year-old nursery school teacher, is in an evacuation centre in Tokyo with her three-year-old son, eight-month-old daughter, and their pet rabbit.

She said: "I've got small children to take care of and we live on the first floor of an old apartment.

"We brought with us the bare necessities. I'm scared to think about when we will have run out of diapers and milk."

A typhoon that hit the Tokyo region in 1958 left more than 1,200 people dead and half a million houses flooded.