At least eight people have died as record rainfall pummelled eastern Japan and left thousands stranded at Tokyo's Narita Airport. The rains, which authorities have described as "unprecedented", cut power to more than 20,000 households in Chiba prefecture.

Wesley Rahn The first-ever visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to one of the disputed Kuril islands off the far northern tip of Japan last week triggered a swift and angry response from Tokyo. Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in a social media post that Putin's visit was "absolutely unacceptable" while referring to the islands,