A powerful typhoon that has killed at least one US airman slammed central Japan, disrupting transport and triggering mudslides, before swerving to the Pacific Ocean.

JAPAN’S Emperor Akihito yesterday visited a cliff where his countrymen plunged to their deaths to avoid capture by US troops.

Japan’s Emperor Akihito bowed deeply atop a Saipan cliff where his countrymen plunged to their deaths to avoid capture by US troops and – for the first time - paid his respects today to the Koreans killed on the tiny Pacific island in a key Second World War battle.