Tropical Storm Meari hammers Japan with heavy rainfall

A man is drenched by the rain brought by Tropical Storm Meari (Kyodo News via AP)

Tropical Storm Meari has unleashed heavy rains on Japan’s main Honshu island as it heads northwards towards the capital, Tokyo, according to weather officials.

The Japan Meteorological Agency warned Meari was on course to make landfall by about noon, bringing sudden heavy rains and blasting winds, possibly setting off mudslides and flooding.