A 41—year—old man and his 73—year—old father were found dead on Friday in a collapsed house that collapsed in Yaotsu, western Japan, as the death toll from torrential rains, floods and mudslides for the past three days reached seven, news reports said.
In Matsue, another western Japanese city, a mother and her seven—year—old son were found dead under a boulder at their home on Friday.
Her 11—year—old daughter was rescued.
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The three had been trapped after two four—metre boulders hit their house early Friday.
Six people were still missing, according to Kyodo News.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan is to visit Gifu province, which has been most affected, on Sunday to meet with evacuees, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku told a news conference.
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More than 200 millimetres of rain have fallen in the region since Saturday, news reports said.
The Japan Meteorological Agency forecast the weather would remain unstable in many parts of the country, warning of more potential mudslides and flooding.
The downpours have left wide areas of farmland flooded.
Authorities issued advisories recommending evacuation for hundreds of thousands of people.