A key gauge of business conditions in Japan has improved for the fourth month in a row, potentially fanning hopes of economic recovery even as the pandemic continues.
In particular, it shows sectors such as the auto industry could be shifting back into gear.
Japanese weather officials are warning of possible landslides and flooding in low-lying areas as torrential rain is expected to continue in Tokai and the Izu Islands late into Sunday night.
They say warm, damp air is flowing toward the seasonal rain front, making atmospheric conditions unstable, mainly in the Kanto-Koshin and Tokai areas. Heavy downpours of more than 30 millimeters an hour with thunder are likely in these areas.