Downpours are pummeling a remote island in southwestern Japan. Authorities have issued the maximum level-5 heavy rain emergency warning for Yoron town, Kagoshima Prefecture. They urge people to do whatever is necessary to protect their lives.

Meteorological Agency officials say the area has been hit by more than 580 millimeters of rain in 24 hours. That's the most since records began for Yoron in 1978.

Okinawa Prefecture is also experiencing heavy rain. Radar analysis suggests hourly rainfall has exceeded 120 millimeters in some northern areas of the prefecture.

The agency says both Yoron and Okinawa could see rainfall of up to 80 millimeters per hour through Saturday evening.