Japanese Self-Defense Force soldiers conduct search and rescue operation at a damaged house
caused by a heavy rain in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan July 9, 2017. REUTERS/Issei Kato REUTERS
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday visited a region devastated by flooding over recent days and promised that the government would do everything possible to help rebuild.
Torrential rain that began a week ago set off landslides and sent rivers surging over their banks on the southwestern island of Kyushu, at one point forcing more than 400,000 people from their homes.
Twenty-five people were killed and 23 are still missing.
Abe, whose support has plunged to its lowest since he took office in 2012, cut short a European tour by a day because of the disaster and went to visit the region less than 24 hours after returning.
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