At least 18 people have been killed and more than 50 are missing after powerful Typhoon Talas ripped through western Japan. Local media reports the storm brought heavy rain and winds of up to 108 kilometers per hour after making landfall on Shikoku island yesterday. Japan's Meteorological Agency said that Talas has now moved over Japan and into the Sea of Japan. But it warned that heavy rains and strong winds will continue – raising the threat of floods and landslides.Nearly five lakh people in parts of western and central Japan were issued with evacuation orders.