Japan's military is aiding a desperate rescue mission to save stranded residents affected by Typhoon Hagibis, which has claimed at least 30 lives so far.
The nation's Kyodo News agency said 33 people died and 19 were missing after the typhoon left vast sections of towns under water.
At least 177 others have been injured by Typhoon Hagibis, which paralysed Tokyo on Saturday and dumped record levels of rain around Japan.
The typhoon made landfall south of Tokyo on Saturday evening.
It battered central and northern Japan with torrents of rain and powerful gusts of wind.
The typhoon was downgraded to a tropical storm on Sunday.
Japan sent tens of thousands of troops and rescue workers on Sunday to save stranded residents and fight floods.
Rescue efforts were hindered after more than 20 rivers in central and northeastern Japan burst their banks.
Dozens more overflowed although their banks were still in tact, public broadcaster NHK said, adding that flooding rivers could cause more damage.
Evacuation centres filled with residents, while some people perished as they sought shelter, NHK said, adding a 77-year-old woman fell about 40 metres to her death during an airlift.
A panama-registered cargo ship was found sunk in waters near Tokyo on Sunday after authorities lost track of it as Typhoon Hagibis lashed Japan, the transport ministry said.
One newspaper said at least five of the 12 crew were killed.
The Yomiuri newspaper said four crew were rescued, while three crew were still missing.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held an emergency ministerial meeting and sent the minister in charge of disaster management to affected areas. The government also set up a task force to deal with the damage.
"The government will do everything in its power to cooperate with relevant agencies and operators working to restore services as soon as possible," the prime minister said.
Reporting by agencies.
