Record rainfall in Japan stranded thousands of travellers at Tokyo's Narita airport on Friday, bringing floods to the surrounding area that disrupted transport, knocked out power to 20,000 homes and killed eight.

Record-breaking heavy rain has pounded eastern Japan, flooding roads and homes, paralyzing traffic, and causing power outages near Tokyo.

Areas around Tokyo have recorded 360mm of rainfall in the 24 hours to Friday, causing widespread chaos and damage, while Hawaii prepares for Tropical Storm Lala.