TOKYO, Sept 8: Typhoon Songda became the worst typhoon to hit Japan in recent years, leaving at least 31 dead by Wednesday morning with the toll expected to rise, authorities and news reports said.

The typhoon has injured more than 900 people since Tuesday, when it struck southwestern Japan. Another 14 people were reported missing.

The powerful typhoon continued a devastating path across Japan early Wednesday, hitting the northermost prefecture of Hokkaido, killing at least four people and leaving one missing, police said. -dpa