By Ebi Kesiena
Northern Japan has been hit by a prolonged and deadly snowfall that has claimed dozens of lives, crippled transport networks, and left thousands without power, with authorities warning that more heavy snow is expected in the coming days.
Over the past two weeks, heavy snow has affected at least 15 prefectures, with accumulation reaching up to two metres (6.5 feet) in the hardest-hit areas. The extreme conditions are being attributed to a cold Arctic air mass that has stalled over the Japanese archipelago, intensifying snowfall across the region.
More than 1,700 households have been left without electricity, while most train services, including bullet trains, were suspended due to the severe weather. Local authorities warned that snow-blocked roads could further hamper emergency response efforts.
“We anticipate some roads may become impassable, so we are consulting with services to ensure ambulances and fire trucks can reach their destinations,” Aomori Governor Soichiro Miyashita told reporters on Wednesday.
According to the governor, some emergency vehicles were forced to park nearby as medics continued rescue efforts on foot, carrying stretchers through deep snow to reach those in need. He also urged the city of Aomori to accelerate snow-clearing efforts on major roads, suggesting the city was lagging behind other areas. Schools across the city were shut, disrupting education for thousands of students.
Nationwide, at least 35 deaths and hundreds of injuries have been linked to the severe weather, with most fatalities resulting from falls by residents attempting to clear snow from rooftops and around their homes.
Meanwhile, Niigata prefecture, a rice-producing region in northern Japan, recorded 12 snow-related deaths. Among them was a man found collapsed on the roof of his home in Uonuma city on January 21. In Nagaoka city, a 70-year-old man is believed to have died after falling from his roof, according to local authorities.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minoru Kihara, cautioned that although temperatures may rise, the danger is far from over. He warned that melting snow could trigger landslides and create hazardous, slippery conditions.
Injuries across the country have reached 393, including 126 serious cases, with Niigata accounting for 42 of the most severe injuries. At least 14 homes have been damaged, including eight in Aomori and three in Niigata prefectures.
Weather officials have forecast another round of heavy snowfall in northern Japan over the coming weekend, prompting renewed warnings for residents to remain cautious and limit unnecessary travel.
