Japan Hit by Record Breaking Snowfall, Over 30 Killed and Hundreds Injured

Japan has been hit by heavy, record breaking snowfall, leaving over 30 people dead and almost a hundred injured. In certain sections of Aomori, the worst affected northern prefecture where the majority of fatalities occurred, officials reported snowfall of up to 4.5 meters, that is, 14 feet.

The snow cover in the most severely impacted regions is thought to have reached two meters or 6.5 feet as of Wednesday, affecting fifteen prefectures.

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In recent weeks, a large weather system has brought massive amounts of snow to the Sea of Japan coastline, with some central and northern regions of the main Honshu island receiving over twice the average snowfall. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi convened a special cabinet session on Tuesday to instruct her ministers to take every precaution to avoid more fatalities, while the national government has sent soldiers to assist local authorities in coping with the situation, according to the reports.

Despite the weather being warmer, Japan’s main government spokesman cautioned that there may still be risks ahead because the melting snow would cause landslides and slick surfaces.

In response to the severe snowfall that started in Niigata and the surrounding areas on January 20, several task forces were formed. In Yamagata Prefecture, there have been five fatalities connected to snow, while in Akita Prefecture, there have been seven.