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18h ago

Japan Sends Troops as Record Snowfall Kills 30

A lingering Arctic air mass has dumped far more than the usual snow along the Sea of Japan coast, overwhelming local capacity.

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A man walks through the snowfall amid piled-up snow at the Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori, Tottori Prefecture, Japan. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS
Heavy snow accumulations in Aomori, Japan, on February 3, 2026. Credit: CAO_Bousai
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Overview

  • Authorities confirmed 30 deaths since January 20, with national broadcaster NHK reporting about 290 people injured in snow-related incidents.
  • Aomori is the hardest-hit region, with up to about 4.5 meters of snow in remote areas and a 40-year record broken in the city where snow depths reached around 1.8 meters.
  • Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi convened a special cabinet meeting directing a focus on preventing further deaths as large-scale snow removal and relief operations continue.
  • Self-Defense Forces were deployed to assist in Aomori after requests from local officials, prioritizing help for elderly residents and clearing access to homes and roads.
  • Transport and infrastructure have been disrupted, including a temporary closure of Hokkaido’s main airport, rail and highway shutdowns, and official warnings about avalanches, falling rooftop snow, and potential power outages.