Record Snowfall Grips Japan, Claiming 30 Lives

Japan has experienced record-breaking snowfall, leading to 30 fatalities over the past two weeks. One reported incident involved a 91-year-old woman found deceased under deep snow outside her residence.

Japan has experienced record-breaking snowfall, leading to 30 fatalities over the past two weeks.

Government Deploys Troops Amid Warnings

The significant snowfall prompted Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government to deploy troops on Tuesday to assist affected regions. Authorities issued warnings regarding potential avalanches, snow falling from rooftops, and the possibility of power outages in severely impacted areas.

On Tuesday, the prime minister convened a special cabinet meeting, instructing ministers to prioritize actions to prevent further deaths and accidents.

Aomori Sets New Snowfall Records

The northern city of Aomori recorded 175 centimeters of snow accumulation, exceeding double the seasonal average. On Monday, the city reached 183 centimeters in certain areas, surpassing a 40-year record of 181 centimeters set in 1986.

Aomori's snowfall reached 183 centimeters in some areas, surpassing a 40-year record of 181 centimeters set in 1986.

Aomori Governor Soichiro Miyashita requested military disaster relief, particularly for elderly residents requiring assistance with snow removal. He stated that the risk of fatal incidents, such as those caused by snow falling from roofs or building collapses, was imminent.

Several other cities also reported snow accumulations of at least 135 centimeters.

Fatalities and Injuries Detailed

Between January 20 and Tuesday, 30 individuals died as a direct consequence of the heavy snowfall, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. Reported deaths included those in Niigata, Akita, Hokkaido, and Aomori prefectures. Causes of death included being swept away in snow disposal waterways, falling from roofs, and sudden illness.

A total of 290 individuals sustained injuries due to snow-related incidents.

Arctic Cold Mass Blamed

The meteorological agency indicated that some areas of the country are experiencing more than double their typical snow volumes, attributed to a cold air mass from the Arctic positioned over the Japanese archipelago.