Severe Winter Storms Claim Lives Across Japan After Prolonged Snowfall

Weeks of relentless snowfall have severely impacted large parts of Japan, resulting in at least 30 deaths and approximately 200 injuries, according to official figures released by the government. Local authorities caution that the number of casualties may continue to rise as heavy snow persists in several regions.

Japan regularly experiences intense winter snowfall particularly along its western coastline and in northern areas but this season’s conditions have been unusually severe. Prolonged accumulation has led to fatal accidents, home collapses, and residents being trapped inside their houses. Travel disruptions have been widespread, with rail services affected and thousands of passengers stranded, including significant delays at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido.

Since January 20, emergency services have been responding to incidents across the country. In response to the heightened risk, government forces have been deployed to assist with snow removal, especially from rooftops of homes occupied by elderly residents.

Niigata Prefecture has been among the hardest hit, reporting 12 fatalities and dozens of injuries. In one case, a man in his 60s died when his house collapsed under the weight of accumulated snow. Meanwhile, the northern city of Aomori recorded approximately 183 centimeters (72 inches) of snowfall its highest level in nearly four decades earning renewed attention as one of the snowiest urban areas in the world.

Authorities have warned of ongoing, life-threatening dangers, including falling snow from rooftops and structural failures. Tragic incidents have included elderly residents found buried during snow-clearing efforts. Images and videos shared online show vehicles, homes, and trees submerged beneath massive snowbanks.

The emergency unfolds amid heightened national attention, with further snowfall forecast in northern and western prefectures in the coming days. Government leaders have urged the public to closely monitor weather updates and follow safety guidance as disaster-response measures remain in effect.

For winter sports and mountain tourism stakeholders, the situation underscores both the power of nature and the critical importance of safety management, infrastructure resilience, and clear emergency protocols during extreme winter conditions.


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 At Least 30 Dead After Weeks of Heavy Snowfall in Japan