Tokyo: Record-breaking snowfall across Japan has claimed at least 30 lives over the past two weeks, with officials reporting a series of fatal incidents linked to extreme winter conditions, including the death of a 91-year-old woman who was found buried beneath about 300cm (118 inches) of snow outside her home.
The severe weather prompted the government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to order the deployment of Self-Defence Force troops to assist affected communities, according to Japanese national broadcaster NHK. The military is being mobilised to support snow removal and disaster relief efforts in the hardest-hit regions.
Authorities have issued warnings urging residents to remain vigilant for avalanches and large accumulations of snow falling from rooftops. Officials have also cautioned that power outages may occur in areas experiencing the heaviest snowfall, NHK reported.
As of February 3, the northern city of Aomori had recorded 175cm (approximately 69 inches) of snow on the ground, more than double the average for this time of year. On Monday, snowfall in some parts of the city reached 183cm (72 inches), breaking a 40-year record of 181cm (71 inches) set in 1986.
Aomori Governor Soichiro Miyashita said that he had requested military disaster assistance, particularly to support elderly residents. Many older people live alone and are struggling to clear heavy snow.
Miyashita warned that the risk of life-threatening incidents, including fatal accidents caused by falling roof snow or building collapses, was imminent. NHK reported that several other cities across Japan have also recorded snow accumulation of at least 135cm (53 inches).
According to Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency, 30 people have died due to snow-related incidents between January 20 and February 3. NHK said that at least 12 of those deaths occurred in Niigata prefecture along the Sea of Japan, six in Akita prefecture in northern Japan, three in the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, two in Aomori, and one each in four other prefectures.
In Niigata, officials told NHK that two men clearing snow on Sunday were swept into a waterway used for snow disposal. Other victims are believed to have fallen from rooftops or died after suddenly becoming ill while working or during rest breaks.
A total of 290 people has been injured in snow-related incidents, some of them seriously, according to NHK.
Japan’s meteorological agency said some regions are experiencing more than double the usual snowfall. Kyodo News attributed the extreme conditions to a cold Arctic air mass lingering over the Japanese archipelago.
It remains unclear how the heavy snowfall will affect the parliamentary elections scheduled for February 8. Prime Minister Takaichi convened a special cabinet-level meeting, instructing ministers to take all possible measures to prevent further deaths and accidents as severe winter conditions continue.
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