Heavy Snowfall Disrupts Japan, Causing Transportation and School Closures

Heavy Snowfall Disrupts Japan

Heavy snowfall blanketed areas from northern to western Japan, primarily on the Sea of Japan side, on January 10th, causing disruptions to train and road transportation as well as school operations.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that the strong flow of cold air was beginning to pass its peak, but snowfall was expected to continue through the morning of January 11th, mainly in mountainous areas along the Sea of Japan.

As of 1 p.m. on January 10th, 52 centimeters of snow had fallen over a 24-hour period in Motosu, Gifu Prefecture, and 51 cm in Kaneyama, Fukushima Prefecture.

In Aomori and Gifu prefectures, heavy snow from January 8th to 9th resulted in the deaths of three people, including one in a traffic accident.

The JMA warned of unstable atmospheric conditions through the morning of January 11th, mainly along the Sea of Japan, with the possibility of localized thunderstorm clouds.

The JMA forecast snowfall over the 24 hours through 6 a.m. on January 11th, with accumulations of up to 60 cm in the Tohoku, Hokuriku, Kinki, and Chugoku regions. Up to 50 cm was expected in the Kanto-Koshin and Tokai regions, 40 cm in Hokkaido, 15 cm in the Shikoku region, and up to 10 cm in the northern Kyushu region.

East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) suspended operations on the Yamagata Shinkansen Line between Fukushima and Shinjo until shortly after 11 a.m. on January 10th due to the heavy snow.

Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai) operated the Tokaido Shinkansen Line at reduced speeds between Nagoya and Kyoto.

In Kyushu, Nishitetsu Bus halted all operations in Fukuoka city and surrounding areas since the first scheduled departures.

Most bus routes in the Kita-Kyushu area were also suspended, with operations resuming depending on road conditions.

The Fukuoka City Board of Education closed or delayed the start times of some municipal schools.

The Kita-Kyushu City Board of Education closed all municipal schools for the day.

In Nara Prefecture, a truck stranded on an icy road near the Ashihara Tunnel on National Route 169 caused a 3-kilometer traffic jam on the morning of January 10th. Police cleared the way by spreading de-icing agents. No injuries were reported.