Northern Japan is grappling with fresh dangers as temperatures unexpectedly spiked following two weeks of historic snowfall. Officials have warned residents to stay vigilant after heavy snow buried towns like Aomori under drifts reaching nearly two metres, disrupting daily life and leaving communities isolated.
Schools and businesses remain closed, and locals continue to navigate narrow paths carved through towering walls of snow, some twice their height. Today, temperatures in Aomori climbed to 8°C, causing wet, heavy snow to loosen from rooftops — a deadly hazard that has already claimed lives.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki urged residents to remain cautious: “Please be mindful of falling snow and avalanches. Safety comes first.”
Since January 20, the extreme snowfall has resulted in 35 fatalities and 393 injuries nationwide, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. Many incidents involved people falling from rooftops while clearing snow, or being struck by collapsing snow heaps from buildings.
In Niigata, tragic incidents continue: a man died when his home collapsed under the weight of snow, and another lost his life after his garage caved in. Troops have been deployed across northern regions to assist in clearing drifts and restoring access for residents.
Weather experts caution that the cold is not over. From the weekend, northern cities could see further snowfalls, keeping communities on alert.
Despite the chaos, stories of resilience are emerging — neighbors helping neighbors, and entire towns banding together to clear streets, protect homes, and ensure the safety of the elderly and vulnerable. In the midst of natural disaster, human solidarity shines as brightly as the winter snow.
