Soldiers and fleets of snow plows were deployed across Japan on Tuesday as authorities battled record-breaking winter storms that have buried parts of the country under deep snow, with the death toll rising to 30. Northern and western regions have been hit hardest, forcing emergency measures as crews work to keep roads open and communities accessible.
Japan is accustomed to some of the heaviest snowfall in the world, a feature that has long made it a premier destination for winter sports. This year’s unusually harsh conditions, however, are raising concerns beyond travel and safety, with officials warning that the extreme weather could affect voter turnout in Sunday’s general election, the first to be held in midwinter in 36 years.
Troops from the Self-Defence Forces were called in to assist local authorities in the city of Aomori, where nearly two meters (about seven feet) of snow have accumulated, the largest buildup seen there in four decades. In Sapporo, broadcaster Nippon TV reported that roughly 1,000 snow plows were dispatched to clear about 3,800 kilometers (2,300 miles) of roads across the region.
Japan Faces Extreme Winter 2026
The sheer scale of this winter’s snowfall has caused widespread disruption. Hokkaido’s main airport was temporarily closed last week, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded, while heavy snow has also delayed train services and forced the shutdown of several highways. Travel disruptions have rippled across affected regions as crews struggle to keep up with continuous snowfall.
According to figures from the disaster management agency, more than 100 people nationwide have suffered serious injuries in snow-related incidents since January 20, while 30 fatalities have been recorded.
Although the agency did not provide details on the causes of death, domestic media reports indicate that some victims fell from rooftops while attempting to clear large accumulations of snow from their homes.
