At Least 35 Dead and Almost 400 Injured as 6.5 Feet of Snow Hits Japan

A deadly wave of winter weather has gripped Japan, leaving at least 35 people dead and nearly 400 injured after weeks of relentless snowfall across the country’s northern regions.

On Wednesday, Feb. 4, officials issued avalanche warnings as temperatures suddenly rose following two weeks of heavy snow, causing packed drifts to begin melting and destabilizing slopes, according to reports from the Associated Press, The Japan Times, and Sky News.

Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency confirmed that the deaths were linked directly to the extreme snowfall. In some areas, snow piled up to about 6.5 feet, overwhelming infrastructure and daily life.

The hardest-hit areas include the northern prefecture of Aomori, where blocked roads, widespread power outages, and suspended train services have caused major disruptions. More than 1,700 homes were left without electricity, and most local train lines were forced to shut down as crews worked to clear snow-covered tracks.

Aomori Governor Soichiro Miyashita warned that emergency services were under growing strain as conditions worsened.

“We anticipate some roads might get blocked off, and so we are consulting with services that can help ambulances and fire trucks get through to their destinations,” Miyashita said Wednesday.

In some cases, medical workers were unable to reach patients by vehicle and had to abandon their cars and continue rescues on foot. Miyashita also urged that major roads in Aomori City be cleared as quickly as possible, noting that school closures have disrupted daily life for thousands of children.

Authorities say many of the fatalities occurred during snow removal efforts. Several victims reportedly fell while clearing snow from rooftops or around their homes, a recurring danger during Japan’s severe winters.

The Niigata region recorded 12 of the deaths. In Nagaoka City, a 70-year-old man reportedly died after falling from his roof while shoveling snow. Sky News also reported that some victims suffered sudden heart attacks brought on by the physical strain of snow removal.

Of the 393 people injured so far, 126 were reported to have serious injuries, including 42 cases in Niigata alone. Officials also confirmed that at least 14 homes were damaged by the heavy snow.