Japan faces heavy snowfall for two weeks Authorities urge caution to reduce snow-related risks

A heavy snowfall that swept across Japan over the past two weeks has resulted in the deaths of 30 people, including a 91-year-old woman found under a three-meter-high pile of snow outside her home, officials said Tuesday.

The Japanese government deployed rescue teams to Ōmori, the hardest-hit region, where snow remains piled up to 4.5 meters in remote areas, to assist in evacuating residents and clearing the snow.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held an extraordinary cabinet meeting to instruct ministers to do everything possible to prevent further deaths and accidents caused by the severe weather conditions.

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported that a strong cold air mass caused the heavy snowfall along the Sea of Japan coast, with some areas receiving twice the usual amounts, increasing risks for residents, particularly the elderly and those living alone.

A local official said the elderly woman, Kina Jin, died after snow fell on her from the roof of her house, with the cause of death identified as suffocation. An aluminum shovel was found beside her body. He added that rising temperatures cause accumulated snow to melt and fall, making areas around homes particularly dangerous.

Ōmori Governor Suitichiro Miyashita requested military intervention to provide urgent assistance, focusing on helping elderly residents living alone to clear snow and ensure their safety.