Heavy snowfall in Japan claims 30 lives

February 03, 2026 / 11:10 AM

Sharjah24-AFP: Unusually heavy snowfall across parts of Japan has led to at least 30 deaths over the past two weeks, according to Japanese authorities, prompting emergency interventions and heightened safety warnings as the conditions persist.

Severe impact in northern regions

The worst-hit area is Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan, where snow accumulation has reached up to 4.5 metres in remote areas. Among the victims was a 91-year-old woman found beneath a three-metre pile of snow outside her home in Ajigasawa. Snow reportedly fell from her rooftop, causing suffocation. Local police said an aluminium shovel was found beside her, suggesting she had been clearing snow at the time.

Since January 20, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency has recorded 30 fatalities from snow-related incidents, including roof collapses and falling snow, as temperatures fluctuate.

Government response and military support

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi convened a special cabinet-level meeting on Tuesday, instructing ministers to step up efforts to prevent further deaths and accidents. The central government has deployed Self-Defence Forces troops to assist residents in Aomori, particularly elderly people living alone who are struggling to clear heavy snow.

Aomori Governor Soichiro Miyashita warned that life-threatening incidents remain imminent, citing snow walls up to 1.8 metres high in Aomori city and overwhelmed local snow-clearing crews.