Record-breaking snow blankets Japan, killing at least 30 people

Japan deploys troops to help residents and warns people to watch for avalanches and snow falling from roofs.Published On 3 Feb 2026Record-breaking snowfall in Japan has been blamed for 30 deaths in the past two weeks, including a 91-year-old woman found buried under 300cm (118 inches) of snow outside her home, officials said.The heavy snowfall prompted the government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to order the deployment of troops on Tuesday to help in affected areas, according to the Japanese national television NHK.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Japan’s PM Takaichi will dissolve parliament, call snap electionlist 2 of 3Killer of Japan’s former PM Shinzo Abe sentenced to life in prisonlist 3 of 3Ex-Japanese Prime Minister Abe’s killer sentenced to lifeend of listAuthorities told people to watch for avalanches and accumulated snow falling from rooftops, NHK reported, and also warned that power outages are possible in the hardest-hit areas.As of Tuesday, the northern city of Aomori had 175cm (about 69 inches) of snow accumulated on the ground, more than double the average for this time of the year, according to NHK. On Monday, the city recorded as much as 183cm (72 inches) of snow accumulating in some areas, breaking the 40-year record of 181cm (71 inches) observed in 1986.Aomori Governor Soichiro Miyashita said on Monday he had asked the military to offer disaster relief, especially to the elderly, many of whom live alone and need help clearing snow.“The danger of life-threatening incidents, such as fatal accidents due to falling snow from the roofs or collapsing buildings, is imminent,” he said in a news conference.Several other cities also reported snow accumulation of at least 135cm (53 inches), NHK reported.From January 20 through Tuesday, 30 people have died as a result of the heavy snowfall, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.A person walks past a bulletin board for posters of candidates for the February 8 snap election in the western city of Fukui [Kyodo via Reuters]On Monday, NHK reported at least 12 deaths in the northwestern Niigata Prefecture facing the Sea of Japan, six in Akita prefecture in northern Japan, three in the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, two in Aomori and one each in four other prefectures.