The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun
Heavy snow hits Hokuriku region
Heavy snowfall hit the Hokuriku region late Thursday evening, causing power outages affecting tens of thousands of homes along the Sea of Japan coast.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the snowfall is the result of a rapidly developing low-pressure system and a strong winter pressure system.
The city of Takaoka in Toyama Prefecture logged a record 59 centimeters of snow in the 12-hour span through Friday morning, while Toyama City saw 48 centimeters.
The 24-hour snowfall through 6 a.m. Saturday was forecast to be 120 centimeters for the Hokuriku region, 70 centimeters in the Tokai, Kinki and Chugoku regions and 60 centimeters in the Tohoku region. Heavy snowfall is expected to continue through Sunday in the Hokuriku region and other areas.
As of 10:00 am Friday, nearly 45,000 households in eight municipalities in Akita Prefecture, including its capital, were left without power when power lines were broken as a result of strong winds. Power restoration is not expected for some time.
In Niigata Prefecture, 49,000 homes in 14 municipalities including Niigata City were temporarily without power. As of 10:00 am Friday, power to about 700 homes had still not been restored.
A series of accidents have also occurred during efforts to clear the snow. A man was struck and killed by a snowplow operated by a colleague in a parking lot in Higashidori, Aomori Prefecture, on Thursday night.
As of 8:00 a.m. Friday, a total of 11 people in Tochigi, Chiba, Niigata and Ishikawa prefectures have reported injuries as a result of falls and other accidents. (Jan. 9)