Society

Severe weather continues in northern Japan, heavy snow forecast

SAPPORO, Nov 29 (News On Japan) - Unstable weather conditions continue in northern Japan on Wednesday morning, with further snowfall expected in Hokkaido and Tohoku by Thursday morning, Nov 30.

A strong cold air mass is currently moving across the Japanese archipelago, creating wintery atmospheric pressure patterns.

Northern Japan and the Hokuriku region are experiencing a combination of snow and rain, along with instances of extreme weather marked by winds approaching 30 meters in velocity.

The amount of snowfall in a 12-hour period has reached 25 centimeters in locations including Washinoucho in Hokkaido and Nishiwaga Town in Iwate Prefecture, and 16 centimeters in Suka-no-yu in Aomori Prefecture, with heavy snowfall primarily affecting the Japan Sea side.

Wild weather is expected to continue, with forecasts of 50 centimeters of snow in Tohoku and 40 centimeters in Hokkaido by Thursday morning, Nov 30.

Heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions may lead to transportation disruptions and power outages, so caution is advised.

by Brian Dentry

Long Lines in Russia for Japan Tourist Visas

Long lines have been forming daily outside the Japanese Embassy in Russia as people seek tourist visas to visit Japan, with an unprecedented boom in travel interest despite Moscow designating Japan an “unfriendly nation” over sanctions related to the Ukraine invasion.

Can Foreign Drivers Save Japan’s Logistics Industry?

A severe shortage of truck drivers—forecast to reach 210,000 by fiscal 2030—has prompted a driving school operator in Fukuoka Prefecture to begin recruiting foreign drivers in an effort to support Japan’s strained logistics sector.

Chinese Media Reports Travel to Japan Down 54%

China’s week-long Lunar New Year holiday began on February 15th, marking the start of the longest Spring Festival break on record at nine days.

Six Students Taken to Hospital After Eating Overly Salty Pizza

Six junior high school students were taken to hospital after falling ill from eating pizza made during a home economics class in Kitakyushu last month, with officials suspecting the cause to be an excessive amount of salt added to the dough.

Osaka Fraud Losses Top 33.9 Billion Yen as Police-Impersonation Scams Surge

Losses from special fraud and SNS-based investment and romance scams in Osaka Prefecture over the past year exceeded 33.9 billion yen, marking a record high.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Japan's Mobile Phone Numbers Nearing Exhaustion

Japan’s phone environment is set for sweeping changes in 2026, with mobile numbers nearing exhaustion and long-standing services such as feature phones, the Town Page directory and the 104 information line all coming to an end.

Man Arrested for Filming Women in Underwear Under False Pretense

A man has been arrested on suspicion of posing as a model audition for an underwear brand and photographing women in their underwear.

15-Meter Water Spout Erupts in Kawaguchi

A towering column of water reaching about 15 meters erupted in a residential area of Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture, on February 12th after a valve loosened during water pipe repair work, flooding nearby streets and startling residents.

Osaka Fraud Losses Top 33.9 Billion Yen as Police-Impersonation Scams Surge

Losses from special fraud and SNS-based investment and romance scams in Osaka Prefecture over the past year exceeded 33.9 billion yen, marking a record high.

Sapporo Orders Removal of All Buildings at Former Safari Park

Sapporo City is set to begin procedures as early as February 12th to issue a demolition order requiring the removal of all buildings at North Safari Sapporo, which closed in September 2025 over illegal construction issues, after more than 30 unauthorized structures were found to remain on the site in Minami Ward, Hokkaido.

Water Supply Disruptions Continue in Hakone

A renewed water outage struck Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture after supplies briefly resumed on February 11th morning, with authorities reinstating water restrictions from 9 p.m. as frozen pipes and low reservoir levels linked to an intense cold wave continued to disrupt supply across the region.

Pink Mohawk Councilor Arrested on Extortion Charges

An Inazawa city councilor in Aichi Prefecture known for his trademark pink mohawk has been arrested on suspicion of extortion and assault after allegedly beating a man and demanding money at a restaurant in November 2025.

Chinese Suspect Arrested Over Lamborghini Hit-and-Run

A 41-year-old Chinese man arrested on suspicion of crashing a Lamborghini into a police patrol car and fleeing the scene is believed to have been driving at a speed far exceeding the legal limit, investigators said.

< 2 3 4 5 >