Severe Winter Storm Causes Major Disruptions Across Northern Japan

In Hokkaido, moisture-laden snow clung to traffic lights, power lines and even the walls of bus terminals, creating hazardous conditions across eastern districts. Residents described snow conditions that differed sharply from the light, powdery snow typical of the region, noting that the gusts were so strong their faces hurt and that vehicles were buried to the point of being unable to move. One resident said the snow felt “twice as heavy as usual,” adding that simply clearing it was exhausting.

At Monbetsu Port, violent crosswinds whipped up whitecaps, while Nemuro recorded a maximum instantaneous wind speed of 33.7 meters per second. A storm surge warning was issued at one point, with authorities urging residents to remain alert to potential flooding.

The severe conditions forced widespread flight cancellations, particularly among services to and from airports in Hokkaido, the Tohoku region and Hokuriku. Travellers stranded at terminals spoke of repeated rebookings, including one passenger who said two consecutive flights had been cancelled before finally securing a seat. Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways reported a combined 60 cancellations affecting more than 4,000 passengers.

In Aomori, where a magnitude-6 upper quake was recorded on December 8th, the storm system also brought strong winds and turbulent weather. December 15th marked one week since the quake, and in Hachinohe, one of Japan’s largest morning markets opened as usual over the weekend, drawing residents and tourists before dawn. Visitors said they were relieved to see the market held despite concerns that the quake might force a cancellation, adding that attending helped restore a sense of normalcy.

Vendors reported mixed conditions. Arasawa Tadaaki of Daian Shokudo said his stall had escaped major damage and that he decided to participate in order to show that the community remained resilient. While customers’ words of encouragement gave him strength, both foot traffic and the number of participating stalls were down to about half of normal levels.

With authorities continuing to issue advisories for potential later-stage earthquakes along the Sanriku coast, repeated announcements were made at the market guiding people to evacuation points should another tremor occur.

Elsewhere in Aomori, work has begun to transport materials needed to repair a damaged NTT transmission tower that officials previously warned could collapse. Governor Miyashita harshly criticised NTT’s handling of the matter last week, saying the company had been “far too relaxed” despite the risks and noting that repairs had yet to begin. Following the criticism, NTT East and related operators agreed to review their schedule to accelerate restoration.

Aftershocks continue to be recorded across the prefecture, though none have met the criteria for classification as a later-stage earthquake. In Mutsu, a local bar collected buckets of shattered glasses, the result of the violent shaking. Staff said they evacuated immediately and spent the night cleaning up after the tremors subsided.

Prefectural high schools in Hachinohe resumed classes on December 15th after several days of closure. Returning students expressed both relief and anxiety, welcoming the chance to meet friends again while acknowledging uncertainty about when the next quake might strike. Some noted that parts of their school buildings had been damaged but said they were grateful classes could restart.

Seasonal activities have also been disrupted. Surf clams—known locally as hokki-gai and considered a winter delicacy—are currently in peak season in Oirase, which registered an upper-6 intensity on December 8th. However, in response to the precautionary advisory for later-stage earthquakes, fishing operations have been halted through at least December 15th to protect the safety of crews. Restaurants that continued serving hokki-dons after the quake said the supply stopped on December 9th, leaving only limited stock.

At Kaisan Manpukutei Kawamura, owner Kawamura Toshizo said he hoped fishermen could resume work soon so he could meet customer demand, though he acknowledged that if the seas remained rough beyond December 16th, he might be unable to serve the dish at all. Diners lamented the temporary loss of the region’s famed surf clams, saying it was “sad not to be able to enjoy them.”

The halt in fishing has extended to supermarkets, where demand typically increases during winter. Akasaka Wataru, chief of fresh seafood at Maeda Honten, said the day’s delivery was expected to be the last for now and that there was no clear outlook for future shipments. Concerns are also spreading to other local products, including cod from Mutsu, with the supply of Aomori-sourced seafood becoming increasingly unstable.

At Momonoki Fishing Port, boats remained moored and the wharf was deserted, while equipment at nearby markets sat idle without workers.

In Hachinohe, some restaurants were still contending with structural damage from the quake a week earlier. At Garden Terrace, the oven’s glass door had shattered and a drink refrigerator had toppled over during the shaking. Manager Anbo Koichi said the economic loss amounted to 4–5 million yen, adding that turning down year-end party reservations was painful but unavoidable given the circumstances and that customers had been understanding.

One week after the earthquake, the effects continue to ripple across communities throughout northern Japan, compounding the challenges brought by the latest winter storm.

Source: FNN