Heavy snow again wreaks havoc across swathes of Japan

Heavy snowfall severely disrupted transportation services in Tokyo Friday with snow-related fatalities also recorded in parts of central and southwestern Japan as the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warns that both eastern and western parts of the country should also brace for heavy snow again this weekend. The National Police Agency (NPA) confirmed that two people had died following a car crash and a tractor overturning in Shiga and Oita prefectures respectively, while more than 400 snow-linked injures have also been reported, owing mainly to slips and falls in the icy conditions. With a number of main highways being closed for the weekend, Central Japan Railway Co. and West Japan Railway Co. were running a restricted service of their bullet trains at reduced speeds and local overland train lines have also been severely disrupted by reduced services or cancellations, creating commuter havoc at the end of the working week, the train companies said. Similarly, Japan Airlines Co. issued a statement saying it had canceled 75 of its domestic flights from its Haneda airport hub and three international flights. All Nippon Airways Co., meanwhile, said it had scratched 74 flights due to the heavy snowfall and icy conditions. JMA has issued a nationwide caution to people to take preventative measures when outdoors and said that record amounts of snow have been dumped in Saitama, Nara, Nagoya and Osaka, with Kofu City in Yamanashi Prefecture already logging 49 cm of show, an amount not seen in 120 years. JMA spokesperson Shigeki Matsubayashi said Friday's snowfall mechanism resembled last week's because both used the same type of atmospheric depression. Specifically he said that the snow is being generated after cold air flowed into an atmospheric depression off the southern coast of the Japanese archipelago. In the Kanto region, however, the snow was wetter this time because it wasn't as cold, he said, but added that strong winds could contribute to the weekend's adverse conditions. Central Tokyo is expected to get as much as 10 cm in 24 hours, the agency said, while more mountainous regions like the Kanto- Koshin and Tohoku plains could see as much as 60 cm. In Tokyo, cars without snow tires or chains were seen to be skidding precariously along roads, even at slow speeds, and many taxi services have been canceled. "It's not a good night to be working as the conditions are treacherous," said taxi driver Yasuhiro Ota, 63. "In one sense many people will be needing to get home as the trains are off, but on the other hand it's a big risk being on the road as there were so many accidents on the roads last weekend when it snowed here," the Chiba Prefecture resident said. "I might call it a night and sign off. Better safe than sorry," Ota said. The local police have been kept on their toes as well, as the first responders on foot to local emergencies. "The phone hasn't stopped ringing since this morning and all the calls in this area have been due to people falling over, breaking bones and twisting ankles," a local police officer in the Shibuya district of Tokyo said. "Added to that it's the Valentine's weekend, so people are still going out. Alcohol and snow certainly doesn't mix," said the officer. "It will be another busy weekend for all the rescue services," he said. With many schools closed from Friday morning, and weekend classes and sporting "Both my kids play softball all day on Saturday and are usually out on Sunday in the park," said mother of two Rei Tominaga. "They'll want to go out tomorrow, but it will be impossible," the mother of the 5- and 7-year-old boys said. "I guess we'll spend the weekend under the kotatsu (heated table) playing board games and watching DVDs," she said. Some stranded Tokyoites were using coffee shops as a safe haven to avoid the storm. Students Momoko Uchida and Sachi Ito said the snow didn't bother them much, but were worried about relatives further north. "It's worked out quite well as we've got exams coming up so can study and drink hot drinks," Uchida said. "Hopefully we'll be able to find a cab later or might have to bunker down in an Internet cafe or karaoke shop until the morning," she said. "I'm a bit worried about my elderly grand parents in Akita Prefecture (northern Tohoku region), I hope they stay inside and have enough food," Ito said, while texting her mom to confirm their safety. But it was business as usual for the Baristas in the popular cafe in the upscale area of Daikanyama in Tokyo. "It's a little quite, but people are ordering more as they're having to stay for longer," the manager said. "Last weekend was busy, but this weekend I think we'll sell more Cafe Mochas and Hot Cocoas than we did then. It seems Hot Cocoa is a favorite here when the weather's bad," he said.