Residents face avalanche risks as temperatures rise after weeks of heavy snowfall in northern Japan.
Japanese authorities have issued avalanche and falling snow warnings across the country’s northern regions following a sudden rise in temperature after weeks of record-breaking snowfall that disrupted transportation and damaged homes.
Communities in northern prefectures, including Aomori, have been buried under snowdrifts measuring up to two metres, forcing residents indoors and leading to the closure of schools and businesses since late January.
On Wednesday, temperatures in Aomori rose to 8°C, heightening the risk of heavy, wet snow sliding off rooftops or triggering avalanches—posing serious danger to residents.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki urged caution, advising residents to remain alert to the risks posed by falling snow and unstable snowbanks.
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“We ask affected residents to be careful and stay mindful of falling snow and avalanches,” Ozaki said during a press briefing.
According to Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency, extreme snowfall has claimed 35 lives and caused 393 injuries nationwide since January 20. Many incidents involved snow collapsing from rooftops or residents falling while attempting to clear accumulated snow.
Although accumulated snowfall in Aomori dropped below 1.6 metres on Wednesday for the first time in four days, traffic disruption persisted, local broadcaster ATV reported.
Television footage showed residents navigating narrow walkways carved between towering walls of snow, some rising well above head height.
In the Niigata region, along the Sea of Japan, two fatalities were reported earlier in the week after buildings collapsed under the weight of heavy snow, according to local media.
In response, the Japanese government has deployed military personnel to assist with snow removal operations in the affected northern areas.
Meteorological officials have warned that colder conditions are expected to return over the weekend, potentially bringing additional snowfall to northern cities.
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