※  Japan witnesses the worst blizzard in five years

Japan witnessed the worst snowstorm in five years from late January to early February 2012. The heavy snow kept pounding the coastal areas along the Sea of Japan for weeks, leaving dozens of people dead and hundreds more injured.

Many houses in western Japan were completely cut off from the world after several avalanches had occurred, blocking the local roads. Several main motorways connecting major cities in Japan were partly closed off and domestic operation of air traffic over the affected areas was suspended due to the severe weather conditions.

In Sukayu, northern Aomori Prefecture, the snow was more than four meters high. Yamagata and Niigata prefectures had over three meters of snow.

Moreover, out of the 1.75 mln people who got infected with a new strain of the flu virus due to the record cold temperatures, lat least 8 people died.

Related stories:

 • Part of W. Japan affected by heavy snow
 • 55 confirmed dead due to snowfall in Japan

 • In pictures: Dozens die as heavy snow hits Japan