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Heavy Snow Paralyzes Northern Japan, Stranding Thousands at Airport and Disrupting Transport

By The South Asia Times

TOKYO - Severe winter weather brought large parts of northern Japan to a standstill, forcing thousands of travelers to spend the night at airports and disrupting air and rail services across Hokkaido and neighboring regions.

At least 7,000 passengers were stranded overnight at New Chitose Airport on Sunday after heavy snowfall led to the cancellation of 56 domestic flights connecting Hokkaido with major cities across Japan, airport operator Hokkaido Airports Co. said, according to Kyodo News.

Many travelers were left sleeping in terminals as transport links to and from the airport were cut.

The snowfall was particularly intense in Sapporo, where 54 centimeters of snow accumulated within 24 hours through 7 p.m. Sunday — the highest January snowfall on record, according to the Hokkaido government.

Rail services were also severely affected. More than 500 train services were canceled on Sunday as crews worked to clear snow from tracks, including lines serving New Chitose Airport and routes linking Sapporo with Asahikawa and Hakodate, railway operator JR Hokkaido said. The disruptions impacted an estimated 130,000 passengers, with some train services still suspended on Monday.

To assist stranded residents, an underground pedestrian walkway near Sapporo Station was kept open overnight. By early Monday morning, around 340 people had taken shelter there after being unable to return home.

Elsewhere, winter conditions raised safety concerns in Aomori Prefecture, where eight men were reported missing late Sunday after heading out on snowmobiles. Police said the group, believed to be snowmobile enthusiasts, lost contact after one member informed family they had reached a ranch. The men were later found safe on Monday morning while descending a mountain in Hirakawa. No injuries or health issues were reported.

Authorities urged residents and travelers to remain cautious as heavy snow and transport disruptions continued to affect parts of northern Japan.

Heavy Snow Paralyzes Northern Japan, Stranding Thousands at Airport and Disrupting Transport

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