A person shovels snow in front of a shrine in Tottori, western Japan. Photo: Kyodo/AP.
On January 25, the Japan Meteorological Agency said four locations recorded the lowest temperature ever. In addition, 46/47 provinces reported temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius, according to SCMP.
The lowest temperature in a decade is continuing to cause turmoil across Japan. At least three people have died from the sudden cold. Road, rail and air services were severely disrupted.
Coastal areas from Hokkaido to southern Kyushu saw heavy snowfall. Authorities urged the public to be alert to the potential for visibility loss due to snow, slippery roads and ice fog.
Residents are also asked to work in pairs when removing snow from the roof, in case it gets buried in the snow.
The town of Maniwa in Okayama Prefecture recorded a record 93 cm of snow between 00:00 and 8 a.m. on January 25. Only the subtropical islands of Okinawa Prefecture escaped the cold.
Trains in Japan were delayed due to heavy snowfall. Photo: Kyodo/AP.
The frigid conditions were made worse by strong winds. Meteorologists in Rausu, Hokkaido recorded a gust of more than 130 km/h. Happo town in Akita prefecture was also hit by strong winds of 100 km/h.
Downtown Tokyo recorded a temperature of -2.9 degrees Celsius. However, weather reports showed strong winds making the weather look like -10 degrees Celsius.
Dozens of passenger cars and trucks were stuck for more than a day on the Shin-Meishin Expressway on the border of Mie and Shiga prefectures. Authorities warned heavy snowfall might pose a danger to travel. The local fire department arrived to assist and evacuate people.
Similarly, passengers on 16 trains on the JR Tokaido and Sanyo lines were also stranded when the train was impassable due to heavy snowfall.
Officials warn that the cold weather might cause water in pipes to freeze, damaging homes and affecting crops.
Japan predicts cold conditions will continue to affect much of the country next week. Snow will be heavier in northern and western Japan.