Trains and Flights were Cancelled in Japan Due to Heavy Snow

There are problems with train and air traffic on Monday in central and western Japan due to heavy snow showers. In addition, about 1,500 homes were without power on Monday afternoon, energy supplier Kansai Electric Power reports on its website.

Vehicle traffic has also been disrupted on a major traffic axis in the Shiga department, Japanese government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno said. Near the town of Hikone, 68 centimetres of snow fell in 24 hours, 30 times more than on a normal winter’s day, according to television channel NHK.

Some 200 train passengers had to spend the night in Shiga in trains that were stuck in the snow. On Sunday, 130 domestic flights were also cancelled due to the snow, and another 50 were added on Monday.

Government spokesman Matsuno says there are no reports of injuries yet, but calls for caution. “Snow showers would intensify into tomorrow, especially in the Sea of Japan region,” he said.