The record snowfall in Japan has led to the mobilization of soldiers to clear the roads, and the death toll has reached 30.

On Tuesday, Japan faced record snowfall that buried cities in the north and west, prompting the mobilization of soldiers from the Self-Defense Forces to assist in snow removal. In the city of Aomori, snow accumulations reached nearly 2 meters, the highest amount in the last four decades. Approximately 1,000 snow removal vehicles were dispatched to clear 3,700 kilometers of roads in Sapporo, the largest city in Hokkaido. The snowfall led to the temporary closure of Hokkaido's main airport, affecting travel and causing train delays. Since January 20, over 100 people have been seriously injured in snow-related incidents, and 30 have died, mostly due to falls from heights while attempting to clear roofs. These severe conditions could affect participation in the general elections scheduled for Sunday, the first in 36 years to be held in the middle of winter.