TOKYO — Unusually heavy snowfall in Japan has claimed at least 30 lives over the past two weeks, officials said Tuesday, including a 91-year-old woman found buried under a three-metre pile of snow outside her home.
The central government has deployed troops to assist residents in Aomori, the hardest-hit region, where some remote areas still have up to 4.5 metres (15 feet) of snow on the ground.
Read More: Heavy snow causes travel chaos in Japan
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi convened a special cabinet-level meeting Tuesday morning, instructing ministers to do everything possible to prevent further deaths and accidents.
A powerful cold air mass has dumped unprecedented snow along the Sea of Japan coast, with some areas experiencing more than double the typical seasonal accumulation. From January 20 through Tuesday, 30 people have died due to snow-related incidents, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
“Imminent threat to life”
Record-breaking snowfall in Aomori, northern Japan, has left snow depths topping 1.8 metres (5.9 feet), overwhelming roads and raising fears of deadly accidents and roof collapses, prompting the Japan Ground Self-Defence Forces to begin disaster relief… pic.twitter.com/Kknt6xsKGs
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) February 2, 2026
Japan’s Aomori region has recorded its heaviest snowfall in over 80 years. The heavy snow has caused traffic chaos in parts of the north, and several people have died. pic.twitter.com/a9pi8fTPGP
— DW News (@dwnews) February 2, 2026
Among the fatalities was Kina Jin, 91, whose body was discovered under a pile of snow at her home in Ajigasawa, Aomori. Local police believe that snow from her rooftop fell on her, causing suffocation. An aluminium shovel was found next to her body, indicating she may have been attempting to clear snow.
Aomori Governor Soichiro Miyashita said on Monday that he had requested military assistance for disaster relief. Troops are helping elderly residents who live alone and require support in clearing snow.
The governor noted that walls of snow as high as 1.8 metres cover Aomori city, and local workers clearing roads and homes are overwhelmed. He warned that life-threatening incidents, including fatal accidents from falling snow or collapsing buildings, remain imminent.
Read More: Aomori City in Japan is the snowiest in the world
Authorities continue to urge caution, particularly for those living in isolated or vulnerable areas, as melting snow and unstable rooftops pose ongoing hazards.