Heavy snow in Japan disrupts flights and trains, closes roads

By Reuters February 10, 2023 | 03:56 pm PT

A woman wearing a protective face mask walks on a street in snowfall, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Tokyo, Japan January 6, 2022. Photo by Reuters

Heavy snow across much of Japan on Friday grounded 100 flights, blocked dozens of roads and disrupted train services, government authorities and operators said.

Domestic airlines including ANA, Japan Airlines and others cancelled a total of 100 flights due to the snow as of noon, according to the land ministry.

Parts of 31 highways were closed in central and eastern Japan, while 54 central Tokyo expressway exits were blocked, the ministry said.

Services on more than a dozen train routes in central and eastern Japan had suspended operations or were planning to do so, the land ministry said.

East Japan Railway, the country's biggest train operator, said a high-speed service between Tokyo and the northeastern prefecture of Yamagata would be suspended later on Friday.

Major delivery service firms including Yamato Transport and Sagawa Express said their delivery services may experience delays until Saturday.