Japan sees heavy snowfall, blizzards close roads

Northern Japan experienced another day of heavy snowfall and rough seas on Thursday. Heavy snowfall was seen in Hokkaido Prefecture with a blizzard warning forcing some roads to be closed.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the maximum wind speed on Thursday was around 25 meters in the Hokkaido region and 20 metres in the Tohoku region. In Mie Prefecture, icy conditions caused congestion on the Shin-Meishin Highway but was later resolved. Some of the road closures are expected to be lifted by Thursday evening.