Japan: Cold Front Stalls Over Hokkaido Bringing More Than One Meter Snow to Sapporo 2

A cold front stalled over Hokkaido on Sunday, January 25, leaving more than one meter of snow on the ground in Sapporo — the highest January total recorded in the city in decades. The persistent storm heavily disrupted transportation, leaving thousands stranded at New Chitose Airport.

Japan: Cold Front Stalls Over Hokkaido Bringing More Than One Meter Snow to Sapporo

A cold front stalled over Hokkaido on Sunday, January 25, leaving more than one meter of snow on the ground in Sapporo — the highest January total recorded in the city in decades. The persistent storm heavily disrupted transportation, leaving thousands stranded at New Chitose Airport.

[Breaking news]Wildfire in Yamanashi Pref.

UENOHARA, Japan, Jan. 11 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows continuing firefighting operations by a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force helicopter against a wildfire at Mt. Ogi, straddling Uenohara and Otsuki cities in Yamanashi Prefecture, west of Tokyo, on Jan. 11, 2026. (Kyodo)

Japan defense chief visits training field in Chiba Pref.

Japan defense chief visits training field in Chiba Pref.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi meets the press during a visit to a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force exercise field in Funabashi in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 11, 2026.

Japan defense chief visits training field in Chiba Pref.

Japan defense chief visits training field in Chiba Pref.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi takes part in parachute jump tower training at a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force exercise field in Funabashi in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 11, 2026.

Wildfire in Yamanashi Pref.

Wildfire in Yamanashi Pref.

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows continuing firefighting operations by a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force helicopter against a wildfire at Mt. Ogi, straddling Uenohara and Otsuki cities in Yamanashi Prefecture, west of Tokyo, on Jan. 11, 2026.

Defense Minister Koizumi visits GSDF camp

Defense Minister Koizumi visits GSDF camp

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) rides a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force assault amphibious vehicle 7 during a visit to the GSDF's Camp Ainoura in Sasebo in Nagasaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 21, 2025.

Defense Minister Koizumi visits GSDF camp

Defense Minister Koizumi visits GSDF camp

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (C) meets the press during a visit to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Ainoura in Sasebo in Nagasaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 21, 2025.

Defense Minister Koizumi visits GSDF camp

Defense Minister Koizumi visits GSDF camp

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) rides a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force assault amphibious vehicle 7 during a visit to the GSDF's Camp Ainoura in Sasebo in Nagasaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 21, 2025.

Defense Minister Koizumi visits GSDF camp

Defense Minister Koizumi visits GSDF camp

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) rides a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force assault amphibious vehicle 7 during a visit to the GSDF's Camp Ainoura in Sasebo in Nagasaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 21, 2025.

Year-end cleaning at Himeji Castle

Year-end cleaning at Himeji Castle

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel perform year-end cleaning of Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on Dec. 16, 2025, in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan.

Year-end cleaning at Himeji Castle

Year-end cleaning at Himeji Castle

A member of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force performs year-end cleaning of Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on Dec. 16, 2025, in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan.

Southern Europe and The Northwestern Mediterranean Coast from The ISS

Southern Europe and The Northwestern Mediterranean Coast from The ISS

Handout - JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui captured this photo of southern Europe and the northwestern Mediterranean coast from the International Space Station as it orbited 261 miles above Earth on August 30, 2025. At left, the Po Valley urban corridor in Italy shines with the metropolitan areas of Milan and Turin and their surrounding suburbs. Crew members aboard the orbital lab have produced hundreds of thousands of images of the land, oceans, and atmosphere of Earth, and even of the Moon through Crew Earth Observations. Their photographs of Earth record how the planet changes over time due to human activity and natural events. This allows scientists to monitor disasters and direct response on the ground and study a number of phenomena, from the movement of glaciers to urban wildlife. Photo by JAXA/Kimiya Yui/NASA via ABACAPRESS.COM

GSDF mobilized to deal with bear attacks

GSDF mobilized to deal with bear attacks

Photo taken on Nov. 7, 2025, shows Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel in Kazuno in Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, mobilized to transport and set up bear traps amid a recent spate of bear attacks.

GSDF mobilized to deal with bear attacks

GSDF mobilized to deal with bear attacks

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel, accompanied by a hunter (C), prepare to set up a bear trap in Kazuno in Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Nov. 7, 2025, amid a recent spate of bear attacks.

GSDF to be sent to Akita Pref. to deal with bear attacks

GSDF to be sent to Akita Pref. to deal with bear attacks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi holds a press conference in Tokyo on Nov. 4, 2025, announcing a plan to dispatch Ground Self-Defense Force personnel to Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, amid a recent spate of bear attacks. The Defense Ministry said GSDF activities will be limited to logistics support including transporting bear traps and it will not deploy firearms.

Toyota opens basketball venue

TOKYO, Japan, Sept. 15 Kyodo - Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike and Toyota Motor Corp. Chairman Akio Toyoda pose for a photo at the opening ceremony of Toyota Arena Tokyo in the Japanese capital's Koto Ward on Sept. 15, 2025. The new venue, developed by the automaker and two of its subsidiaries, will be used as Alvark Tokyo's home ground from the upcoming season of Japanese basketball's top-flight B-League starting Oct. 3. (Kyodo)

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

SAGA, Japan, Sept. 7 Kyodo - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel line up on Sept. 7, 2025, during a ceremony marking the opening in July of Camp Saga, built in the city of Saga on the southwestern Japan main island of Kyushu to host the GSDF's fleet of Osprey transport aircraft. The 17 V-22 Osprey aircraft have already been transferred from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo. (Kyodo)

Japan-U.S. joint drill on Ishigaki Island

Japan-U.S. joint drill on Ishigaki Island

Photo taken on Sept. 17, 2025, shows the U.S. Marine Corps' missile systems -- the Marine Air Defense Integrated System, or MADIS (L and C), and the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, or NMESIS -- at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Ishigaki on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, deployed for the Sept. 11-25 Resolute Dragon Japan-U.S. joint exercise.

Japan-U.S. joint drill on Ishigaki Island

Japan-U.S. joint drill on Ishigaki Island

Photo taken on Sept. 17, 2025, shows the U.S. Marine Corps' missile systems -- the Marine Air Defense Integrated System, or MADIS (L and C), and the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, or NMESIS -- at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Ishigaki on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, deployed for the Sept. 11-25 Resolute Dragon Japan-U.S. joint exercise.

Japan-U.S. joint drill on Ishigaki Island

Japan-U.S. joint drill on Ishigaki Island

Photo taken from a drone shows the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Ishigaki on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, on Sept. 17, 2025, during the Sept. 11-25 Resolute Dragon joint exercise with the U.S. Marine Corps.

Japan-U.S. joint drill on Ishigaki Island

Japan-U.S. joint drill on Ishigaki Island

Photo taken from a drone shows the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Ishigaki on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, on Sept. 17, 2025, during the Sept. 11-25 Resolute Dragon joint exercise with the U.S. Marine Corps.

Japanese emperor's family in Nagasaki

Japanese emperor's family in Nagasaki

Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter, Princess Aiko, offer flowers at a cenotaph for atomic bomb victims at ground zero in the Nagasaki Peace Park in the southwestern Japan city of Nagasaki on Sept. 12, 2025.

Japanese emperor's family in Nagasaki

Japanese emperor's family in Nagasaki

Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter, Princess Aiko, offer flowers at a cenotaph for atomic bomb victims at ground zero in the Nagasaki Peace Park in the southwestern Japan city of Nagasaki on Sept. 12, 2025.

Japanese emperor's family in Nagasaki

Japanese emperor's family in Nagasaki

Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter, Princess Aiko, offer flowers at a cenotaph for atomic bomb victims at ground zero in the Nagasaki Peace Park in the southwestern Japan city of Nagasaki on Sept. 12, 2025.

Japanese emperor's family in Nagasaki

Japanese emperor's family in Nagasaki

Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter, Princess Aiko, offer flowers at a cenotaph for atomic bomb victims at ground zero in the Nagasaki Peace Park in the southwestern Japan city of Nagasaki on Sept. 12, 2025.

Japanese emperor's family in Nagasaki

Japanese emperor's family in Nagasaki

Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter, Princess Aiko, offer flowers at a cenotaph for atomic bomb victims at ground zero in the Nagasaki Peace Park in the southwestern Japan city of Nagasaki on Sept. 12, 2025.

Japanese emperor's family in Nagasaki

Japanese emperor's family in Nagasaki

Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter, Princess Aiko, offer flowers at a cenotaph for atomic bomb victims at ground zero in the Nagasaki Peace Park in the southwestern Japan city of Nagasaki on Sept. 12, 2025.

Japanese emperor's family in Nagasaki

Japanese emperor's family in Nagasaki

Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter, Princess Aiko, offer flowers at a cenotaph for atomic bomb victims at ground zero in the Nagasaki Peace Park in the southwestern Japan city of Nagasaki on Sept. 12, 2025.

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 7, 2025, shows the Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Saga in the city of Saga on the southwestern Japan main island of Kyushu. A ceremony marking the opening in July of the base, built to host the GSDF's fleet of V-22 Osprey aircraft, was held the same day, with the 17 aircraft already transferred from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 7, 2025, shows the Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Saga in the city of Saga on the southwestern Japan main island of Kyushu. A ceremony marking the opening in July of the base, built to host the GSDF's fleet of V-22 Osprey aircraft, was held the same day, with the 17 aircraft already transferred from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 7, 2025, shows V-22 Osprey transport aircraft deployed at the Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Saga in the city of Saga on the southwestern Japan main island of Kyushu. A ceremony marking the opening in July of the base, built to host the GSDF's fleet of V-22 Osprey aircraft, was held the same day, with the 17 aircraft already transferred from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 7, 2025, shows V-22 Osprey transport aircraft deployed at the Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Saga in the city of Saga on the southwestern Japan main island of Kyushu. A ceremony marking the opening in July of the base, built to host the GSDF's fleet of V-22 Osprey aircraft, was held the same day, with the 17 aircraft already transferred from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Sept. 7, 2025, shows V-22 Osprey transport aircraft (front) deployed at the Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Saga in the city of Saga on the southwestern Japan main island of Kyushu. A ceremony marking the opening in July of the base, built to host the GSDF's fleet of V-22 Osprey aircraft, was held the same day, with the 17 aircraft already transferred from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani (3rd from L) inspects the Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Saga on Sept. 7, 2025, as a ceremony was held the same day marking the opening in July of the camp, built in the city of Saga on the southwestern Japan main island of Kyushu to host its fleet of Osprey transport aircraft. The 17 V-22 Osprey aircraft have already been transferred from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani (front) is pictured at the Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Saga after boarding a V-22 Osprey transport aircraft on Sept. 7, 2025, as a ceremony was held the same day marking the opening in July of the camp, built in the city of Saga on the southwestern Japan main island of Kyushu to host its fleet of Osprey aircraft. The 17 V-22 Osprey aircraft have already been transferred from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel line up on Sept. 7, 2025, during a ceremony marking the opening in July of Camp Saga, built in the city of Saga on the southwestern Japan main island of Kyushu to host the GSDF's fleet of Osprey transport aircraft. The 17 V-22 Osprey aircraft have already been transferred from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Ceremony held in Saga to mark opening of Osprey base

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani speaks on Sept. 7, 2025, during a ceremony marking the opening in July of the Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Saga, built in the city of Saga on the southwestern Japan main island of Kyushu for its fleet of Osprey aircraft. The 17 V-22 Osprey aircraft have already been transferred from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

People watch the sea from higher ground in Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 30, 2025, after the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for the country's Pacific coast following a powerful earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

People watch the sea from higher ground in Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 30, 2025, after the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for the country's Pacific coast following a powerful earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

People watch the sea from higher ground in Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 30, 2025, after the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for the country's Pacific coast following a powerful earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

Police officers control traffic at higher ground leading to a swimming beach in Naraha in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 30, 2025, after the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for the country's Pacific coast following a powerful earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

Police officers control traffic at higher ground leading to a swimming beach in Naraha in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 30, 2025, after the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for the country's Pacific coast following a powerful earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

A man watches the sea from higher ground in Namie in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 30, 2025, after the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for the country's Pacific coast following a powerful earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

A man watches the sea from higher ground in Iwaki in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 30, 2025, after the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for the country's Pacific coast following a powerful earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

People watch the sea from higher ground in Iwaki in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 30, 2025, after the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for the country's Pacific coast following a powerful earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

People watch the sea from higher ground in Iwaki in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 30, 2025, after the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for the country's Pacific coast following a powerful earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

Tsunami warning issued in Japan

A road is jammed in Kushiro in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 30, 2025, as people evacuate to higher ground after the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for the country's Pacific coast following a powerful earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.

Taiwan rocket crashes in Hokkaido

Taiwan rocket crashes in Hokkaido

A rocket developed by jtSPACE Co., a Japanese arm of a Taiwanese aerospace company, lifts off from a spaceport in Taiki, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 12, 2025, before losing control and crashing to the ground.

Taiwan rocket crashes in Hokkaido

Taiwan rocket crashes in Hokkaido

A rocket developed by jtSPACE Co., a Japanese arm of a Taiwanese aerospace company, lifts off from a spaceport in Taiki, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on July 12, 2025, before losing control and crashing to the ground.