Resident in northern Japan plows pathway snow

Resident in northern Japan plows pathway snow

KITAMI, Japan - A resident in Kitami on the northernmost main island of Hokkaido plows snow on a pathway on Dec. 17, 2014, amid a snowstorm. Heavy snowfalls hit various parts of Japan this week.

Heavy snow hits wide areas of Japan

Heavy snow hits wide areas of Japan

KITAMI, Japan - A local resident works to remove snow on a road during a snowstorm on Dec. 17, 2014, in Kitami in Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido. The weather agency warned of strong winds with heavy snow across the coastal areas of northern to western Japan the same day.

Curling mecca opens in Kitami, Hokkaido

Curling mecca opens in Kitami, Hokkaido

KITAMI, Japan - People enjoy curling at the Advics Tokoro Curling Hall in the town of Tokoro in Kitami, Hokkaido, on Jan. 16, 2014. The hall is a refurbished Mecca for the sport opened in November 2013.

Japan general election

Japan general election

KITAMI, Japan - Kenko Matsuki, acting leader of the New Party Daichi, makes a stump speech in Kitami, Hokkaido, on Dec. 4, 2012, after official campaigning began for the Dec. 16, 2012, general election. Party leader Muneo Suzuki cannot engage in election campaigns because his civil rights have been suspended following his conviction for bribery.

Japan general election

Japan general election

KITAMI, Japan - Kenko Matsuki, acting leader of the New Party Daichi, makes a stump speech in Kitami, Hokkaido, on Dec. 4, 2012, after official campaigning began for the Dec. 16, 2012, general election. Party leader Muneo Suzuki cannot engage in election campaigns because his civil rights have been suspended following his conviction for bribery.

Ex-LDP No. 2 man Takebe narrowly wins reelection

Ex-LDP No. 2 man Takebe narrowly wins reelection

KITAMI, Japan - Tsutomu Takebe, a former secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, bows to supporters in Kitami, Hokkaido, on Aug. 30 after losing in the No. 12 single-seat constituency of Hokkaido in the House of Representatives election. But Takebe regained a lower house seat in the proportional representation block.

Hokkaido city grows hemp to promote economic development

Hokkaido city grows hemp to promote economic development

SAPPORO, Japan - Hidetaro Funayama (far R) explains to Kitami city officials how his group grows hemp without a narcotic component for production of industrial materials in Kitami, Hokkaido, on July 11, 2008.

3 die due to apparent gas leak in Hokkaido, citizens evacuate

3 die due to apparent gas leak in Hokkaido, citizens evacuate

KITAMI, Japan - Gas company officials examine a gas pipe in the residential area in the city of Kitami, Hokkaido, on Jan. 19 after three people died in an apparent gas leak there.