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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

A board with posters of candidates for the House of Representatives election stands in the snow in Otaru in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2026.

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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

A board with posters of candidates for the House of Representatives election stands in the snow in Otaru in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2026.

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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

A board with posters of candidates for the House of Representatives election stands in the snow in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 6, 2026.

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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

A board with posters of candidates for the House of Representatives election stands in the snow in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 6, 2026.

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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

People head to a polling station for the House of Representatives election in Otaru in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2026.

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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

People head to a polling station for the House of Representatives election in Otaru in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2026.

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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

People head to a polling station for the House of Representatives election in Otaru in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2026.

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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

People head to a polling station for the House of Representatives election in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2026.

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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

People head to a polling station for the House of Representatives election in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2026.

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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

People head to a polling station for the House of Representatives election in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Feb. 8, 2026.

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Sapporo Snow Festival

SAPPORO, Japan, Feb. 4 Kyodo - People view a snow sculpture of a cake on Feb. 4, 2026, the opening day of the 76th Sapporo Snow Festival in the capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan. About 2 million people are expected to visit the event through Feb. 11 featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures. (Kyodo)

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Japan: Heavy Snow Paralyzes Aomori as Record Accumulation Piles Up

A series of strong cold air masses brought heavy snowfall to northern Japan from January 21 through February 2. According to authorities, a total of 30 people have died across the region since January 20 due to snow-related incidents. In Aomori City, numerous vehicles were left stranded by the snow, causing traffic congestion in many areas. Snow accumulation reached 178 centimeters on February 2—about 2.6 times the seasonal average—prompting the closure of all public elementary and junior high schools in the city.

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Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

People view a snow sculpture of a cake on Feb. 4, 2026, the opening day of the 76th Sapporo Snow Festival in the capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan. About 2 million people are expected to visit the event through Feb. 11 featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures.

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Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

People view a snow sculpture of a cake on Feb. 4, 2026, the opening day of the 76th Sapporo Snow Festival in the capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan. About 2 million people are expected to visit the event through Feb. 11 featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures.

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Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

The 76th Sapporo Snow Festival opens in the capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan on Feb. 4, 2026, with about 2 million people expected to visit the event featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures through Feb. 11.

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Japan: Record January Snowfall Hits Aomori, Disrupting Traffic and Trains

On January 28, Aomori City recorded 150 centimeters of snowfall for the first time in 40 years, causing traffic congestion across the city and a series of train service suspensions. Snow depth reached 154 centimeters by 9 p.m., tying for the second-highest January total on record, last seen on January 30, 1986. According to Aomori Prefecture, as of 2 p.m. on January 29, two people had died and 85 others were injured, while damage was confirmed at four residential properties. The video captures conditions in Aomori City on the morning of January 29, showing the extent of the heavy snowfall.

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Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, makes a stump speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

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Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, makes a stump speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

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Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, makes a stump speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

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Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, makes a stump speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

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Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi makes a speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began in Japan the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

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Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi makes a speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began in Japan the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

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General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi makes a speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began in Japan the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

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[Breaking News]Icefall festival in Hokkaido

KAMIKAWA, Japan, Jan. 25 Kyodo - An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8. (Kyodo)

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Heavy snow in Hokkaido

Heavy snow in Hokkaido

People walk near the Sapporo Clock Tower in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026, following heavy snowfall.

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Heavy snow in Hokkaido

Heavy snow in Hokkaido

People cross a street in a downtown area of Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026, following heavy snowfall.

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Heavy snow in Hokkaido

Heavy snow in Hokkaido

People walk on a street in a downtown area of Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026, following heavy snowfall.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Nika Prevc (C) of Slovenia poses after winning the World Cup women's ski jumping gold at Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Sapporo, northern Japan, on Jan. 25, 2026, alongside silver medalist Abigail Strate (L) of Canada and bronze medalist Heidi Dyhre Traaserud of Norway.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Heidi Dyhre Traaserud of Norway competes en route to winning the World Cup women's ski jumping bronze at Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Sapporo, northern Japan, on Jan. 25, 2026.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Nika Prevc of Slovenia competes en route to winning the World Cup women's ski jumping gold at Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Sapporo, northern Japan, on Jan. 25, 2026.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Abigail Strate of Canada competes en route to winning the World Cup women's ski jumping silver at Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Sapporo, northern Japan, on Jan. 25, 2026.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Abigail Strate of Canada competes en route to winning the World Cup women's ski jumping silver at Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Sapporo, northern Japan, on Jan. 25, 2026.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Anna Odine Stroem of Norway competes en route to winning the World Cup women's ski jumping bronze at Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Sapporo, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Abigail Strate of Canada competes en route to winning the World Cup women's ski jumping silver at Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Sapporo, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Nika Prevc (C) of Slovenia poses after winning the World Cup women's ski jumping gold at Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Sapporo, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026, alongside silver medalist Abigail Strate (L) of Canada and bronze medalist Anna Odine Stroem of Norway.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Nika Prevc (R) of Slovenia celebrates after winning the World Cup women's ski jumping gold at Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Sapporo, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026.

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Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Ski jumping: World Cup in Sapporo

Nika Prevc of Slovenia competes en route to winning the World Cup women's ski jumping gold at Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium in Sapporo, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026.

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Icefall festival in Hokkaido

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8.

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Icefall festival in Hokkaido

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8.

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Icefall festival in Hokkaido

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8.

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Icefall festival in Hokkaido

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8.

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Icefall festival in Hokkaido

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8.

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Northern Japan chapel made of ice

SHIMUKAPPU, Japan, Jan. 21 Kyodo - Video taken on Jan. 20, 2026, in Shimukappu, a northern Japan village where winter temperatures can fall as low as minus 30 C, shows a chapel where the ceiling, walls, altar and cross are made of ice. (Kyodo)

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Frozen lake in northern Japan

Frozen lake in northern Japan

Bubbles trapped within the ice are visible on the frozen surface of the man-made Lake Nukabira in Kamishihoro in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 22, 2026. These "ice bubbles" form when methane gas rises from the lake and becomes sealed in as the water freezes.

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Frozen lake in northern Japan

Frozen lake in northern Japan

Bubbles trapped within the ice are visible on the frozen surface of the man-made Lake Nukabira in Kamishihoro in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 22, 2026. These "ice bubbles" form when methane gas rises from the lake and becomes sealed in as the water freezes.

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Frozen lake in northern Japan

Frozen lake in northern Japan

Bubbles trapped within the ice are visible on the frozen surface of the man-made Lake Nukabira in Kamishihoro in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 22, 2026. These "ice bubbles" form when methane gas rises from the lake and becomes sealed in as the water freezes.

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Frozen lake in northern Japan

Frozen lake in northern Japan

Bubbles trapped within the ice are visible on the frozen surface of the man-made Lake Nukabira in Kamishihoro in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 22, 2026. These "ice bubbles" form when methane gas rises from the lake and becomes sealed in as the water freezes.

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Japan: Heavy Snow and Strong Winds Affect Northern Regions 2

Snowfall and strong winds affected parts of Hokkaido and the Tohoku region on Tuesday, January 20, as a low-pressure system moved across northern Japan. Snow accumulated rapidly in some areas, while gusty winds led to reduced visibility and difficult travel conditions, particularly along the Sea of Japan coast.

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Japan: Heavy Snow and Strong Winds Affect Northern Regions 3

Snowfall and strong winds affected parts of Hokkaido and the Tohoku region on Tuesday, January 20, as a low-pressure system moved across northern Japan. Snow accumulated rapidly in some areas, while gusty winds led to reduced visibility and difficult travel conditions, particularly along the Sea of Japan coast.

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Japan: Heavy Snow and Strong Winds Affect Northern Regions

Snowfall and strong winds affected parts of Hokkaido and the Tohoku region on Tuesday, January 20, as a low-pressure system moved across northern Japan. Snow accumulated rapidly in some areas, while gusty winds led to reduced visibility and difficult travel conditions, particularly along the Sea of Japan coast.

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