Rare heavy snow hits Tokyo

Parts of Japan have had their heaviest snow in decades. At least five people have been killed in snow and ice related accidents and around 600 have been injured across the country.

As much as 27cm of snow was recorded in Tokyo by late Saturday making it the heaviest fall in the capital for 45 years. Heavy snow warnings were issued for the first time here since 2001.

The wintry weather hit the capital on the eve of its gubernatorial election, delaying the set-up of some polling stations. We’ll have to wait to see whether there is any impact on voter turnout in the city of 13 million people.

The worst of the weather was across northeastern Honshu. Sendai saw 35cm of snow, the heaviest snow here in 78 years.

Around 1,000 flights were cancelled, and more than 20,000 households lost power at some stage over the weekend. Bullet trains were cancelled and some sections of the expressways were closed for a time.