The record snowfall that hit eastern Japan over the Feb. 15-16 weekend continued to leave thousands of people stranded in remote towns in the Kanto, Tohoku and other regions Feb. 17.
In Hayakawa, Yamanashi Prefecture, the closure of a highway has cut off some 1,200 residents, the town office said.
Contractors removing the snow hope to reopen the road as soon as possible, but things have not gone smoothly due to the record depth of the snow, a town official said.
The prefecture saw 100 cm of snow over the weekend. (Kyodo)
2月15、16日に降った記録的な大雪の影響で、関東や東北の各地で道路や交通機関の除雪作業が進まず、数千人が孤立した。
The Japan Times ST: February 28, 2014