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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Record heavy snowfall affects local municipalities in the north

In Sagae City, Yamagata Prefecture, where over 1 meter of snow has fallen in urban areas since late December for the first time in 36 years, Japanese Communist Party assembly members requested that the city government take measures as swiftly as possible to prevent snow-related accidents.

The Japanese archipelago since December has been under a severe cold wave, and more than 50 people have died and 700 been injured.

Local governments in snow-ridden districts have already used up their budgets for removing snow, and they are desperately calling on the central government for assistance.

In Tsunan Town, Niigata Prefecture, up to 3.7 meters of snow has fallen and bus services were stopped. Snow slides may occur at any time and removing snow from house roofs is a tough job, especially for elderly people in the town.

Yamagata City in Yamagata Prefecture has already spent all of its 335 million yen budget for snow removal. A snowfall of over 10 centimeters requires 250 snowplows to be operated, costing 50 million yen each.
- Akahata, January 7, 2006