TOKYO (AFP) - The military has been called to the rescue in Japan following unusually heavy snowfall that has killed at least 70 people since the start of winter, according to the latest report released on Monday.
The army has intervened in recent days to help clear towns threatened with isolation.
Snow has fallen in large flakes since early December over the west and north of the Archipelago, considerably disrupting transport, and the national meteorology has warned of the risks of avalanches and traffic difficulties.
On the other hand, Tokyo, the largest megalopolis in the world (30 million inhabitants), has been untouched by bad weather so far.