February 3rd, 2026 - At Least 30 Killed in Japan After Weeks of Intense Snowfall

Japan has been grappling with two weeks of heavy snowfall that has left at least 30 people dead and over 200 injured, according to the government. The worst-hit areas are in northern and western Japan, where the snow has caused fatal accidents, stranded travelers, and even buried people in their homes. The snowstorm has caused disruptions in public transportation, and thousands of passengers were left stranded at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido.

The snowfall has been particularly severe in Niigata Prefecture, where 12 people have died, and in Aomori, where snow accumulation reached 183 cm (72 inches) on Sunday, the highest since 1986. Emergency response efforts have been ramped up, with soldiers deployed to clear snow from roofs, particularly those of elderly residents, to prevent further fatalities. Despite the ongoing crisis, more snow is expected in the coming days, heightening concerns as Japan prepares for a general election this weekend.

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster) - Hornswoggle (verb, HORN-swah-gul) - To hornswoggle someone is to trick or deceive them.

Example: I think we were hornswoggled by that magician.

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