Heavy snow injures 169 in Japan

At least 169 people were injured in Kanto area, which includes Tokyo, after heavy snow hit eastern and northern Japan early on Monday.

According toa report filed by Japanese broadcaster NHK, some 8,400 households also suffered a power blackout due to the snow.

The snow, which was caused by a rapidly developing low pressure system, also disrupted traffic and trapped early commuters in the regions. Some parts of the expressway have been closed, flights have been cancelled and the Shinkansen bullet train services have been suspended, the report said.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said that Chichibu city in Saitama Prefecture received 32 centimeters of snow, while Matsumoto city in Nagano Prefecture received 31 centimeters of snow.

The weather agency had forecasted that up to 80 centimeters of snow would fall in the Tohoku region and 60 centimeters n Hokkaido, Hokuriku and Tokai areas over the 24 hours through 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Some 200 domestic flights have been cancelled or delayed as of 3:30 p.m. local time.