Heavy snow in Japan disrupts flights and trains and closes roads

Japanese authorities and companies said that heavy snow in many parts of Japan on Friday caused the cancellation of 100 flights, closed dozens of roads and disrupted railway services.

Domestic airlines including ANA, Japan Airlines and others canceled a total of 100 flights due to the snow until noon, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

The ministry added that parts of 31 expressways in central and eastern Japan were closed, while 54 exits of major highways in central Tokyo were closed.

The ministry also said that services on more than 12 train tracks in central and eastern Japan have stopped or are planned to.

East Japan Railways, the country’s largest train operator, said a high-speed train service between Tokyo and Yamagata Prefecture would be halted later in the day.

Major delivery service companies, including Yamato Transport and Sagawa Express, said their services could be delayed until Saturday.