The Japan Meteorological Agency reports that due to a winter pressure pattern and strong cold air aloft, snow continues to fall mainly along the Sea of Japan side. Areas such as the Tohoku region, Hokuriku, and Chugoku are experiencing heavy snow, with some regions seeing snow accumulation more than double the annual average.
The heavy snow has significantly impacted transportation, with the Yamagata Shinkansen suspending operations from the first train until around 11 AM due to snow. Additionally, the Tokaido Shinkansen is operating at reduced speeds between Nagoya and Maibara stations, causing delays.
Jimmy Carter's state funeral, held at the Washington National Cathedral, was attended by current and former U.S. presidents, including Joe Biden and Barack Obama, along with political and business leaders. Biden praised Carter as a visionary and a peacemaker, highlighting his efforts in conflict resolution and his Nobel Peace Prize.
A security flaw was identified in several Japanese government websites, including those of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The flaw allowed third parties to potentially misuse the government's domain names, which has since been corrected.
The trial of a man accused of fatally stabbing a 10-year-old Japanese schoolboy in China is set to begin on January 24. The case has caused significant concern among Japanese residents in China, with the Japanese government urging for a swift resolution and clarification of the incident.
In Japanese sports, Softbank's Kengo Kondo, last season's Pacific League batting champion and MVP, is focusing on injury prevention in his training. Additionally, the Japanese women's ice hockey team is preparing for the final Olympic qualification tournament in Hokkaido, aiming for a fourth consecutive Olympic appearance.