According to fire officials, many of the deaths occurred while clearing snow.
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The Fire and Disaster Management Agency has reported that 35 people have died and 358 have been injured across the country due to heavy snowfall in Japan since January 20.
Japanese media reported casualties in Niigata, Akita, Yamagata, Hokkaido and Aomori prefectures, citing government officials.
In Japan's coastal Niigata prefecture alone, 12 people have died as of Wednesday. Fire officials said many of the deaths were while clearing snow. Sudden illness and hospitalizations due to the cold are continuing.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said the heavy snowfall was mainly due to the continuation of a cold front, with parts of the northern and western Sea of Japan under a blanket of snow.
Public broadcaster NHK said more than 4.3 metres of snow had fallen in some parts of Aomori prefecture, while parts of Niigata had around three metres. Kyodo News reported that the bad weather had damaged 14 residential buildings.
As temperatures rose across much of Japan, authorities are warning residents to be on the lookout for avalanches, snow from roofs and traffic disruptions.
