Record-breaking snowfall in northern Japan/SCRENGRAB
Heavy snowfall is disrupting traffic and air travel in Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido.
Around 370 schools were also reported closed on Tuesday as a result of the snow.
A record-breaking 1.2m (4ft) of snow fell in just 12 hours in the city of Obihiro.
Low pressure will continue to bring blizzards to parts of northern Japan for the next five days.
Half a metre of snow will fall widely but the mountains of Honshu could see more than two metres (6.5ft).
The snowfall comes just as a popular snow festival begins in Sapporo in southern Hokkaido, although the city is not facing major disruptions.
