Heavy snowfall disrupted transport across Hokkaido, leaving about 7,000 passengers stranded overnight at New Chitose Airport. Authorities said at least 56 flights and around 500 train services linking the airport with major cities were canceled, affecting roughly 130,000 people. Snow depth in Sapporo reached 54 centimeters in 24 hours, the highest recorded so far this January. Separately, the Japan Fire and Disaster Management Agency confirmed four deaths nationwide linked to snow-clearing accidents.