On January 8, this area recorded Japan's most severe weather conditions.

At Cape Soya in Hokkaido, winds blew with a maximum gust of 28 meters per second, reducing visibility to near whiteout conditions and creating a hazardous situation.

A powerful winter storm continues to lash northern Japan.

The second-strongest winds recorded in Japan that day were observed on—
Tobishima Island, Yamagata Prefecture, where an unusual situation is now unfolding.

Tobishima Island resident
“For 16 consecutive days, all ferry services have been canceled.”

The regular ferry Tobishima, the only means of transportation connecting Tobishima Island with Sakata Port on the main island of Honshu, has been suspended for 16 consecutive days starting December 24 due to strong winds and high waves—tying the longest suspension on record.

As a result—

Tobishima Island resident
“The problem is food. All deliveries have stopped.”

Some residents are reportedly running low on food and are sharing food supplies with one another while waiting for ferry services to resume.

According to the Sakata Coast Guard Office, on January 6 it received an emergency request from a clinic on Tobishima Island, saying that medical supplies were close to running out.

In response, the 2nd Regional Coast Guard Headquarters delivered medicine and other supplies to Tobishima Island by helicopter on the 7th.

Sakata City’s regular ferry operator says that strong winds and rough seas are expected to continue for about another week, raising concerns that the service suspension could last longer.

Strong northerly winds also swept through Tokyo.

NTV Reporter
“The rain gutters are shaking in the wind.”

NTV Reporter
“Several bicycles have been knocked over.”

A maximum wind gust of 14.4 meters per second was recorded.

A couple came here for a pre-wedding photo shoot.
Braving the cold winds, they took off their coats for the shoot.

Suddenly—

NTV Reporter
“Oh no! The coat!”

Bride-to-be
“It’s so cold…”

As midwinter cold continues—

Another unusual trend is emerging involving influenza.
Many patients visited a clinic in Tokyo.

Clinic Director
“You tested positive for influenza A.”

Clinic Director
“Influenza A.”

In addition to Type A cases—

Clinic Director
“You tested positive for influenza B.”
“You're positive for influenza B. That’s unusual for this time of year.”

Many of the patients had influenza B

Ito Oji-kamiya clinic Director: Ito Hiromichi
“Influenza B is behaving unusually this year. Normally, we start seeing B-type cases in late February, but from late December through early January, we’ve already had a higher-than-normal number. Right now, both influenza A and B are circulating simultaneously, and overall infections are gradually increasing.”

He notes that influenza B appears to have started spreading earlier than usual, seemingly following the early and widespread outbreak of influenza A.

As a result, cases like this are also being seen.

Clinic Director
“You’ve had influenza twice in about a month.”

Director: Ito Hiromichi
“Because the season started early, people are getting infected once in the fall and then again during the peak winter season, when it’s colder and drier; we’re seeing more second infections.”

Severe winter conditions are expected to continue particularly across northern Japan.