Japan is bracing for heavy snowstorms and extreme cold that authorities warn could affect campaigning and voter turnout just days before the country heads to its first mid-winter general election in more than three decades.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has forecast snowfall of up to 70cm in parts of the Hokuriku region and 60cm in the Kansai area by Friday, with temperatures plunging to as low as -23C in the northern districts.
