Snow and freezing cold may shape outcome of Japan’s snap general election

Snow piles up in Sapporo, in Japan, where the call to hold an election amid bitter weather has sparked fears of a low turnout. Photograph: Shutterstock

Frozen extremities are one of several obstacles facing voters in Japan as they prepare to cast their ballots at next month’s snap general election.

The vote, called by the prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, less than four months after taking office, will be held in the middle of a winter that has seen record snowfall in parts of the country, prompting concern about a low turnout.