In the run-up to the end-of-year cold wave that begins on the 27th, roads have frozen in northern Japan. Bus routes have temporarily stopped running, and other traffic problems have also been affected. ■Traffic affected by frozen roads A market in Aomori City. There is a wide selection of tuna, scallops, and sockeye salmon, which is essential for New Year's. A shopper (88) said, "My daughter said, 'We don't have this kind of cod in Tokyo.' If I don't send it today, I won't be able to eat it for New Year's." The cold wave that lasted until the 24th has passed, and although the store was able to make purchases for the New Year's holidays in time, the store is worried about the weather going forward. Sato Tori Maguro Store Director Sato Yoshikatsu: "They said they couldn't go out (fishing) 10 days ago." "(Q. What is the outlook for product lineup?) I don't know. If there isn't any, we'll just have to close." In the northern regions, the cold has subsided and the snow is melting. Changes have been seen in the road conditions, and caution is required. Traffic has been halted due to frozen roads. Kushiro City, Hokkaido. A woman waiting for a bus was in trouble. A woman said, "For some reason, the number 3 bus never came." The reason for the bus not coming was the frozen roads. For safety reasons, all routes were temporarily suspended from the first bus. A bus user said, "It was really tough. I was worried that I would get hurt because it was slippery." In the Kushiro area, there were a number of slip accidents due to frozen roads. The cold wave has also subsided in Aomori City, with temperatures rising by about 2°C from the 25th. The air is warm, and the snow is mixed with rain. Compared to the roads on the 23rd, which were hit by a cold wave, the snow has turned into slush on the 26th, and residents are driving carefully. A resident said, "It's a mess. I lost control of the steering wheel and ended up on someone else's property and couldn't get out, so I had to reverse and move forward repeatedly to get out." ■ "End of year cold wave" starts tomorrow Tokyo today is as cold as November Meanwhile, in the Kanto region, temperatures are rising sharply due to the warm air above. Tokyo is as warm as late November, encouraging people to go out. A shrine in Shinagawa, Tokyo was bustling. The white snake, the zodiac animal for next year, is enshrined here. Natsumi Sunaga, deputy chief priest at Hebi-kubo Shrine, said, "Today is the last day of the year. I think everyone is coming to worship." As it is an auspicious day, the snake-themed red seals are gaining in popularity. A person in their 80s said, "Next year, I will be the oldest man in the year. I will be 84 years old." A person in their 50s said, "The weather is nice and it feels good to go out." "(Q: What if it's cold today?) I don't think they'll come." However, this warmth is only temporary. Another cold wave is expected to hit from the 27th. [TV Asahi News] https://news.tv-asahi.co.jp