Disaster] Logistics Infrastructure Collapses as “Linear Snowfall Belt” Occurs, Major Transportation Networks and Capital Cities Fail, “Japan Stops”.

Japan is suffering from heavy snowfall. The cause is a “linear snowfall zone. Professor Yoshihiro Tachibana of the Graduate School of Mie University, who specializes in meteorology, explains.

This is a phenomenon in which cold air converges and snow clouds develop. Cold air from the Arctic is split by the Changbai Mountains at the base of the Korean Peninsula. After diverting to the east and west, they converge (merge) in the Sea of Japan. The convergence strengthens the updrafts and turns the water vapor evaporated in the Sea of Japan into snow clouds, causing heavy snowfall.

There are other factors as well. Tachibana continues.

There are other factors,” Tachibana continues, “warm currents bringing warm ocean water from the Philippines and last summer’s heat wave. As a result, the sea water temperature in the Sea of Japan in December 2010 was 1 to 3 degrees Celsius higher than normal. The warm seawater came into contact with the cold air and generated a large amount of water vapor, resulting in record-breaking heavy snowfall.”

In December ’22, not only the Sea of Japan side but also Tokushima and Kochi recorded the highest snowfall in recorded history. If global warming continues further, the amount of snowfall this winter will increase further. If global warming continues, the amount of snowfall will increase further this winter, and most of Japan may be buried under heavy snowfall.

The extent of the heavy snowfall may extend to the Pacific side of the country. Particular attention should be paid to the Tokai and Kinki regions. There are no high mountains along the route from Wakasa Bay to the southeast, so snow clouds can easily enter the area.

If heavy snow falls in the Tokai region, major transportation networks will be disrupted. Mr. Tachibana said, “This area has a lot of highways, expressways, and roads.

Tachibana said, “There are expressways and Shinkansen bullet trains in this area. If the logistics infrastructure stops, the economic damage would be immeasurable.

The archipelago will be divided into east and west, and the functions of the capital city will fail. The day when Japan stops is now a reality.

From the January 20 and 27, 2023 issues of FRIDAY