ASAHIKAWA, Hokkaido -- The 61st Asahikawa Winter Festival began Feb. 6 right on schedule despite snow shortage fears, but saw fewer foreign visitors on-hand for the opening than usual amid the new ...

Asahikawa Winter Festival. Date: February 6 – 11. Known as the second-largest winter festival in Japan, the Asahikawa Winter Festival captivates visitors with its grand snow sculptures and ice art.

There are now signs the cluster crisis is "peaking out," said Yasutaka Kakinoki, a hematologist at Asahikawa City Hospital. That's a relief, he said by phone, as staff have been pushed to the ...