A massive crash on a highway in Japan kills 1 person and injures 26 as the holiday season starts

One person died and 26 were injured in a devastating multi-vehicle pileup on a snow-covered Japanese expressway Friday night, as holiday travelers faced treacherous winter conditions at the start of the year-end vacation period.

The chain-reaction crash, which ultimately involved more than 50 vehicles, began with a collision between two trucks on the Kan-etsu Expressway in Minakami, approximately 160 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, according to the Gunma prefectural highway police.

A 77-year-old woman from Tokyo was killed in the accident. Among the 26 people injured, five suffered serious injuries, police officials confirmed Saturday.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as vehicles approaching the initial crash site were unable to stop on the slippery road surface. The heavy snowfall that had prompted weather warnings throughout the region significantly reduced visibility and traction, creating dangerous driving conditions during one of Japan’s busiest travel periods.

“The road conditions deteriorated rapidly as the snow intensified,” said one highway patrol officer who requested anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak publicly. “Many drivers couldn’t react quickly enough when they encountered the initial accident.”

The situation worsened when a fire broke out at the far end of the pileup. Flames spread to more than a dozen vehicles, completely destroying some of them. Emergency responders battled the blaze for approximately seven hours before finally extinguishing it. Remarkably, no additional injuries were reported from the fire.

Dramatic footage captured by witnesses showed thick black smoke billowing from burning vehicles against the stark white landscape, as emergency personnel worked frantically to rescue trapped motorists and contain the fire.

The accident occurred during the beginning of Japan’s traditional “nenmatsu nenshi” holiday period, when millions of people travel across the country to visit family or vacation destinations. The timing made the expressway particularly crowded, compounding the severity of the incident.

Japan’s meteorological agency had issued severe weather warnings for the region earlier in the day, advising motorists to exercise extreme caution or postpone travel plans if possible. Central Japan’s mountainous areas, including Gunma Prefecture where the accident occurred, are known for receiving heavy snowfall and experiencing rapidly changing weather conditions.

Transportation safety experts note that multi-vehicle pileups become increasingly common during winter months in Japan, particularly on expressways where higher speeds leave drivers with less reaction time when encountering sudden hazards.

“This tragic incident highlights the dangers of winter driving, especially during peak travel periods,” said Takashi Yamamoto, a transportation safety analyst with the Japan Road Safety Council. “Even modern vehicles with advanced safety features can be overwhelmed in these conditions.”

Local officials closed substantial portions of the Kan-etsu Expressway following the accident. As of Saturday afternoon, sections remained shut down as investigators documented the scene, and crews worked to clear wreckage and debris from the roadway.

The Japan Road Traffic Information Center advised travelers to expect significant delays and to consider alternative routes or transportation methods. Railway operators reported increased passenger volumes as some travelers opted to switch from driving to train travel in response to the accident and ongoing weather concerns.

Police are continuing to investigate the exact sequence of events that led to the massive pileup, including reviewing dashcam footage from vehicles involved and interviewing survivors. Authorities have not yet determined if any drivers will face charges related to the incident.

The accident serves as a somber reminder of the hazards winter weather poses to holiday travelers throughout Japan’s mountainous regions, where sudden snowstorms can transform highways into treacherous zones within minutes.