More heavy snow expected in Japan after 800 vehicles trapped on expressway

TOKYO (AP) — Weather officials in Japan predicted more heavy snow Thursday, a day after nearly 800 vehicles were trapped for fours on an expressway in central Japan. The 4-mile traffic jam happened after two trailers got stuck in the snow. Soldiers were called in Wednesday to clear the snow. Japan’s Meteorological Agency said as much as 60 centimeters, or 2 feet, of snow could fall in the Tohoku region through Friday, according to Japan’s Kyodo news agency, with heavy snow also expected on the northern island of Hokkaido and in other areas. The traffic jam occurred on the Meishin Expressway in Gifu prefecture. Two children in a stranded vehicle became sick and were taken to a hospital, Kyodo reported.