When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Record levels snowfall made the going tough hundreds of motorists Japan earlier this week. Blizzards, snowdrifts and frozen roads left 200 cars stranded a highway in Fukui Prefecture, the Sea of Japan. This spurred the manager of a branch a local Chinese restaurant, Gyoza Ohsho, to get going. Keiichi Iwatani, 39, decided to feed those faced spending the night in sub-zero temperatures. He delivered hundreds gyoza dumplings, fried rice and crab omelettes to weary, anxious and snowbound drivers. Seven employees helped him to deliver the provisions foot the night to 300 hungry and relieved people.
Mr Iwatani talked his relief efforts to the Mainichi newspaper. He said he saw the snow accumulating and knew there would be problems. He said similar adverse weather hit 2018 and the snow stopped him getting to work. He said: "I regretted not being able to help three years ago. I'm happy that many people appreciated our efforts last night." He added: "I wanted to keep drivers warm, even just a bit." Many drivers were appreciative his efforts. Yuki Yamashita, 23, feared the worst when she got stuck the snow. She said when Ishitani appeared, he restored her faith humanity. A fellow driver shared some Habutae mochi - a traditional Fukui rice confection - with her to reinforce that faith.
