Record snowfall made driving tough for motorists in Japan this week. Blizzards and snowdrifts left 200 cars stranded on a highway in Fukui, on the Sea of Japan. The manager of a local Chinese restaurant, Keiichi Iwatani acted. He decided to feed those facing a night in freezing temperatures. He delivered hundreds of gyoza dumplings and omelettes to tired, worried and snowbound drivers. Co-workers helped to deliver the provisions to 300 relieved people.
Mr Iwatani spoke about his relief efforts. He saw the snow piling up and knew it would be a problem. Similar bad weather in 2018 stopped him from getting to work. He said: "I regretted not being able to help out then. I'm happy...people appreciated our efforts last night." He added: "I wanted to keep drivers warm, even for just a bit." One driver feared the worst when she got stuck in the snow. She said she was very happy when Mr Ishitani appeared.