Record levels of snowfall made driving tough for hundreds of motorists in Japan this week. Blizzards, snowdrifts and frozen roads left 200 cars stranded on a highway in Fukui, on the Sea of Japan. This made the manager of a branch of a local Chinese restaurant act and help. Keiichi Iwatani, 39, decided to feed those facing a night in sub-zero temperatures. He delivered hundreds of gyoza dumplings, fried rice and omelettes to tired, anxious and snowbound drivers. Seven workers helped him to deliver the provisions throughout the night to 300 relieved people.
Mr Iwatani told a newspaper about his relief efforts. He said he saw the snow piling up and knew it would be a problem. Similar bad weather hit in 2018 and the snow stopped him from getting to work. He said: "I regretted not being able to help out three years ago. 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 Ishitani appeared. Another driver shared a traditional Fukui rice sweet with her, which made her happier.