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GSDF unit clears snow from western Hokkaido town+
[January 14, 2006]

GSDF unit clears snow from western Hokkaido town+


(Japan Economic Newswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)SAPPORO, Jan. 15_(Kyodo) _ About 90 Ground Self-Defense Force troops Sunday began removing the snow engulfing the western Hokkaido town of Shakotan, northwest of Sapporo, the leader of the unit said.



The snow reached 263 centimeters at one location in the town, which has been rendered inaccessible to trucks and other large vehicles. The Shakotan Peninsula, where the town is located, protrudes into the Sea of Japan.

The troops were seen using shovels to remove the snow, which had reduced the town's roads to narrow tracks.


Lt. Col. Toshihiro Homma, the leader of the GSDF unit, said, "We hope to satisfy the expectations of townspeople as quickly as we can."

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