Japan's Meteorological Agency is warning of possible eruptions for the Beyonesu Rocks or Bayonnaise Rocks, a small volcano in the Pacific Ocean, hundreds of kilometers off the coast of Tokyo.

Railway officials in western Japan say they will get to the bottom of the problems that resulted in trains being left stranded for hours in heavy snowfall.

Heavy snow in central and western Japan has left vehicles stranded over a 10-kilometer stretch of expressway between Nagoya and Kyoto.

Japanese weather officials warn that the coldest air mass of this winter is expected to bring heavy snow to the Sea of Japan coast and some areas on the Pacific side of the country from Tuesday.

Japanese weather officials are warning of possible severe snowstorms this weekend, mainly in the northern part of the country along the Sea of Japan.

A Japanese government panel met on Thursday in Tokyo to discuss the country's birthrate, which is now falling at a record pace.

Parts of Japan, mainly along the Sea of Japan coast, have been hit by heavy snow due to a winter pressure pattern. People removing snow from rooftops should exercise caution.

Weather officials say snow is intensifying over wide areas of Japan, especially along the Sea of Japan coast in northern and western regions of the country.

The number of births in Japan is continuing to shrink at a record pace.

Japan's northern areas are experiencing heavy snow. Weather officials are urging people to stay alert for avalanches and traffic disruptions.

The Japanese arm of Warner Bros. Entertainment says an amusement facility themed on the Harry Potter films will open in Tokyo's Nerima Ward next summer.

For the first time in 12 years, Japan's education ministry has revised its guidelines for teachers on how to instruct students about their behavior. The guidelines call for schools to review their rules frequently to prevent excessively strict guidance.