A devastating multi-vehicle collision on a major Japanese expressway has resulted in one fatality and left 26 people injured, casting a shadow over the country's start to the year-end holiday period.
Chaos on the Kan-etsu Expressway
The incident occurred late on Friday, 26 December 2025, on the Kan-etsu Expressway in the town of Minakami, Gunma Prefecture, approximately 160 kilometres northwest of Tokyo. According to the Gunma prefectural highway police, the initial cause was a collision between two trucks.
This blockage created a deadly chain reaction. With heavy snow affecting the road surface, following vehicles were unable to brake in time, leading to a catastrophic pileup. Police confirmed that more than 50 vehicles were ultimately involved in the accident.
Fire and Fatalities Amidst the Wreckage
The chaos was compounded when a fire broke out at the rear of the collision. The flames spread to more than a dozen vehicles, with some being completely burned out. Remarkably, no one was injured by the fire, which took firefighters around seven hours to fully extinguish.
Tragically, the crash claimed the life of a 77-year-old woman from Tokyo. Of the 26 injured, five were reported to be in a serious condition. The severe weather played a critical role, as a heavy snow warning was in effect at the time of the crash, coinciding with the beginning of travel for the New Year holidays.
Ongoing Investigation and Travel Disruption
The aftermath of the crash caused significant disruption. Sections of the vital expressway remained closed on Saturday 27 December to allow for a police investigation, as well as the removal and cleaning of the extensive wreckage.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of driving in severe winter conditions, particularly during periods of high traffic volume like the holiday season. Authorities continue to investigate the precise sequence of events that led to Japan's latest major road traffic accident.
