The death toll from snow-related accidents rose to 104 since December when a fisherman in Otaru, Hokkaido, drowned after falling overboard Thursday probably during snow removal efforts around the port, according to a Kyodo News survey.
Takeshi Matsuyama, 73, was found dead near his fishing boat in Shioya port in the afternoon. The Japan Coast Guard at Otaru said they believe Matsuyama accidentally fell into the water while trying to remove snow from his boat.
A snow shovel was found floating in the water nearby and a local diver found his body lying on the seabed.