The Mainichi Shimbun answers some common questions readers may have about closures and opening date delays at ski resorts across Japan as climate change may affect not only the amount of snow but also the quality.

Question: How bad is the situation with ski resort business closures in Japan?

Answer: According to corporate credit research firm Teikoku Databank Ltd., seven ski resort operators went bankrupt in 2023 -- tying the record number over the past 10 years that was recorded in 2020 when the tourism industry was devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking at 2023 alone, the main cause of closures was the lack of snow. Some ski resorts ended up postponing the opening period for the season or closed down certain areas.

Q: Don't ski resorts attract a lot of foreign visitors to Japan?

A: Yes. The light, fine "powder snow" in Japan is globally renowned for its excellent skiing quality, a well-known example being the Niseko area of Hokkaido. The region has attracted a number of accommodation and dining establishments catering to inbound tourists, which generate significant economic benefits.

At the same time, Japan's domestic ski and snowboard population has been steadily decreasing, and for ski resorts where visitor numbers are dwindling, a lack of snow has become a serious threat to business operations.

Q: Are people concerned?

In a June news program, Sara Takanashi, a bronze medalist in women's ski jumping at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, remarked that if snow continues to decline, the sport "might eventually become a summer event." Beijing, which has hosted both the winter and summer Olympic Games, used mostly artificial snow in the 2022 Winter Olympics due to limited natural snowfall.

Q: Is global warming involved?

A: Yes. Japan Meteorological Agency data shows that, since the 1960s, the maximum annual snow depth has generally been decreasing nationwide. Additionally, extreme snowfall events, such as sudden, heavy snow, are believed to be linked to climate change.

Q: What about in Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido?

A: Global warming may affect not only the quantity but also the quality of snow. The quality depends on temperature and humidity as snow crystals fall to the ground. A study by a team of scientists from Hokkaido University and other institutions suggests that with continued global warming, Hokkaido's snow could become heavier and wetter, which could ultimately render its famous powder snow a rare phenomenon.

(Japanese original by Yui Takahashi, Lifestyle, Science & Environment News Department)