The storm caused two-meter-high (six-and-a-half-feet) drifts and was blamed for derailing a bullet train in Akita prefecture, south of Hokkaido, on Saturday afternoon.

NPR: Snow Kills 8 In Japan, Including Family In Car

Robert Crais: I had a big Akita, Yoshi, who was fabulous.

CNN: Novelist loses a dog, finds a heroine in 'Suspect'

The article cited an analysis by a professor in Akita University that used generational accounting methodology to calculate the financial burden being placed on the next, unborn generation, of Japanese by current welfare system.

FORBES: Crushing Burden being Passed to the Next Generation

The study found that the so-called "ancient" breeds such as the Akita, Afghan Hound and Chinese Shar-Pei, are no closer to the first domestic dogs than any other breeds due to the effects of lots of cross-breeding.

BBC: Modern dogs have 'little in common' with ancient breeds