TOKYO, Jan. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- The death toll from snow-related accidents in Japan since December reached 104 Thursday, a Kyodo News tally shows, making this winter the deadliest in more than two decades.

    The latest victim of the bad weather is a 73-year-old fisher man in Hokkaido, who died after falling into the sea Thursday, probably during snow removal around the port, according to local coast guard.

    Last winter, 88 people were killed in snow-related accidents in Japan. In the 1983-1984 season, the toll is 131.

    Heavy snow kept falling in many parts of western and northern Japan since December. Statistics from Japan's Meteorological Agency show that in the badly-hit Niigata prefecture, at least seven observation stations record more than two meters of snow by 7 p.m. (GMT 1000) Thursday. Tsunan, Niigata still has 3.28 meters of snow. Meanwhile, Sukayu, Aomori prefecture, recorded 3.58 meters of snow.

    Besides leading to fatal accidents, the severe weather has cut off traffics in some areas and caused the prices of vegetables and fruits to soar. Enditem