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Free dumplings for motorists stranded in snow

Snow Dumplings - Level 4

Record snowfall made driving tough for motorists in Japan this week. Blizzards and snowdrifts left 200 cars stranded on a highway in Fukui, on the Sea of Japan. The manager of a local Chinese restaurant, Keiichi Iwatani acted. He decided to feed those facing a night in freezing temperatures. He delivered hundreds of gyoza dumplings and omelettes to tired, worried and snowbound drivers. Co-workers helped to deliver the provisions to 300 relieved people.

Mr Iwatani spoke about his relief efforts. He saw the snow piling up and knew it would be a problem. Similar bad weather in 2018 stopped him from getting to work. He said: "I regretted not being able to help out then. I'm happy...people appreciated our efforts last night." He added: "I wanted to keep drivers warm, even for just a bit." One driver feared the worst when she got stuck in the snow. She said she was very happy when Mr Ishitani appeared.

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Snow Dumplings - Level 5

Record levels of snowfall made driving tough for hundreds of motorists in Japan this week. Blizzards, snowdrifts and frozen roads left 200 cars stranded on a highway in Fukui, on the Sea of Japan. This made the manager of a branch of a local Chinese restaurant act and help. Keiichi Iwatani, 39, decided to feed those facing a night in sub-zero temperatures. He delivered hundreds of gyoza dumplings, fried rice and omelettes to tired, anxious and snowbound drivers. Seven workers helped him to deliver the provisions throughout the night to 300 relieved people.

Mr Iwatani told a newspaper about his relief efforts. He said he saw the snow piling up and knew it would be a problem. Similar bad weather hit in 2018 and the snow stopped him from getting to work. He said: "I regretted not being able to help out three years ago. I'm happy...people appreciated our efforts last night." He added: "I wanted to keep drivers warm, even for just a bit." One driver feared the worst when she got stuck in the snow. She said she was very happy when Ishitani appeared. Another driver shared a traditional Fukui rice sweet with her, which made her happier.

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Snow Dumplings - Level 6

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Record levels of snowfall made the going tough for hundreds of motorists in Japan earlier this week. Blizzards, snowdrifts and frozen roads left 200 cars stranded on a highway in Fukui Prefecture, along the Sea of Japan. This spurred the manager of a branch of a local Chinese restaurant, Gyoza Ohsho, to get going. Keiichi Iwatani, 39, decided to feed those faced with spending the night in sub-zero temperatures. He delivered hundreds of gyoza dumplings, fried rice and crab omelettes to weary, anxious and snowbound drivers. Seven employees helped him to deliver the provisions on foot throughout the night to 300 hungry and relieved people.

Mr Iwatani talked about his relief efforts to the Mainichi newspaper. He said he saw the snow accumulating and knew there would be problems. He said similar adverse weather hit in 2018 and the snow stopped him from getting to work. He said: "I regretted not being able to help out three years ago. I'm happy that many people appreciated our efforts last night." He added: "I wanted to keep drivers warm, even for just a bit." Many drivers were appreciative of his efforts. Yuki Yamashita, 23, feared the worst when she got stuck in the snow. She said when Ishitani appeared, he restored her faith in humanity. A fellow driver shared some Habutae mochi - a traditional Fukui rice confection - with her to reinforce that faith.

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25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson