At least one person has died and at least 26 were injured in a serious accident involving more than 50 vehicles that occurred in Gunma Prefecture in central Japan, Japanese public television reported.
The accident occurred on a local highway.
At least 10 vehicles caught fire in the accident, which was initially believed to be caused by icy conditions.
According to emergency services, one elderly woman died, five people were hospitalized in serious condition, and 21 others suffered minor injuries.
Several sections of a highway in central Japan were closed to traffic as a result of the incident.