( CNN ) -- Japan was hit by record snowfall again this weekend as several prefectures in the eastern part of the country reported deaths as well as severe transport delays and disruptions . The Japan Fire and Disaster Management Agency has confirmed at least 19 deaths caused by the snowstorm across northeast Japan . At least 365 are reported to be injured from incidents caused directly by the heavy snow . Elderly residents in Oyama in Shizuoka Prefecture were stranded in their homes following a snow dump of more than three feet ( 1 meter ) on Friday . Other isolated communities were also cut off , with more than 5,000 households inaccessible due to blocked roads in some mountainous areas of Yamanashi , Nagano , Saitama and Gunma prefectures as well as western Tokyo , according to the Cabinet Office . Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe set up emergency disaster task force to deal with the damage caused by the snow fall , according to his office . On Tuesday morning he ordered the relevant government departments to take all possible measures to avoid `` anybody freez [ ing ] to the death due to the isolation '' and to make the utmost effort `` to restore lifelines and clear the roads '' in those areas which are cut off . Tokyo experienced just under a foot ( 27cm ) of snow over the weekend , days after the capital had experienced its heaviest snowfall in decades . A highway connecting Gunma and Nagano prefectures was closed , stranding hundreds of drivers , and the national broadcaster NHK said over 600 flights , mostly domestic , across the country were also canceled . Police said building collapses accounted for several fatalities , while in Yamanashi prefecture two men froze to death in separate incidents while trying to walk home from stranded cars . A commuter train collision at a station on the outskirts of Tokyo was also attributed to the snow by railway operator Tokyu Corp. Around 20 passengers were left with minor injuries in the incident . The Japan Meteorological Agency has raised advisories for much of the country , and with the storm heading northwards , sections of northern island of Hokkaido have been placed under warning of heavy snowfall and avalanches . WATCH : Misawa Snow Day iReport . CNN 's Yoko Wakatsuki and Junko Ogura in Tokyo contributed to this story .
NEW : Death toll from snowstorm hits 19 . Latest storm comes days after heaviest snow in decades . Major transport disruptions in parts of Japan . 365 injured by heavy snowfall .