Momoko Sakura, the Japanese artist behind the much-loved manga and anime series Chibi Maruko-chan, died of breast cancer this month, aged just 53.

Sakura released the first edition of her Chibi Maruko-chan series in 1986. Based on Sakura’s childhood, it follows a girl named Maruko and her family, who live in suburban Japan. In 1990 it was turned into a successful anime series and aired in more than 60 countries, including Hong Kong.

As fans in Japan and around the globe pay tribute to Sakura on social media, it’s important not to forget that she was part of a small but influential group of women who made inroads into the testosterone-driven manga industry (in which some women even have male pen names).

At least six blossoms had flowered on a cherry tree in Tokyo earmarked to signal the start of the season, the Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed on Monday afternoon, according to local media reports.

The announcement was greeted by a round of applause from waiting crowds at the Yasukuni Shrine in the city, where the tree is located.

However, a vast area of Japan may experience a wide storm of yellow sands on Tuesday and Wednesday, potentially blurring views of cherry blossoms.

The sands could reduce visibility in western and northern Japan to less than 10km, while some areas may see visibility of just 5km, according to the weather agency.

“If visibility falls to less than 5km, please be aware that traffic disruptions may occur,” the agency said on Monday.

Officials have advised citizens to wear masks or take other precautions to prevent symptoms caused by yellow sands, such as asthma.