Okay, sorry for the sensationalist headline. While it's true that members of the Japanese military are conscripted into building gigantic snow sculptures, it's viewed as a team-building exercise, not punishment. Since 1955, troops in the Japanese Self-Defense Forces have been erecting them for the annual Sapporo Snow Festival.

This year's festival is currently underway, and the JSDF 11th Brigade spent a month putting up this Disney-sponsored masterpiece paying homage to the Dark Side of the Force. Even cooler, Lucasfilm Ltd. documented the construction with these shots:

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Here's a quick video shot by an attendee, showing what this thing looks like from the ground:

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At night the festival organizers light it up with this kitschy light show:

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Would've been cooler if they actually blew the Death Star up at the end, using real explosives.

Anyways, next time your kid tries to make a snowman, show 'em this entry and suggest that perhaps they could try a little harder.

Via Quartz