Latest news with #heatstroke
Japan Times
3 hours ago
- Climate
- Japan Times
What happened to the rainy season?
With the mercury climbing above 35 degrees Celsius, or even higher, in many parts of Japan in recent days, it's hard to believe weather authorities declared the start of the rainy season just last week. So what happened to the rainy season? For the past few days, the Kanto region recorded the year's first 'extremely hot day,' or days when the temperature hits 35 C or higher, prompting the government to issue heatstroke alerts. And it is still June, when temperatures are typically milder at between 20 C to 30 C. People have been sporting parasols and carrying mini electric fans on the streets of Tokyo, with some complaining on social media that the weather is like 'hell.' In Tokyo, at least 562 people have been taken to the hospital for suspected heatstroke so far this month, according to the Tokyo Fire Department, including 24 people between the ages of 18 to 94 on Friday as of 3 p.m. Several deaths from suspected heatstroke have been reported in other parts of Japan. Chihiro Kazama, a forecaster at the Meteorological Agency, said the recent spike in temperatures is due to a temporary weakening of the seasonal rain front, which brought more sunny days and allowed temperatures to rise. 'Looking at the situation over a longer period, the jet stream has been flowing farther north than usual. You can think of it as the boundary between warm and cold air. Since it has shifted northward, it means that areas around Japan are more likely to be covered by warm air,' he said. The abnormally hot weather is also caused by the Pacific high pressure system, which is stronger than normal. However, the seasonal rain front is expected to return near mainland Japan early next week, bringing conditions more typical of the rainy season. A similar case as this year's rainy season was also seen in 2022. Meanwhile, the rainy season in Okinawa Prefecture and the Amami islands officially ended on June 8 and on Thursday, respectively, both over 10 days earlier than average. Kazama said the rainy season ended early in those areas because the high pressure system was stronger than usual. With temperatures expected to hit 30 C and higher in the following weeks, Kazama advised individuals to be careful of the hot weather affecting their health. 'If you start feeling unwell, it's important to use air conditioning or take similar measures to stay safe,' he said. As human-induced climate change rewrites temperature records across the country, the number of emergency transports due to heatstroke have been on the rise nationwide in the last five years, with the exception of 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, 97,578 people were taken to the hospital for suspected heatstroke, up from 64,869 in 2020.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Japan on alert after four people die amid early summer heatwave
Japan has issued a public alert after record-breaking early-summer heat enveloped much of the country this week and four people died from suspected heatstroke. The Kanto–Koshin region recorded temperatures above 35C at 65 observation points, with Kofu touching 38.2C, Takasaki 37.7C and Shizuoka 37.6C. In all, at least 547 locations in the country recorded temperatures over 30C this week, including Tokyo at 34.8C and Osaka at 33.4C. 'The current heat is clearly unusual,' Yukiko Imada, professor in the University of Tokyo's Climate System Research department, told the South China Morning Post. The four people who died of heatstroke were all elderly and included a woman aged 96 who was found collapsed in a field in Gunma and later pronounced dead. Tokyo hospitals treated 169 people for heatstroke symptoms on 18 June and a further 57 the next day, demonstrating mounting strain on healthcare services. Authorities have warned that above-average heat is likely to continue through the weekend and have set up more than 500 temporary cooling shelters in affected areas. Emergency services are urging people, particularly the elderly, to stay indoors, hydrate regularly, and avoid unnecessary outdoor activity. Forecasters predict the heatwave to last until the end of this week. They say that clear skies and weak winds driven by a strong Pacific high-pressure system are responsible. The meteorological agency has forecast that summer 2025 is likely to be 'above normal' in terms of temperature, raising concerns of further extreme heat events in the months ahead. The heatwave arrives on the heels of last year's record-breaking summer, the hottest in Japan since records began in 1898. Average summer temperatures in 2024 were 1.76C above the 1991-2020 norm and over 120 people died from heatstroke in Tokyo alone in July 2024. Experts say these extreme early-season heatwaves may intensify with climate change.
The Independent
4 hours ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Japan on alert after four people die amid early summer heatwave
Japan has issued a public alert after record-breaking early-summer heat enveloped much of the country this week and four people died from suspected heatstroke. The Kanto–Koshin region recorded temperatures above 35C at 65 observation points, with Kofu touching 38.2C, Takasaki 37.7C and Shizuoka 37.6C. In all, at least 547 locations in the country recorded temperatures over 30C this week, including Tokyo at 34.8C and Osaka at 33.4C. 'The current heat is clearly unusual,' Yukiko Imada, professor in the University of Tokyo 's Climate System Research department, told the South China Morning Post. The four people who died of heatstroke were all elderly and included a woman aged 96 who was found collapsed in a field in Gunma and later pronounced dead. Tokyo hospitals treated 169 people for heatstroke symptoms on 18 June and a further 57 the next day, demonstrating mounting strain on healthcare services. Authorities have warned that above-average heat is likely to continue through the weekend and have set up more than 500 temporary cooling shelters in affected areas. Emergency services are urging people, particularly the elderly, to stay indoors, hydrate regularly, and avoid unnecessary outdoor activity. Forecasters predict the heatwave to last until the end of this week. They say that clear skies and weak winds driven by a strong Pacific high-pressure system are responsible. The meteorological agency has forecast that summer 2025 is likely to be 'above normal' in terms of temperature, raising concerns of further extreme heat events in the months ahead. The heatwave arrives on the heels of last year's record-breaking summer, the hottest in Japan since records began in 1898. Average summer temperatures in 2024 were 1.76C above the 1991-2020 norm and over 120 people died from heatstroke in Tokyo alone in July 2024.
Malay Mail
5 hours ago
- Climate
- Malay Mail
Blistering summer heat claims four lives in Japan, officials urge immediate precautions
TOKYO, June 20 — Japan is sweltering under an unusually intense heatwave that has left at least four people dead from heatstroke and triggered widespread government warnings, as experts say the scorching weather is unlike anything recorded this early in the year. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued repeated heat alerts since Tuesday, urging residents to stay indoors, hydrate, and check on elderly neighbours. The heat has been especially punishing for older citizens — all four recorded fatalities were elderly, including a 96-year-old woman found collapsed in a field in Gunma prefecture. In some parts of the country, temperatures soared more than 10°C above the seasonal average. Kofu, northwest of Tokyo, reported 38.2°C — far above what's typical for Japan's rainy season. Gunma hit 37.7°C, and Shizuoka registered 37.6°C. Tokyo itself reached 34.8°C on Wednesday, while Osaka climbed to 33.4°C. In all, 547 locations nationwide saw the mercury pass 30°C. 'The current heat is clearly unusual,' said Yukiko Imada, a professor with the University of Tokyo's Department of Climate System Research, to South China Morning Post. 'For the first time since records began, over 150 locations have experienced extreme heat exceeding 35 degrees by mid-June.' Imada added that the baiu front — the seasonal rain front — had disappeared unusually early, a phenomenon she attributed to the premature expansion of the Pacific high-pressure system over Japan. 'Typically, the system expands over the country in July or August,' she said. Tokyo doctors treated 169 people for heatstroke on Tuesday alone, with another 57 cases on Wednesday, according to Agence France-Presse. The JMA's three-month forecast suggests the worst may be yet to come. 'There is a high probability that temperatures this year will be above normal,' Imada warned. In 2024, Tokyo alone saw a total of 252 suspected heatstroke deaths from June to early September, according to Mainichi Shimbun. In addition to general heat advisories, the JMA has deployed its heat stress index across 48 cities. None were categorised as 'safe'. In 15 cities, authorities urged residents to hydrate and take breaks if outdoors. In the remaining 32, the message was blunt: 'heavy exercise prohibited'. The agency has also issued practical guidance: avoid unnecessary outings, use air conditioning even if concerned about energy bills, and stay in contact with vulnerable neighbours. Last summer tied Japan's hottest on record. Officials coined new terms like moshobi — ferociously hot days above 35°C — and kokushobi — cruel heat days above 40°C — as extreme temperatures became increasingly frequent. Gunma recorded temperatures above 40°C in July 2023. Since 2000, Japan has seen such highs on 59 occasions. The national record of 41.1°C was hit in both Saitama (2018) and Shizuoka (2020). Cooling shelters have been set up in some areas, while local governments continue to monitor vulnerable populations. The extreme weather is expected to persist into the weekend.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘Opening a window doesn't protect': Two Rivers Police remind residents not to leave children & pets in vehicles
TWO RIVERS, Wis. (WFRV) – As summer arrives with hotter temperatures, police in Two Rivers are reminding residents not to leave children or pets in the car. The Two Rivers Police Department posted a photo of K9 Daisy in the car with a fully opened window, reminding residents that things will heat up fast in the car. Green Bay Packers announce 2025 Training Camp practice dates open to the public 'Cracking a window open DOES NOT protect your child or pet,' the post said. The post added that air conditioning can also fail, and interior vehicle heat can increase by over 15 degrees or more every nine minutes. The post clarified that K9 Daisy was not left in the car, but it was to showcase what not to do. Anybody who sees concerning incidents like this is asked to call 911. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
