Japan’s meteorological agency has issued a heatstroke alert for 26 of the country’s 47 prefectures, urging people not to go outside unless absolutely necessary, to use their air conditioners during the day and at night, and to drink plenty of water.
Authorities in Japan issued the extreme heat warnings after the temperature reached 40C for the first time this year on Sunday, as the country swelters in the grip of another heatwave.
Shizuoka in central Japan reported a temperature of 40C in the early afternoon on Sunday, while 244 other locations saw the mercury rise to 35C or over – a level officially recognised as “extremely hot”.
The temperature in Shizuoka, recorded shortly after 1 pm, was the highest in the city since records began in 1940, according to the Japan Times.
The meteorological agency warned earlier this year that temperatures are expected to be higher than average again this summer, perhaps exceeding those last summer – the hottest on record.
Hot and humid summers are normal in Japan , particularly after the rainy season ends in mid- to late July, but temperatures have been particularly high in recent years as a result of global heating and other climatic factors, according to experts.
There is particular concern for the welfare of the country’s large older population, who are more vulnerable to heatstroke. The fire and disaster management agency said that of the 2,276 people were taken to hospital for heatstroke in the last week of June, more than half were aged over 65.
Young children are also at risk. This month firefighters were called out in Kyoto after nine children showed symptoms of heatstroke during a school trip. Three were taken to hospital, according to public broadcaster NHK, which warned that temperatures had reached “life-threatening” levels.
At least four deaths associated with the weather have been reported in recent days: a man in his 70s who was found dead at his home after cutting the grass, and another in his 80s who had been working on his farm. On Sunday, media reported that a woman in her 90s was pronounced dead after collapsing at home, while an 83-year-old woman died after working outside.
In Tokyo, 198 people were taken to hospital with suspected heatstroke on Sunday, NHK said. The temperature in some parts of the city had reached at least 35C by mid-morning on Monday.
Statistics from the health ministry reported by the Japan Times show that the number of heatstroke-related deaths increased from an average of 201 people a year between 1995 and 1999, to an average of 1,295 from 2018 to 2022. Between 80 and 90% of those who die are over 65, according to data cited by the newspaper.
The maximum recorded temperature in Japan was 41.1°C in the central city of Hamamatsu on August 17, 2020, and in Kumagaya, north-west of Tokyo, on July, 23, 2018.