Tsunami advisories partially lifted
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NHK
5 hours ago
- NHK
Island shrine in western Japan opens for two-day summer festival
An annual summer festival is underway at a Shinto shrine on an island in the Seto Inland Sea, western Japan. To reach the shrine, visitors must cross a bridge that is accessible only during this time of year. Tsushima Shrine in the city of Mitoyo, Kagawa Prefecture, is dedicated to a guardian deity for children. Its main hall is on an island about 250 meters offshore. The bridge is open only once a year during the two-day festival from August 4 to 5. Many families and other visitors began arriving from Monday morning to pray for their children's health. One visitor who was with her family said it feels special to be at the shrine as it sits out on the ocean. Another visitor said visiting the shrine was a rare and meaningful experience, and she prayed for her family's health and happiness. Tsushimanomiya Station, which is on the opposite shore, also opened temporarily for the festival. It is known as the train station with the fewest operating days in Japan. Some visitors took photos with the station's signboard.
Japan Times
8 hours ago
- Japan Times
Extreme heat in Japan set to peak this week
A heat wave gripping the nation is expected to continue this week and could hit its peak over the next several days. Human-induced climate change has sent the mercury rising, particularly in the Hokuriku region facing the Sea of Japan, where temperatures exceeding 38 degrees Celsius were recorded in many areas on Monday. On the same day, the Meteorological Agency issued an alert for heatstroke in 36 prefectures. At 1:40 p.m., the city of Komatsu in Ishikawa Prefecture recorded the highest temperature of 40.3 C, followed by the city of Toyama, where the mercury hit 39.8 C. A temperature of 39.2 C was recorded in the cities of Mima, in Tokushima Prefecture, and Sakai, in Fukui Prefecture. Monday's temperatures followed a heat wave between July 30 and Aug. 2, which saw at least one region experience dangerous heat that surpassed 40 C over four consecutive days — the first time in 13 years that this had happened. Last Wednesday, the city of Tamba in Hyogo Prefecture experienced Japan's highest temperature ever of 41.2 C . The high temperatures are expected to persist throughout the country over the next couple of days, though rain forecast for various regions across the country from Thursday could lead to cooler days toward the end of the week. Amid the sustained high temperatures, people are advised to take measures to prevent heatstroke, including making sure that those most susceptible to it — such as children and elderly people — stay in cool environments with air conditioning and for event organizers to make sure that participants take precautions. The Meteorological Agency advises that events be canceled in view of heat or for them to be postponed to a later date. If either option is unavailable, the agency recommends that events be transitioned online instead. A total of 17,229 people were taken to hospital with symptoms of heatstroke in June, according to the most recent data from the internal affairs ministry. This is the highest number ever in a single month, according to data that dates back to 2010. Of the total, 26 people died, while 324 others suffered severe cases of heatstroke. Elderly people made up the largest proportion of the number, with 60% of those taken to hospital being over the age of 65. Although the total number for July is yet to be released, it is evident that numbers are increasing as temperatures across the country continue to rise. In the week through Sunday alone, a total of 10,804 people were taken to hospital, of whom 16 died.
NHK
16 hours ago
- NHK
Dangerous heat expected to persist across Japan
A dangerous heatwave is expected to continue gripping wide areas of Japan from the Tohoku region in the northeastern to the Chugoku region in the west. Scorching heat is forecast to continue on Monday. Daytime highs may reach 39 degrees Celsius in Tottori City, Maebashi City and Hyogo Prefecture's Toyooka City. Temperatures are expected to hit 38 degrees in the cities of Yamagata, Fukui and Kyoto. Highs of 37 degrees are forecast for the cities of Saitama, Kofu, Toyama, Osaka and Takamatsu, and 36 degrees for central Tokyo, Nagoya City and other locations. Heatstroke alerts have been issued in 36 prefectures, from the Tohoku region down to the southern prefecture of Okinawa. Weather officials are advising people to keep cool by using air conditioners, consuming adequate fluids and salt, and taking frequent breaks during outdoor activities.
