Japan breaks 17 heat records as climate change intensifies
The city of Komatsu in Ishikawa prefecture recorded a scorching 40.3 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), the highest ever for the area, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). Toyama city also hit a historic high of 39.8C (103F), while 15 other locations saw temperatures surge between 35.7C (96F) and 39.8C.
Japan's highest temperature ever, 41.2C (106F), was recorded on July 30 in Hyogo prefecture. The early end of the rainy season in western Japan, about three weeks sooner than usual, worsened drought conditions. Low rainfall has left dams in the north nearly empty, raising concerns among farmers about water shortages and poor harvests.
Climate impacts extend beyond agriculture. Cherry blossoms, a cultural symbol, are blooming earlier or incompletely due to insufficient winter chilling. Mount Fuji's iconic snowcap appeared later than ever last year, delayed until early November instead of the usual October.
The JMA reported that 2025 marked Japan's hottest June and July since records began in 1898, with more 'severe heat' expected. Global data from NOAA shows Europe and Asia warming the fastest per decade since 1990. - AFP
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Malay Mail
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With temperatures soaring past 40.3°C, 17 heat records broken in Japan
TOKYO, Aug 4 — Seventeen heat records were broken in Japan on Monday, the weather agency said, after the country sweltered through its hottest ever June and July. Heatwaves are becoming more intense and frequent worldwide because of human-caused climate change, scientists say, and Japan is no exception. The city of Komatsu, in the central region of Ishikawa, saw a new record of 40.3 degrees Celsius today, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. Toyama city in Toyama prefecture, also in the central region, hit 39.8C, the highest temperature since records began, according to the JMA. Fifteen other locations across cities and towns soared to new highs between 35.7C and 39.8C, added the JMA, which monitors temperatures at more than 900 points in Japan. On July 30, Japan experienced its highest recorded temperature, a sizzling 41.2C in the western region of Hyogo. The rainy season ended about three weeks earlier than usual in western regions of Japan, another record. With low levels of rainfall and heat, several dams in the northern region were almost empty, the land ministry said, with farmers worried that a water shortage and extreme heat could result in a poor harvest. Experts warn Japan's beloved cherry trees are blooming earlier due to the warmer climate, or sometimes not fully blossoming because autumns and winters are not cold enough to trigger flowering. The famous snowcap of Mount Fuji was absent for the longest recorded period last year, not appearing until early November, compared with the average of early October. Japan this year had its hottest June and July since data collection began in 1898, with the weather agency warning of further 'severe heat' in the months ahead. The speed of temperature increases across the world is not uniform. Of the continents, Europe has seen the fastest warming per decade since 1990, followed closely by Asia, according to global data from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). — AFP
The Sun
11 hours ago
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TOKYO: Seventeen heat records were broken in Japan on Monday, the weather agency confirmed, as the country endured its hottest June and July on record. Scientists attribute the rising intensity and frequency of heatwaves globally to human-caused climate change, with Japan facing severe consequences. The city of Komatsu in Ishikawa prefecture recorded a scorching 40.3 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), the highest ever for the area, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). Toyama city also hit a historic high of 39.8C (103F), while 15 other locations saw temperatures surge between 35.7C (96F) and 39.8C. Japan's highest temperature ever, 41.2C (106F), was recorded on July 30 in Hyogo prefecture. The early end of the rainy season in western Japan, about three weeks sooner than usual, worsened drought conditions. Low rainfall has left dams in the north nearly empty, raising concerns among farmers about water shortages and poor harvests. Climate impacts extend beyond agriculture. Cherry blossoms, a cultural symbol, are blooming earlier or incompletely due to insufficient winter chilling. Mount Fuji's iconic snowcap appeared later than ever last year, delayed until early November instead of the usual October. The JMA reported that 2025 marked Japan's hottest June and July since records began in 1898, with more 'severe heat' expected. Global data from NOAA shows Europe and Asia warming the fastest per decade since 1990. - AFP
Borneo Post
13 hours ago
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17 heat records broken in Japan
People cross a street on a hot day in Tokyo on Aug 4, 2025. – AFP photo TOKYO (Aug 4): Seventeen heat records were broken in Japan on Monday, the weather agency said, after the country sweltered through its hottest ever June and July. Heatwaves are becoming more intense and frequent worldwide because of human-caused climate change, scientists say, and Japan is no exception. The city of Komatsu, in the central region of Ishikawa, saw a new record of 40.3 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) on Monday, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. Toyama city in Toyama prefecture, also in the central region, hit 39.8C (103F), the highest temperature since records began, according to the JMA. Fifteen other locations across cities and towns soared to new highs between 35.7C (96F) and 39.8C, added the JMA, which monitors temperatures at more than 900 points in Japan. On July 30, Japan experienced its highest recorded temperature, a sizzling 41.2C (106F) in the western region of Hyogo. The rainy season ended about three weeks earlier than usual in western regions of Japan, another record. With low levels of rainfall and heat, several dams in the northern region were almost empty, the land ministry said, with farmers worried that a water shortage and extreme heat could result in a poor harvest. Experts warn Japan's beloved cherry trees are blooming earlier due to the warmer climate, or sometimes not fully blossoming because autumns and winters are not cold enough to trigger flowering. The famous snowcap of Mount Fuji was absent for the longest recorded period last year, not appearing until early November, compared with the average of early October. Japan this year had its hottest June and July since data collection began in 1898, with the weather agency warning of further 'severe heat' in the months ahead. The speed of temperature increases across the world is not uniform. Of the continents, Europe has seen the fastest warming per decade since 1990, followed closely by Asia, according to global data from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). – AFP climate change global warming heat wave Japan
