12 hours ago
4 die of suspected heatstroke; more days of searing weather forecast
Four people died from suspected heatstroke in and around the Kanto region on June 17, the start of an expected days-long period of extreme heat across the nation.
The Japanese archipelago was enveloped in warm air from the south and a high pressure system, leading to temperatures of 35 degrees or higher at 65 of 914 observation points as of 5 p.m. on June 17.
The hottest location was Kofu, at 38.2 degrees, followed by Takasaki in Gunma Prefecture at 37.7 degrees and Shizuoka at 37.6 degrees. These were the hottest temperatures so far in 2025.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, 547 locations recorded temperatures of 30 degrees or higher, including downtown Tokyo at 34.8 degrees, Sendai at 34.7 degrees, and Osaka at 33.4 degrees.
A woman in her 70s was found collapsed in a field in Ayase, Kanagawa Prefecture, by her family at 12:50 p.m. on June 17, and was confirmed dead at a hospital in Ebina, according to the Ebina City Fire Department.
The death of another woman in her 70s in Shizuoka was confirmed at a hospital after she was found collapsed in a field near her home. In the Suruga district of the city, the temperature hit 37.6 degrees just before 1 p.m. that day.
According to the Saitama prefectural government, a 65-year-old woman was discovered unconscious in a light passenger car in a parking lot in Koshigaya, Saitama Prefecture, on the evening of June 17. She was also pronounced dead at a hospital.
Heatstroke is believed to have caused her death.
In the village of Tsumagoi in Gunma Prefecture, a woman, 96, was taken to a hospital with suspected heatstroke after being found collapsed in a field at 3:10 p.m., according to the Agatsuma Fire Department. She was later confirmed dead.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the Kanto-Koshin region was particularly sunny from the morning on June 17, and temperatures soared especially in inland areas where winds were weak.
More areas on June 18 will be sunny with high temperatures. Daytime highs of 37 degrees are expected in Gifu city and Nagoya in central Japan, and 36 degrees in Kyoto and Nara in western Japan.
The agency said extremely hot days are expected to continue in various areas until around June 20. It is urging the public to take precautions against heatstroke.
