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The Mainichi
a day ago
- Climate
- The Mainichi
Tokyo gov't launches detailed 'heat map' to help people avoid heatstroke
TOKYO -- As part of its heatstroke prevention efforts, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has launched the "Tokyo heat map" in collaboration with the Japan Weather Association. The map divides the capital into 1-square-kilometer sections and displays the "heat index" for each area, aiming to provide residents and visitors with detailed data to help avoid heatstroke. The heat index is a value calculated from the temperature, humidity and "radiant heat" from surfaces such as roads and building walls. The higher the value, the greater the risk of heatstroke. The map allows users to view hourly changes in the heat index up to 48 hours in advance, as well as the highest values for the coming week. The risk of heatstroke is categorized into seven levels, from "generally safe" (below 21) to "disaster-level danger" (35 and above), and is color-coded. Especially at "danger" (31 and above, red) and higher, the risk of heatstroke is significantly increased, and the map is intended to help people adjust their plans accordingly. Additionally, the metropolitan government has published a map of "designated cooling shelters" equipped with air conditioning, as it did last year. When a "special heatstroke alert" is issued, municipalities are required by the Climate Change Adaptation Act to open these shelters to the public. There are about 1,800 such locations in Tokyo, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku Ward and Tokyo Tower in Minato Ward, but awareness about the shelters has been limited. The metropolitan government has also created a search system for "Tokyo cool share spots," which allows people to find places to cool off regardless of whether a heatstroke alert is in effect. There are about 1,980 such spots in the capital. According to the Tokyo Fire Department, 7,996 people were transported to hospitals due to heatstroke in the capital between June and September 2024, an increase of 884 from the same period the previous year, and the number tends to rise annually. At a regular press conference July 18, Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike urged people to "hydrate frequently, use air conditioning without hesitation, and use parasols and hats when going outside." She added, "We have set up cooling shelters in various locations, so please make use of them. I ask everyone to take sufficient precautions against the heat based on these measures." The heat map is available at (in Japanese only.)
NHK
28-06-2025
- Climate
- NHK
Scorching heat grips much of Japan, expected to continue on Sunday
Much of Japan was gripped by sweltering heat on Saturday, with temperatures soaring to 35 degrees Celsius or higher especially in western parts of the country. The hot weather is expected to continue on Sunday, prompting warnings of heatstroke. The Meteorological Agency says a high pressure system prevailed over wide regions from western to northern Japan. A daytime high of 36.4 degrees was recorded in the town of Akiota in Hiroshima Prefecture. The mercury reached 33.8 degrees in central Tokyo and 33.5 degrees in Osaka City. Tokyo Fire Department officials say that as of 3 p.m. on Saturday, 15 people in the capital between the ages of 18 and 99 had been taken to hospital with symptoms of heatstroke. Temperatures are likely to remain high mainly from the Kinki to Kyushu regions in the west. Overnight lows are not expected to fall below 25 degrees in some areas. Another scorching day is forecast for Sunday. A daytime high of 37 degrees is expected in the city of Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture. Highs of 36 degrees are likely in the cities of Saga, Yamaguchi, Okayama, Kyoto and Kumagaya, while Kumamoto, Takamatsu, Osaka and Fukushima cities can expect a high of 35 degrees. Heatstroke alerts have been issued for the prefectures of Shimane, Tokushima, Kochi, Fukuoka, Oita, Nagasaki, Kumamoto and Kagoshima excluding the Amami region, as well as Okinawa's main island and Yaeyama regions. Temperatures are expected to remain high for the coming month. People are advised to use air conditioners, take liquids and salt and rest frequently during outdoor activities.
The Print
22-06-2025
- Climate
- The Print
What Japan can teach us about tackling rising heat in everyday life
As extreme heat becomes the norm, preparing for rising temperatures has become a global imperative. Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), noted that the past decade has seen record-breaking heat year after year. The WMO has recently warned that there is an 80% chance that the world's annual average temperature in 2024 will be surpassed by 2029. Unprecedented heat poses serious health risks across the globe. Over 20,000 heat-related deaths were reported in Western Europe in 2024, with children and older adults particularly vulnerable to extreme temperatures. Japan also experienced an extraordinarily hot summer in 2024, with more than 10 cities recording over 50 'extremely hot' days, defined as temperatures exceeding 35°C. Between June and September, heat-related fatalities reached a record high of 2,033. Show Full Article According to the Tokyo Fire Department, over half of those transported for heatstroke in Tokyo were aged 65 and older. Among them, individuals in their eighties comprised the largest group at 1,886 cases, followed by those in their seventies at 1,530 cases. Data from Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency for June to September 2024 reveals that the most common location for heatstroke incidents was private residences (38%), followed by roads (19%), public outdoor spaces (13%) and workplaces, such as construction sites and factories (10.1%). To address occupational heat risk, Japan recently strengthened its regulations. A revision to the Ordinance of Industrial Safety and Health came into effect on 1 June 2025. This requires employers to implement preventive measures against heatstroke. This regulatory shift aims to further enhance workplace safety as extreme heat events become more frequent. Strengthening household preparedness through public-private collaboration As the number of older adults living alone continues to rise, so does the risk of heatstroke at home. According to Japan's Ministry of the Environment, nearly 90% of those who died from heatstroke at home were not using air conditioning. Promoting the appropriate and accessible use of cooling systems in households is, therefore, an urgent priority. In the past, the Japanese government has called for energy conservation during the summer months, when electricity demand surges. For 2025, Japan's Minister of the Economy, Trade and Industry announced that the Ministry would not make such a request during the summer months, citing sufficient electricity supply capacity. The reserve margin is expected to exceed 7%, well above the 3% threshold considered necessary for a stable electricity supply. However, the Minister cautioned that extreme weather events and potential power plant failures still pose risks, underscoring the importance of continued monitoring. To help households preparedness, a number of municipalities, including Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Yokohama and Nagoya, have introduced subsidies for the purchase of energy-efficient air conditioners, supporting upgrades and new installations. In May, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government proposed a JPY 36.8 billion ($255 million) supplementary budget proposal to waive the basic water service fee for all households during the four-month summer period. By alleviating financial pressure amid rising living costs, Tokyo aims to encourage air conditioner use and lower the risk of heat-related illnesses. And, further community-based actions are in place at local level. Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward has launched a programme to visit the homes of residents aged 75 and older twice between late July and early September. During these visits, staff will distribute free sports drinks and check on residents' well-being. The initiative aims to prevent heatstroke and strengthen local support networks for vulnerable populations. Leveraging smart technology for heatstroke prevention at home While air conditioners remain an essential tool for preventing heatstroke, indoor temperature and humidity levels can vary from room to room, limiting consistent protection. As a result, interest is growing in smart technologies that support real-time monitoring and better heat risk management at home. Misawa Homes, for example, offers LinkGates, an IoT service that allows users to check room temperatures and control air conditioners remotely using a smartphone. The system includes a heatstroke alert function that notifies users when indoor temperatures exceed a critical threshold, enabling them to manage heat risks in individual rooms. Smart home device provider, SwitchBot, promotes a solution combining its Hub 2, which monitors temperature and humidity, with its 3MP monitoring camera. This setup allows families to observe the real-time condition of children or older adults in other rooms and detect early signs of heat-related symptoms.
NHK
20-06-2025
- Health
- NHK
One person dies from suspected heatstroke in Japan, 100 hospitalized in Tokyo
The heatwave gripping Japan has turned deadly. Officials in the central prefecture of Gifu say one person has died from suspected heatstroke. A 90-year-old man was found lying in a field in the town of Ikeda on Thursday afternoon. He was rushed to a hospital but later pronounced dead. Meanwhile, Tokyo Fire Department officials say that as of 9 p.m. on Thursday, 100 people in the capital aged between 11 and 97 had been taken to hospital during the day for suspected symptoms of heatstroke. The officials say one of them is in critical condition while two others are in serious condition. The Tokyo Metropolitan Medical Examiner's Office says two people in their 70s who died in the capital this month are believed to have suffered heatstroke. It says they were not using air conditioners at the time of their deaths.
Japan Times
27-05-2025
- Japan Times
Gas explosion injures 10 at Tokyo construction site, prompts evacuation
A gas explosion at a construction site in Tokyo's Edogawa Ward injured 10 people on Tuesday morning, prompting a large-scale emergency response and temporary evacuations. The blast occurred around 9:30 a.m. in the Higashi-Kasai area, following reports of a loud explosion and smoke. A construction vehicle at the scene caught fire, sending black smoke into the air. The blaze was brought under control about 90 minutes later, with more than 30 fire trucks, including pumpers, deployed for the operation, according to an NHK report. Ten people, including construction workers and nearby residents in their 20s to 70s, sustained non life-threatening injuries, according to the Tokyo Fire Department. Police said workers had been driving piles into the ground for a new condominium when they likely struck an underground gas pipe, triggering the explosion. The blast is believed to have shattered windows and signs on nearby buildings and convenience stores, sending glass scattered across the street. A 44-year-old manager of a nearby supermarket said he heard the explosion shortly after arriving at work. 'I heard three or four bangs, and the ground shook. When I looked outside, a car was in flames. I was solely focused on guiding people to safety. I was thinking I had to protect my employees and customers,' he said. Firefighters at the site of an explosion in Tokyo's Edogawa Ward on Tuesday. | Jiji A man in his 60s who lives nearby told reporters, 'I was at home when I heard a tremendous bang. I thought a truck had crashed. The whole place shook.' Tokyo police urged residents in the surrounding area to evacuate as a precaution while investigators worked to assess the extent of the damage and determine the exact cause of the incident. The site is located near Kasai Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line, in a densely populated residential district lined with apartment buildings. Translated by The Japan Times
