News Japan's heatwave 2025

[thomas]

Even Hokkaido swelters through temperatures of almost 40°C!

Sizzling heat blankets Japan this week, with temperatures reaching dangerous levels above 35 degrees Celsius in the northernmost main island of Hokkaido. Scorching temperatures are expected to persist for the rest of the week, with some areas possibly reaching 40°C.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/4168/

Hokkaido swelters

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20250723215655634/

 

[Grandpa Frank]

We have been getting up to 32C right next to the ocean a lot this year which is uncommon. When you add real high humidity into it , UGH ! My electric bill shows the AC is running a lot , LOL.

 

[Ukigumo]

You have my sincerest sympathies. Hot, humid weather is so hard to deal with.

I think this is really worrying. I suspect you'll have heavy rains in the winter too…or maybe have three or even only two seasons (). I personally don't think the inexorable march of anthropogenic climate change can be stopped now, without us all going back to a virtually medieval style of living. Our government's policies, if instigated (which looks doubtful, as they wriggle and squirm out of putting them into place for the sake of 'economic growth'), might slow anthropogenic climate change a bit, but it won't avert it.

'We're all gonna die' - Billy, 'Predator'.

 

[thomas]

Japan has set a new national heat record, with temperatures soaring to a scorching 41.2°C on 30 July in Tamba, Hyōgo Prefecture. The new record, logged at 14:39, surpasses the previous national high of 41.1°C. This is the first time this year that temperatures in Japan have climbed above 40°C, according to the JMA. Heatstroke alerts have been issued at 33 locations nationwide, particularly affecting areas such as the Tōkai, Kinki, Hokuriku, and Chūgoku regions. Authorities are urging people to take heat-related risks seriously by staying hydrated, using air conditioning properly, and avoiding outdoor activities during peak heat hours.

Japan records new all-time high temperature, 41.2 degrees | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

The thermometer is predicted to reach 39°C in Kantō today!

Extreme heat in Japan set to peak this week

Temperatures are particularly high in the Hokuriku region, where the mercury has exceeded 38 degrees Celsius in many areas.

www.japantimes.co.jp

The intense summer heat, combined with a shortage of rainfall in most agricultural regions, will have a severe impact on this year's rice harvest: another spike in rice prices now appears almost inevitable.

Rainfall in July is welcomed by farmers because that is when the rice ears start to appear. Without rain, the plants are unable to thrive. The Tohoku region's water situation is also dire in Miyagi Prefecture, where the Naruko dam is now officially dry. A dam for farmers in Hanamaki, in neighboring Iwate Prefecture, is operating at only 20% of capacity. Water from the Hanamaki dam was cut off to rice fields for five days in late July. High temperatures and scant rainfall create ideal conditions for an outbreak of shield bugs that can devastate rice crops. As of 30 July, the farm ministry had issued 33 cautions to 27 prefectures about the increased prevalence of the bugs. That is a pace similar to last year when the largest number of cautions were issued over the past decade.

Extreme heat, scant rainfall bode ill for this year’s rice crop | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

 

[Ukigumo]

About 11 seconds into this video about the gruelling heat in Japan, there's a woman wearing a full scarf a cardigan or something similar, never mind the older woman at 6 seconds wearing a jacket! Is this the advice they give to people in hot Japanese weather?

 

[thomas]

Protecting your skin with long sleeves made from lightweight, light-coloured, and breathable fabrics makes sense. Plus, many/most Japanese women obsess about their skin from an early age, keeping it protected from UV light at all costs to avoid "shimi" (染み), skin stains or discolourations.

All the Japanese cyclists I meet in summer wear long bibs, arm covers, and masks.

 

[mdchachi]

 

[Ukigumo]

When it gets hot again, I'll try wearing a scarf and lightweight jacket and jeans compared to a t-shirt, shorts and Biore sun screen and see which feels the most comfortable.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Imagine wearing this in the hot sun.

 

[Ukigumo]

View attachment 131042 Imagine wearing this in the hot sun.

Yeah, but unfortunately there appears to be little concern about the comfort of these poor women in the countries in which they live.

 

[Ukigumo]

I'm waiting for someone to say that hot drinks cool you down more than cold drinks.

 

[thomas]

I'm waiting for someone to say that hot drinks cool you down more than cold drinks.

Just like a hot shower lowers your body temperature faster than a cold one.

 

[Ukigumo]

It's funny how I don't ever recall patients in ER, with hyperthermia being given hot drinks and a hot shower. Funny that

 

[johnnyG]

It's funny how I don't ever recall patients in ER, with hyperthermia being given hot drinks and a hot shower. Funny that

hyper > hypo ??

 

[johnnyG]

My wife and I battle (figuratively) over the temp at which our water heater should be set at.

I set it at 37, and am able to take a reasonably cool shower. Mixing that with the cold it still comes out cool, but warmer than if the water heater was off completely. She sets it at 50, and at that level, the coolest you can get out of the shower head might be 41 or so. A total no-go in my opinion.

 

[Ukigumo]

hyper > hypo ??

HYPERthermia...being too hot.

 

[Ukigumo]

My wife and I battle (figuratively) over the temp at which our water heater should be set at.

My internal thermostat seems to have flipped in recent years and I require warmer conditions whereas my other half requires cooler conditions.

After the gym, I take the recommended 30 minute hot bath to ease muscle soreness and speed recovery and set these to 40 Celsius. By 10 minutes I'm clock watching has I find baths boring and I start feeling too hot. A 20-25minute dip is usually all I can bear.

 

[johnnyG]

HYPERthermia**...being too hot.

Would that then more typically(?) be called heatstroke, or heat exhaustion?

**Or is that the medical terminology for the lay terms?

 

[Ukigumo]

Would that then more typically(?) be called heatstroke, or heat exhaustion?


**Or is that the medical terminology for the lay terms?

Hyperthermia is just a more general term for having a higher than normal core temperature.

Heatstroke is a condition marked especially by cessation of sweating, extremely high body temperature, and collapse that results from prolonged exposure to high temperature.

Heat exhaustion is characterised by excessive sweating, weakness, dizziness, and nausea, and can lead to heatstroke if not treated promptly.

Sort of degrees of hyperthermia.