Environment Japan experiences its hottest July on record

Japan saw its hottest July since records began, with average temperatures across the country rising 2.89°C above the usual level, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. This marked the third year in a row that July temperatures have set a new record, following similarly extreme heat in June. The data, based on 15 key observation points from Hokkaido to Okinawa, show that this July's average far exceeded the previous record of 2.16°C set just last year, making it the most extreme on record since statistics began in 1898.



Alongside the intense heat, July also saw a significant lack of rainfall in many regions. The Sea of Japan side of the Tōhoku region and the Hokuriku region recorded their lowest July precipitation levels ever, with totals amounting to just 13% and 8% of the average, respectively. Some cities experienced particularly stark deficits: Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture saw just 1% of its usual rainfall, Niigata 2%, Yamagata 4%, and Sendai 10%. Across the country, ten observation sites either set or matched their lowest-ever rainfall totals for July.



In Japan, 10,804 people, more than half of whom were aged over 64, were taken to hospital suffering from exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses in the week up to 21 July – the highest weekly number so far this year. Sixteen people died, according to the fire and disaster management agency.

Japanese weather officials said the temperature on Wednesday had risen to 41.2°C in Tamba, in the western prefecture of Hyogo. They urged people to stay hydrated and use air conditioners and electric fans to prevent heat-related illnesses. Japan's temperature record was broken as a high-pressure system brought clear skies and blistering heat to many parts of the country, the meteorological agency said, adding that the brutal weather was expected to continue into Thursday. The agency said temperatures on Wednesday had exceeded 35C at 271 of its 914 observation points, with new highs seen in 39 places. The previous record of 41.1°C was set in Hamamatsu in Shizuoka prefecture, in August 2020, and in Kumagaya, Saitama prefecture near Tokyo, in July 2018. The extreme heat poses a particular threat to the countries' large populations of older people.

Click to expand...