News Japan marks hottest day of year

While headlines carrying the word "hottest" aren't news anymore, heat records are still shattered almost daily. Today marked the hottest day of this year in Japan: the temperature hit 40 degrees Celsius in Date, Fukushima, as a heat wave continued to scorch the country.

The Meteorological Agency said the mercury had hit exactly 40 degrees at 2 p.m. in the city. While Tohoku region, where Fukushima is located, has traditionally seen cooler temperatures than some other parts of the country, dangerous heat has hit life-threatening levels across a broad of Japan, according to the agency. Temperatures in Sakai, Fukui Prefecture, as well as the city of Fukushima, both rose above 39 degrees around 2 p.m., the agency said. As of 2 p.m., 225 locations had experienced an "extremely hot day," meaning that the highest recorded temperature there surpassed 35 degrees.

Click to expand...

On Saturday, heat stroke alerts were in effect for 41 of Japan's 47 prefectures. Officials have urged people to stay indoors as much as possible and take precautions to prevent heat stroke if venturing outside is required.



Last month was the hottest July in Japan in more than a century, according to an analysis of average temperatures since 1898. It looks like August will beat that record easily.

The Asahi Shimbun made the calculations under the guidance of JMA experts. The rise points to a long-term trend of global warming. Over the 126 years studied, July average temperatures have risen about 1.5 degrees. There was also a 1.8 degree increase during the first six months of the year. But the increase has been sharpest in recent years. From the year 2000 onward there was a notable increase in the number of days with a maximum of at least 35 degrees. Urban centers have it the worst. Data from Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, Nagoya's Chikusa Ward, Osaka's Chuo Ward and Fukuoka's Chuo Ward showed a July average of 28.84 degrees, 2.3 degrees higher than in 1898.

Click to expand...

According to an analysis by researchers from the University of Tokyo and other institutions, health damage caused by heat-related sleep disorders in Japan's urban areas may be comparable to that of heatstroke.

One of the team's researchers, Tomohiko Ihara, associate professor at the University of Tokyo, said, "Sleep disorders not only lower the quality of life, but may also have the effect of decreasing efficiency during work and while learning. It is believed that when room temperatures exceed 26-27 C, people have trouble falling asleep and the quality of their sleep declines, so we need to call for the appropriate use of air conditioning at night."

Click to expand...

This year, fan-equipped clothes for those working outdoors have become the new normal.

As the sweltering summer heat continues in Japan, battery-powered, fan-equipped outfits are attracting attention to keep cool. Originally used by construction workers as a heat protection measure, there is growing demand for fan-equipped clothing when people go out into the wild or in the city.

Click to expand...

We had a long stretch of hot humid weather so I gave in and bought a new air conditioner for my bedroom. That was a week ago and we have had cool damp weather since I installed it. I guess I should be happy I'm saving on the electricity bill.