A widespread heatwave continues to bake much of Japan, prompting authorities to issue heatstroke alerts across nearly 60% of the country’s prefectures. Temperatures are soaring, with several cities bracing for highs nearing 40 degrees Celsius.
The intense heat poses a notable health risk to vulnerable populations – the elderly, children, and those with underlying health conditions – and is straining energy resources as air conditioning demand surges. Officials are urging residents to take precautions, including staying hydrated and seeking cool environments, as the heatwave is expected to persist.
The Japan Meteorological Agency reports that temperatures rose rapidly Tuesday morning across a broad swath of the nation, from the Pacific coast of the Tohoku region southward to Kyushu.A weather front brought relief in the form of rain and cloud cover to Hokkaido and areas along the Sea of Japan in Tohoku, but much of the country remains under a heat advisory.
By 11 a.m. local time, Sendai City recorded 37 degrees Celsius, while Kamaishi City in Iwate Prefecture reached 36.8 degrees. Toyama City and central tokyo both registered 36.7 and 36.5 degrees Celsius, respectively, with further increases anticipated throughout the afternoon.
forecasters predict a daytime high of 39 degrees Celsius in Maebashi City, Gunma prefecture, and Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture. Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture, and Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, are expected to see temperatures climb to 38 degrees Celsius.
Specifically, daytime highs of 37 degrees Celsius are forecast for central Tokyo, Fukushima City, Toyama City, and takamatsu. Nagoya and Osaka are expected to reach 36 degrees Celsius.
In response to the dangerous conditions, officials have issued alerts for 28 of Japan’s 47 prefectures, warning of a very high risk of heatstroke. They are strongly advising citizens to utilize air conditioning,drink plenty of fluids,and replenish electrolytes with salt.
