Japan Heatwave: July 2024 is the Hottest on Record, 59 Died from Heatstroke

TOKYO, Japan – Japan has experienced its hottest July since records began 126 years ago, with temperatures 2.16 degrees Celsius above the average, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). This surpasses last year’s record by 0.25 degrees Celsius.

The JMA announced on Thursday that the July temperature was the highest recorded since statistics started in 1898, with temperatures significantly elevated nationwide. Out of 153 observation sites across Japan, 62 reported record-breaking temperatures for the month.

Factors contributing to the extreme heat include a persistent high-pressure system over the Pacific and warm air from the south affecting northern regions of the archipelago, the JMA noted.

Since April, Japan has reported 59 heatstroke-related fatalities, as per the disaster management agency. In Tokyo, residents have been seen using parasols and cooling accessories like chunky necklaces stored in freezers to combat the intense heat. Street performer Jiro Kan, 56, shared his experience, stating, “After spending two hours standing here, I get so sweaty I can literally squeeze it all out from my shirt. I’m drenched.”

Kan, who performs in Tokyo’s Asakusa district, noted that visitors from drier climates, such as the United States, find Japan’s heat and humidity particularly challenging.

In Shizuoka, west of Tokyo, temperatures soared to 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) last month, marking the first time a Japanese region has reached this extreme threshold this year. This figure far exceeds the 35-degree threshold classified as “extremely hot” by authorities.

Heatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent worldwide, with the European Union’s climate monitor reporting in July that the Earth experienced its warmest day on record.

Here are the key points:

1. Record Heat: Japan has experienced its hottest July since record-keeping began 126 years ago, with temperatures 2.16°C above average.
2. Previous Record: This July’s temperatures surpassed last year’s record by 0.25°C.
3. Nationwide Impact: Out of 153 observation sites, 62 reported record-breaking temperatures for July.
4. Contributing Factors: The extreme heat is attributed to a high-pressure system over the Pacific and warm air from the south.
5. Heatstroke Fatalities: Since April, 59 people have died from heatstroke in Japan.
6. Public Response: Tokyo residents are using parasols and cooling accessories to cope with the heat. Street performer Jiro Kan described the extreme conditions he faces.
7. Regional Extremes: Shizuoka became the first Japanese region to hit 40°C (104°F) this year, exceeding the 35°C threshold deemed “extremely hot.”
8. Global Context: Heatwaves are becoming more common worldwide, with the Earth experiencing its warmest day on record in July according to the European Union’s climate monitor.