"Already Booked Summer Vacation, But What Now?"... Japan Sizzles at 40 Degrees as Heat Stroke Cases Soar

Record Highs Hit Daily
Sharp Rise in Heat-Related Illnesses
10,000 Hospitalized in a Week... Elderly Bear the Brunt

As Japan continues to experience record-breaking heat waves with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, there has been a sharp increase in heat stroke cases. Over the past week alone, more than 10,000 people have been hospitalized for heat stroke. In response to the rising death toll, authorities have effectively classified the ongoing heat wave as a 'disaster.'

The photo is not directly related to the specific content of the article. Photo by Reuters-Yonhap News.

According to Japan's public broadcaster NHK on July 22, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced that between July 13 and July 19, a total of 10,857 people were transported to hospitals for heat stroke. This figure is more than double that of the previous week (4,580 people), and it is also well over twice the number of those transported in the entire month of June (4,064 people).

Among those transported, 14 have died, 4,382 suffered severe or moderate symptoms, and 6,361 were classified as mild cases. Osaka Prefecture had the highest number by region with 1,041 cases, while by age, those aged 65 and over accounted for 6,734 cases, representing more than half of the total.

Most heat stroke cases occurred at residences rather than outdoors. About 42% of all patients, or 4,523 people, collapsed at home or in apartment buildings. Roads accounted for 2,326 cases, followed by outdoor stadiums, parking lots, and train platforms where cases also continued to emerge.

The photo is not directly related to the content of the article. Photo by AFP Yonhap News.

Multiple Areas Exceed 40 Degrees... Heat Response Strengthened

The heat wave has also continued to break meteorological records. According to the BBC, on July 21, Tajimi City in Gifu Prefecture recorded 40.3 degrees Celsius, Toyota City in Aichi Prefecture reached 40.1 degrees, and the Hachiman district in Gujo City, also in Gifu Prefecture, hit 40 degrees. Both Toyota City and the Hachiman district posted their highest temperatures since observations began.

On the same day, 278 out of 914 observation points across Japan recorded temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius, with three locations exceeding 40 degrees. Heat stroke alerts were issued for 42 out of the country’s 47 prefectures.

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency stated, "It is no exaggeration to call this heat wave, in which many people are being hospitalized or losing their lives, a disaster," urging the public, "Drink water frequently even before you feel thirsty and use air conditioning proactively." The agency also emphasized, "When working outdoors, make sure to take sufficient breaks and strictly follow preventive measures."

As the heat wave persists, response measures are also being strengthened. For example, Tokyo Metropolitan Government has expanded measures from this summer, recommending lighter clothing such as T-shirts, shorts, and sneakers instead of suits and neckties, as part of efforts to cope with the extreme heat.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.