July 2023 marks Japan’s highest recorded temperature, surpassing 1978’s record

An analysis by the Asahi Shimbun, based on data from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), indicates that July 2023 was the hottest month in Japan since modern records began in the late 19^th century. The previous record was set in 1978, making this the first time in 45 years that it has been surpassed.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and Asahi Shimbun reported that July 2023 has set a record for being the hottest month in Japan’s recorded history, a significant jump from the previous record set in 1978. The findings are the result of a comprehensive study, overseen by JMA experts, of data from 15 observatories across Japan.

The observatories serve as JMA’s standard for tracking Japan’s average temperatures, and the collected data demonstrated that the average temperature for July 2023 was 25.96 °C (78.7 °F). Although the temperatures in early July hovered around 24 °C (75.2 °F), from July 10 onwards, the country experienced a rapid increase, exceeding 26 °C (78.8 °F).

With an almost complete lack of rainfall and an unusually early end to the rainy season, the nation faced a persistent drought which further amplified the heat. By the 25^th, the average daily temperature had risen to exceed 28 °C (82.4 °F), an unprecedented level of sustained heat.

These numbers far surpass the highest average temperature previously recorded in July 1978, which stood at 25.58 °C (78 °F).

**RECORD**
July 2023 was the hottest July on record for Japan, according to the Asahi Shimbun Digital, which calculated temp records from 15 stations dating back to the late 1800s!

Also, places like Tokyo and Fukushima had an unprecedented hot July.https://t.co/mRwNOdWBJJ pic.twitter.com/mexm3JwrzK

— Sayaka Mori (@sayakasofiamori) August 1, 2023

July 2023 in #Japan was exceptionally hot:
With an anomaly of +1.91C vs 1991-2020 it was by far the hottest July on records,+0.40C above July 1978 (now 2nd).
Summer 2023 so far is N.1 well ahead of any other.
Records are falling by hundreds. Unprecedented. pic.twitter.com/7US2I8m87p

— Extreme Temperatures Around The World (@extremetemps) August 1, 2023

According to preliminary figures from the Fire and Disaster Management Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, in the four weeks spanning July 3 to 30, approximately 33 000 people across the country were transported for heatstroke.

References:

¹ 7月の気温、125年で最も高く　温暖化の影響で45年ぶり記録更新 – Asahi Shimbun Digital – August 1, 2023

Featured image credit: Earth Nullschool (temperature data valid 01:00 UTC on July 28, 2023)