Record-breaking heat in Japan leads to 4 deaths as mercury touches 40 °C (104 °F)

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued extreme heat warnings on July 7, 2024, after parts of Japan broke record heat levels. On the same day, Shizuoka touched 40 °C (104 °F), marking its highest recorded temperature since records began in 1940. The heatwave has led to four deaths and over 2 000 hospitalizations.

Authorities in Japan issued Extreme Heat Warnings after the temperature reached 40 °C (104 °F) for the first time in 2024 on July 7. This temperature was recorded shortly after 13:00 LT in Shizuoka — marking its highest recorded temperature since records began in 1940.

Additionally, 244 other locations saw temperatures rise to 35 °C (95 °F) or higher, a level officially recognized as “extremely hot.”

On July 8, multiple heat records were broken in various cities in Japan:

• Shingu: 36.9 °C (98.4 °F), 10.3 °C (18.5 °F) higher than the previous record.
• Fuchu: 39.2 °C (102.6 °F), 9.8°C (17.6 °F) higher than the previous record.
• Ogaki: 29.2 °C (84.6 °F), 6.4 °C (11.5 °F) higher than the previous record.
• Tsu: 29.8 °C (85.6 °F), 6.6 °C (11.9 °F) higher than the previous record.

Currently, 18 cities across different prefectures are under heatstroke alerts issued by Japan’s Meteorological Agency.

A heatwave continues to dominate Japan. For the first time in recorded history, Shizuoka reached the forty-degree mark on Sunday, which is 11 degrees higher than normal.

I'd like to emphasize that we are still a month away from the hottest time of the year. pic.twitter.com/x6guvoDAqn

— Sayaka Mori (@sayakasofiamori) July 7, 2024

More all-time records were broken in Japan. While Shingu and Fuchu had record-high temperatures during the day, Tsu and Ogaki experienced the hottest night on record. The high humidity of Japanese summers makes the heat feel even more unbearable than the actual temperature. pic.twitter.com/g0253kB9hi

— Sayaka Mori (@sayakasofiamori) July 8, 2024

At least four deaths associated with the weather have been reported in recent days. A woman in her 90s was pronounced dead after collapsing at home, while an 83-year-old woman died after working outside, according to media reports on July 7. A man in his 70s was also found dead at his home after cutting grass in the heat.

In the last week of June, 2 276 people were taken to hospital for heatstroke, more than half of them over the age of 65, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

Firefighters were called out in Kyoto after nine children showed symptoms of heatstroke during a school trip. Three were taken to hospital, according to public broadcaster NHK, which warned that temperatures had reached “life-threatening” levels.

On July 7, 198 people were taken to the hospital in Tokyo with suspected heatstroke, said NHK. The temperature in some parts of the city had reached at least 35 °C (95 °F) by mid-morning on July 8.

Statistics from the Health Ministry, reported by the Japan Times, show that the number of heatstroke-related deaths increased from an average of 201 people a year between 1995 and 1999, to an average of 1 295 from 2018 to 2022. Between 80% and 90% of those who die are over 65, according to data cited by the newspaper.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has advised people not to go outside unless necessary, to use their air conditioners during the day and at night, and to drink plenty of water to stay safe.

References:

¹ Heatstroke Alert – JMA – July 9, 2024

² Heatstroke alerts issued across Japan as heatwave leads to four deaths – The Guardian – July 8, 2024