More than 120 people died from heatstroke or heatstroke in the Tokyo metropolitan area in July; when the country's average temperatures hit a record high and heat warnings were in place for most of the month, Japanese authorities said Tuesday (Aug. 6).
According to the Tokyo Medical Examiner's Office, most of the 123 people who died were elderly. All but two were found dead indoors. Most were not using air conditioning despite having it installed.
Japanese health authorities and weather forecasters have repeatedly advised the public to stay indoors, drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, and use air conditioning, while the elderly often think that air conditioning is bad for their health and tend to avoid using it.
The figure is the largest number of heatstroke deaths in Tokyo's 23 metropolitan wards in July, since 127 deaths were recorded during a heat wave in 2018, the medical examiner's office said.
Meanwhile, according to Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency, more than 37,000 people were hospitalized due to heatstroke across the country from July 1 to July 28.
The average temperature in July was 2.16 degrees Celsius higher than the average for the past 30 years, making it the hottest July since the Japan Meteorological Agency began keeping records in 1898.
On Tuesday, a heatstroke warning was in effect for much of Tokyo and western Japan. Temperatures in central Tokyo reached around 34 degrees Celsius (94 degrees Fahrenheit) and many people carried umbrellas or handheld fans.
“I feel like the hot season is getting longer every year,” said Hidehiro Takano of Kyoto. “I have the air conditioner on all the time, including when I sleep. I try not to go outside.”
Maxime Picavet, a French tourist, shows off a portable fan he bought in Tokyo. “It works really well,” he says. “With temperatures like this, it's a must.”
The meteorological agency predicts there will be more heat in August, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius or higher.
“Please pay attention to temperature forecasts and heatstroke warnings, and take adequate precautions to prevent heatstroke,” the agency said in a statement. (th/ab)
