national

Japan issues heatstroke alerts as temperatures soar

81 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© 2023 AFP

©2023 GPlusMedia Inc.


81 Comments
Login to comment

One dies of heatstroke if one has a condiyion or does not want to listen to his body, so children and elderly people.

Give time foe your body to adapt. Going from an A/C space to the outside is also hurtful to one's body with such temperatures.

-20 ( +7 / -27 )

One dies of heatstroke if one has a condiyion or does not want to listen to his body, so children and elderly people.

Some people are more easily affected by it, but everybody is as risk from heat stroke, even perfectly healthy young adults.

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/heat-illnesses

22 ( +32 / -10 )

I walked several kilometers yesterday but took breaks in between and drank more than enough water to regulate the heat.

Apart from a bit of sunburn, my body is fine and I feel healthier today.

-10 ( +17 / -27 )

Not knowing Japans meteorological environment, is Japan usually humid as well as being hot or is it a dry heat? Humidity can greatly increase the impact of temperature. 25 to 30 C in Britain can be hard to bear and catches out visitors used to far higher dry temperatures, because it is always humid throughout the year. If Japan is 40 degrees and humid that will be tough!

Living in an air conditioned environment can prevent the bodies natural ability to acclimatise and adapt to environments.

-7 ( +8 / -15 )

North America and Europe are also being hit by extreme heat.

12 ( +17 / -5 )

Western media isn't reporting on this heatwave, only those happening in America or Europe.

They don't care how hot it gets here. They only care about Japan when theres pictures of destruction and a high death count to go with it.

-36 ( +5 / -41 )

A large reason for this is that many Japanese people seem to be chronically dehydrated. Go ahead and hit that like button if the daily water intake of the majority of people you see here consists of 1 x 500ml bottle. When you consider the RDI of water is your 5% of your bodyweight, plus an extra liter for every hour of deliberate or incidental exercise, is it any wonder they drop like flies over summer?

-3 ( +11 / -14 )

I'm going to sit in the Tamagawa....

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Oooh, it was sooo hot yesterday. Walked about with my partner and we ate out and walked home after, we are eco friendly you see. Anyway, I felt a bit queer after arriving home, I guessed to the heat. I even laid down in front of AC for a few hours and watched a couple of films which is totally unlike me.

Stay safe everyone.

-12 ( +11 / -23 )

today is nice sunny hot day,enjoy your summer everyone

-20 ( +7 / -27 )

Been to hospital twice with heatstroke. Drip feed.

my advice: cold showers, go to the beach, River, lake, drink one can of beer every thirty minutes and ignore government advise not to use aircon under 28 degrees. Drink lots of water, or put ice in your beer.

humidity is the worst.

-7 ( +11 / -18 )

 scientists say climate change is intensifying the risk of heavy rains in Japan and elsewhere because a warmer atmosphere holds more water.

I want to believe that those loyal to the globe's petrochemical establishment will sooner than later come to understand that man-made climate change is threatening all forms of life on the planet, and if they live in democracies where elections are allowed will vote out the petrochemical establishment's puppet politicians and vote in those willing and able to find measures to confront climate change.

3 ( +11 / -8 )

Rodney

Be careful, beers can dehydrate you mate.

5 ( +15 / -10 )

OS1 is my tip for staying hydrated.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Drinking water alleviates heatstroke -who would have thought it?

10 ( +13 / -3 )

drink one can of beer every thirty minutes 

Are you serious? This ‘advice’ is foolhardy at best.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

Drinking water alleviates heatstroke -who would have thought it?

Yes. A lot of water-deniers on the forums today.

Drink the water your body needs, no heatstroke. How simply does it have to be spelled out?

"But, but... I don't **like water**" cry the coffee/soda addicts and people who think they can draw enough moisture from their combini ramen cups.

Well then, enjoy your heatstroke.

15 ( +20 / -5 )

I hope people still don't think global warming is a conspiracy theory. Golly gosh what are they like?

Don't forget, the government can't control the weather!!!

-3 ( +10 / -13 )

Took my son to Yomiuriland yesterday. It was brutally hot, but one thing I noticed with too many Japanese people there is they overdress. That can't be safe or comfortable in such heat.

16 ( +20 / -4 )

Be careful, beers can dehydrate you mate.

so I advise every 30 minutes, and drink with ice.

-9 ( +6 / -15 )

Forgot to mention foolish people wearing masks outside in 37 degrees.

-1 ( +14 / -15 )

Born and raised in Southeast Asia and here's what I can point out what the Japanese do wrong during hot weather: 1. they turn the airconditioner's thermostat too high, I get the cool biz campaign, but set it to a comfy temperature. 2. use electric fans, don't believe that urban legend. 3. don't drink hot drinks during the heat of the day. 4. sleep cool, you don't need that thick mattress and blankets during the summer. 5. dress down. you probably can ditch the coat and tie when commuting and just wear a t-shirt.

20 ( +23 / -3 )

Just took the garbage out already at 30ºC.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Been here the best part of 30 years and this is the most brutal heat I've felt yet.

Walking my dog at 6am (he needs a good hour's exercise in the morning) and we were both knackered when we got back.

Still arafos with blankets on their laps in the 28⁰C office, though.

10 ( +15 / -5 )

We sleep on ice pillows which is very nice. A small fan next to the bed and the ac for one hour after we retire.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Here's a tip for you stop wearing so much clothes and masks in this weather its summer drink water and you will be ok lol every year its the same

1 ( +12 / -11 )

As they are issuing an alert, in the meantime I’m drinking some bourbon and did get dehydrated in the heat

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

I haven't found it that hot yet to be fair. Humid so sweat easily but the heat isn't blazing. I am from a place that gets much, much hotter than here though. So always can't understand the fuss. Plus summer is so short here. Stay hydrated and in the shade and will be easier to deal with.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

17 )

englisc aspyrgendToday  06:45 am JST

Not knowing Japans meteorological environment, is Japan usually humid as well as being hot or is it a dry heat? Humidity can greatly increase the impact of temperature. 25 to 30 C in Britain can be hard to bear and catches out visitors used to far higher dry temperatures, because it is always humid throughout the year. If Japan is 40 degrees and humid that will be tough!

Living in an air conditioned environment can prevent the bodies natural ability to acclimatise and adapt to environments.

Humid type. Add 5 degrees if you compare to dry heat. For ex today 37 degrees in Tokyo which feels like 42 in dry heat.

Absolutely impossible to live without air conditionned in most of Japan.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Took my son to Yomiuriland yesterday. It was brutally hot, but one thing I noticed with too many Japanese people there is they overdress. That can't be safe or comfortable in such heat.

That and absolutely NO sunglasses in the streets, which is odd as 9 in 10 drivers I see around me are wearing sunglasses.

They probably feel protected in their "private" space but are terrified of standing out wearing sunglasses while walking? Another japanese weird trait I will never understand....

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Walking my dog at 6am (he needs a good hour's exercise in the morning) and we were both knackered when we got back.

i walk my dog about the same time. I walked one time a 11am and my shoes broke. The road was so hot I got blistered walking bare foot.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

My Japanese wife is wearing denim jeans today. I can't wear denim after April or ill turn into a ball of flames.

13 ( +16 / -3 )

most of the females in Kanto area hide their skin and covered in long sleeves like it’s winter. Dress corrects and you won’t be sweating like a pig but I do understand the reason most cover up in the summer is because they do want to get a sun tan.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

It's pretty hot today, no doubt, but not even close to the hottest I've ever experienced in Osaka. The way the alarmists are carrying on, you'd think the Sun's corona had reached out and kissed the Earth.

-9 ( +9 / -18 )

The way the alarmists are carrying on

Heat warnings are "alarmist" now? You really aren't able to dial your edgelord rhetoric down a notch, are you?

0 ( +14 / -14 )

Touched a raw nerve, did I Roy?

-5 ( +11 / -16 )

I use sunblock but I still need to cover all of the exposed skin otherwise I burn. Usually, I wear about 5-6 t-shirts in a day. Always a dry one in my bag.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

I go to the coldest cafe in Fukuoka and have an espresso the shop is ice cold and just 5 min from my house and is becoming a new big hit, beats the heat, with no sweat and no fuss, plus I can do all of my office work in peace and comfort.

-4 ( +10 / -14 )

It's pretty hot today, no doubt, but not even close to the hottest I've ever experienced in Osaka. 

Either way you can't deny climate change is real.

7 ( +18 / -11 )

bass4funk

I go to the coldest cafe in Fukuoka and have an espresso the shop is ice cold and just 5 min from my house and is becoming a new big hit, beats the heat, with no sweat and no fuss, plus I can do all of my office work in peace and comfort.

So you can't do that at home. You said your ac was 24/7. Expresso is easy to make. Not all is ever what it seems.

12 ( +17 / -5 )

Temps have been over 40c where I am and decided to stay in and do housework than outdoors activities.

Can't take a chance with sweltering temps.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

So you can't do that at home.

I do it all the time at home.

You said your ac was 24/7.

Yes

Expresso is easy to make. Not all is ever what it seems.

Ahh, but that's where you are wrong, it is all about the beans that are used and this place is just highly rated and top-notch, so why would I make it at home when I can have someone making it way better than I ever could?

-5 ( +9 / -14 )

Nothing to do anyways, I just sit at home video gaming allday muliplayer lot better than going out in that heat. Night bars are great to hide from the heat but unhealthy.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

I had to help my daughter move out of her apartment.

My god it was hot.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

It's pretty hot today, no doubt, but not even close to the hottest I've ever experienced in Osaka. *

Either way you can't deny climate change is real.

It’s not the hottest — by a long shot — that I’ve ever experienced in Osaka either. For me, 30° to 35° is not so bad now. When I lived in the heat and humidity of the Deep South, 90°F (32°C) was a scorcher. Now it seems a little on the cool side.

And Elvis must have experienced the same in Memphis. But I’m sure things have changed these past 100 years — they’ve certainly changed these past 20 years in Osaka — and based on my own experience and observation, they’re changing on an increasingly faster pace.

If you have the time and humanity, get in contact with your elderly neighbors and let them know you can help them if they ever need it.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Went for a run yesterday and today. As long as you drink water it is no problem.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Went for a run yesterday and today. As long as you drink water it is no problem.

Same. But it's rough lately - my energy gets sapped much more quickly in this heat. Have to swap out running for swimming on days when it's really bad.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Either way you can't deny climate change is real.

I never did. The climate's always changing.

-5 ( +9 / -14 )

I never did.

Nah. You denied it.

-1 ( +12 / -13 )

For those in denial:

The world has just gone through a remarkable experience. It endured the hottest week ever recorded between 3-10 July this year. And meteorologists say there is more to come – a lot more.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/16/red-alert-the-worlds-hottest-week-ever-and-more-is-to-forecast-to-come

3 ( +13 / -10 )

My weekly grocery delivery man turned up this morning apologizing for dripping sweat everywhere. I suggested he take off his mask, and he told me the company insists they wear masks when out in public, regardless of the temperature. The poor man was literally gasping for breath. I told him to take the mask off while he made my delivery.

i walk my dog about the same time. I walked one time a 11am and my shoes broke. The road was so hot I got blistered walking bare foot

Imagine what it does to the pooch’s paws. Always check the temperature of the roadway before taking the dog out, and as much as possible try to walk him in the shade.

9 ( +13 / -4 )

It's been 43c for the last 5 weeks where I live.

It's been brutal. And another coming week forecast for same.

Heat safety is very important. Stay safe.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Nah. You denied it.

Where?

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

It's 38 degrees in Nagoya today... awful.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Japanese and the affectionate addiction to mask need to stop them from having a heat stroke. Covid is long gone or undeadly

3 ( +9 / -6 )

High School girls lacrosse competition in my local park in Osaka yesterday and today. Players aren't masked but the officials and many sideline parents are. They're playing on a hard sand surface in the boiling sun. Common sense would recommend they play in the early evening under lights but you know this Japan so...

9 ( +16 / -7 )

Been to hospital twice with heatstroke. Drip feed.

my advice: cold showers, go to the beach,

Thanks, that gave me a laugh. Reminds me of a twice-divorced friend who likes to give marriage advice. Cold showers are great, but the beach is the last place you want to go in this weather. The hot sand adds several degrees to the temperature and there is very little shade on most beaches in Japan. Now jumping into a cold river or a waterfall... that'll help.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

It's pretty hot today, no doubt, but not even close to the hottest I've ever experienced in Osaka

Not even close? That’s some gap.

What the temperature today in Osaka and what is the hottest you’ve experienced there?

4 ( +8 / -4 )

I think Elvis is right on this issue. First two weeks of July could be the hottest the world has experienced in 120,000 years. This coming week in certain parts of Europe it’s projected to reach 49 degrees Celsius. Mind boggling and impossible to deny that we are in serious trouble with climate change tipping points about to tip.

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

JimizoToday  03:02 pm JST

It's pretty hot today, no doubt, but not even close to the hottest I've ever experienced in Osaka

Not even close? That’s some gap.

What the temperature today in Osaka and what is the hottest you’ve experienced there?

According the weather on my computer, in my area it's 34 at the moment, and there's a light breeze so it's not too nasty. I do remember it getting up to the high 30s here in some previous summers.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

I'm so glad we have a yard as a backup for the dogs when it's too hot for a real walk. Also, concrete sidewalks in the neighborhood, so we don't need to walk on even hotter blacktop. Worst case, we can drive to a grassy park or dirt-covered field, to get our and the dogs' steps in.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

What the temperature today in Osaka and what is the hottest you’ve experienced there?

That’s a good question. I’ve experienced 38° several times, and at that point I’ll throw my hands up and admit it’s hot.

I’m out on my afternoon walk right now in central Osaka and it’s toasty but survivable. Mostly I’m watching the older people and preparing to buy them some water if they seem to be in need.

The number of ambulance sirens, though, is increasing dramatically.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

I use sunblock but I still need to cover all of the exposed skin otherwise I burn. Usually, I wear about 5-6 t-shirts in a day. Always a dry one in my bag.

Who does your washing?

There must be heaps of it!

1 ( +4 / -3 )

There are several 避暑地 or places you can enjoy away from the heat around Tokyo and all across Japan, my weekend has been 23-27℃ max. and I'm less than 2h away from Tokyo.

Summer is the blessed season when you're free to do whatever you want the moment you step out of the bed but going all the way to crowded places in the middle of the cities is a bit pointless...

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Japan issues heatstroke alerts

for what?

it’s summer.

its july

its scorching hot

drink water and stay out of the sun.

it’s been like this for centuries.

are people still not getting it?

2 ( +11 / -9 )

Japan issues heatstroke alerts

for what?

To annoy people who are annoyed by Japan issuing heat stroke alerts.

It is super effective.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

It's a good time of the year to debug your house, crank your heaters up, it kills everything.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

The News has reported that more people die from heatstroke than from floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes, combined. It is something to be taken seriously. I am very thankful that we live close enough to the Pacific Ocean to benefit from the cold current offshore. That is perhaps part of the reason why home prices are so high here in Cali.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Rodney

I think if you continue to drink so much beer in the heat, then 2 times in the hospital with heat stroke is not enough.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

For those with dogs. I poor two litres of water over our mut before early morning or evening walks comes back much cooler and reduces the floor mouth dribble considerable. Don't walk ya dog between 10-6 if ya can help it.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

if this beastly heat continues I may pop to Sapporo for a week and stay at her mums. Might pop to Otaru fo a laugh, lol

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

That and absolutely NO sunglasses in the streets, which is odd as 9 in 10 drivers I see around me are wearing sunglasses.

They probably feel protected in their "private" space but are terrified of standing out wearing sunglasses while walking? Another japanese weird trait I will never understand....

Very intriguing observation.

And I think you nailed the rationale for that behavior.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Chiba has plenty of beaches to go to and cool down but I hate to say it... most of those beaches are crap and the infrastructure along the beaches is crap too. Also... most Japanese beaches have small rivers running in to them and those rivers are full of.... yes, crap. This country does not have zoning restrictions which would help vastly in improving leisure locations and facilities.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Long theorized in anime, Japan needs to start building its cities downward to escape the hotter and hotter climate. It already has all the subway infrastructure

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The JMA issued heatstroke alerts for 39 prefectures.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I am an engineer specialized in HVAC and provide technical assistance to many building companies about overheating issues.

Fearmongering is no good.

No healthy adult will get himself/herself in getting heatstroke conditions if not doing it on purpose like stopping drinking, wearing full black clothes, staying long time in direct sunlight, high activity, etc.

Human body is a well working machine if in normal working conditions, no matter what people say.

One cap and a bottle nearby will totally make it impossible to get heatstroke.

If you are out total common sense, one could die the by stopping breathing lol.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Hot and humidity especially makes body less in in control and climate change is real.

Still, in the past, there were times human beings have been confronted to harsher environments. It is the rate of change that is unnatural.

But either adapt or die, or to say in soft way, apply common sense or get heat stroke.

Temperatures are more measured as time goes thanks to technology (what are all those satellites sent to space for ?) and have been only since 1654 at best (invention of thermometer) so world records are popping out like bubbles in boiling water...

Each time you use electricty, guess what, you speed up climate change, well done !

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Ah_soJuly 17  06:50 am JST

North America and Europe are also being hit by extreme heat.

12( +17 / -5 )

It depends on where in NA. Most northern states have been quite cool from time to time this summer.

My homewtown has been chilly actually this whole past week.

My relatives had to turn on their heaters on in the morning the other day.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites