• 57 people died, and 18,000 were taken to hospital, in the space of a single week in Japan, which is grappling with a powerful heat wave.
• According to Kyodo News, more than triple the number of hospitalizations occurred this week in response to heat, most of which were for people aged over 65.
• High temperatures have plagued Japan for weeks, and show little sign of stopping.

57 people died and more than 18,000 were taken to hospital in the space of a single week as Japan grappled with a powerful heat wave.

According to Kyodo News, 18,347 people were taken to the hospital in the last week, more than three times the number recorded the week before that.

The figures are for July 29 to August 4, and were released at the beginning of this week. They paint a bleak picture of how Japan is copying with its ongoing high temperatures.

Just over half of those hospitalized were aged 65 and older, the report said. It is common for the very old and very young to suffer worst in extreme temperatures.

The highest number of hospitalizations occurred in Tokyo, where more than 1,800 people were hospitalized, Kyodo said.

Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency told said that atmospheric high pressure led to the lengthy hot period. Temperatures climbed to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) in Tokyo in the last week.

On Wednesday, temperatures reached 38.4 C (101 F) in Kumagaya, a city northwest of Tokyo, and 36.9 C (98.4 F) in Fukushima and Osaka, according to Japan’s public broadcaster, NHK.

High temperatures have plagued Japan for weeks, resulting in scores of heat-related deaths this summer.

Last month, more than 80 people died in a heat wave where temperatures climbed above 40 C (104 F) in parts of the country.

Then temperatures reached a record 41.1 C (105.8 F) according to Kyodo News, prompting Japan’s Meteorological Agency to issue a warning that the heat posed a “threat to life.”

“We recognize it as a natural disaster,” a spokesperson said last month. </s> 57 people died and more than 18,000 were taken to hospital in the space of a single week as Japan grappled with a powerful heat wave.

According to Kyodo News, 18,347 people were taken to the hospital in the last week, more than three times the number recorded the week before that.

The figures are for July 29 to August 4, and were released at the beginning of this week. They paint a bleak picture of how Japan is copying with its ongoing high temperatures.

Just over half of those hospitalized were aged 65 and older, the report said. It is common for the very old and very young to suffer worst in extreme temperatures.

The highest number of hospitalizations occurred in Tokyo, where more than 1,800 people were hospitalized, Kyodo said.

Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency told said that atmospheric high pressure led to the lengthy hot period. Temperatures climbed to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) in Tokyo in the last week.

On Wednesday, temperatures reached 38.4 C (101 F) in Kumagaya, a city northwest of Tokyo, and 36.9 C (98.4 F) in Fukushima and Osaka, according to Japan's public broadcaster, NHK.

High temperatures have plagued Japan for weeks, resulting in scores of heat-related deaths this summer.

Last month, more than 80 people died in a heat wave where temperatures climbed above 40 C (104 F) in parts of the country.

Then temperatures reached a record 41.1 C (105.8 F) according to Kyodo News, prompting Japan's Meteorological Agency to issue a warning that the heat posed a "threat to life."

"We recognize it as a natural disaster," a spokesperson said last month. </s> Record-breaking temperatures have lasted for nearly a week, with the mercury reaching 38C or higher in parts of Japan. The heatwave is thought to be lasting until at least the end of the month, with temperatures soaring every day. Cities seem to be worst hit, with officials in Tokyo reporting more than 3,000 emergency calls in 24 hours - a single day record. Japan's meteorological agency has issued advice for residents, urging them to stay hydrated.

Avoiding outdoor exercise and seeking medical attention as soon as any symptoms of heatstroke appear is also crucial. More than 12,000 people have attended hospital due to heat-related concerns in the first two weeks of July according to official figures. In Kyoto, records have been broken as the mercury measured above 38C for seven consecutive days. This is the longest it has been so warm since records began.

A six-year-old boy is the youngest person to have died due to the heatwave. He took part in a school outing in the boiling hot weather and died of heatstroke. Officials have warned schools to postpone outdoor activities until after the heatwave has subsided. AccuWeather President and Founder Dr Joel N. Myers said: “AccuWeather estimates the death toll from Japan heat wave is likely already in the hundreds despite the official toll of somewhat more than two dozen, and we predict the number will climb into the thousands before the heat wave ends,”

“The actual total human toll may not ever be known as heat-related fatality reports are historically underdone since not all deaths are correctly attributed to heat and some result from accelerating serious health issues and the fatalities show up weeks later. “The elderly and those with pre-existent conditions, such as asthma and heart failure, are likely to face declining health due to exacerbation of their conditions due to weather. “Heat exhaustion and stroke, dehydration, migraines, loss of sleep and mood alteration can all occur due to dangerous heat. “Historical data shows that more people are likely to be involved in vehicle crashes due to heat-related impacts, such as decreased ability to concentrate, the poor quality of sleep they get and impaired mood, etc.” </s> A deadly heat wave blistering across Japan has claimed more than 40 lives this month, with little relief in sight as record temperatures are expected to persist until later this week.

The country logged its highest-ever temperature at 106 degrees Fahrenheit (41.1°C) in Kumagaya, near Tokyo on Monday afternoon, according to Japan’s Kyodo news agency.

Eleven people, mostly senior citizens, died of suspected heatstroke on Saturday alone, the Japan Times reports. The searing heat has also seen a surge in distress calls, with an estimated 10,000 people hospitalized for heat-related conditions since the heat wave began on July 9.

Temperatures reached 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.7°C) in central Japan’s Tajimi city, Gifu Prefecture earlier this week, the highest in the country for five years. While in Kyoto, temperatures peaked at 103°F (39.8°C) after seven consecutive days of being above 100°F — a first since records began.

The country’s meteorological agency on Sunday issued active heat warnings in 39 of Japan’s 47 prefectures, and has broadcast calls for residents in affected areas to drink water and use air conditioners, Japan’s Yomiuri Shobun reports.

On Saturday, the Tokyo fire department dispatched more than 3,000 ambulances on Saturday, the most active day in the department’s history.

The heat has also added complications to rescue and rehabilitation efforts in western Japan, which is still reeling from widespread flooding and landslides that claimed more than 200 lives this month. An estimated 4,500 people displaced from their homes are still living in emergency shelters, according to ABC. </s> • Temperatures in Japan unexpectedly rose after the end of a rainy season this summer, with highs of about 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) expected this week.
• At least 11 people have died, and 5,600 others have been taken to hospital due to the heat.
• A 28-year-old part-time theme park worker died from heatstroke after practising a dance in the heat on Sunday.

At least 11 people, including a theme park mascot, have died due to an unexpected heat wave sweeping Japan.

An additional 5,664 people around the country were taken to hospital with heat-related medical issues last week, the Japanese government said Tuesday, according to the Kyodo news agency.

Temperatures unexpectedly rose after the end of the country’s rainy season, with most of the country’s monitoring posts recording highs of over 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

The city of Nagoya, central Japan, is due a high of 37 C (98.6 F) on Thursday and Friday, according to the JMA.

Yohei Yamaguchi, a 28-year-old part-time amusement park worker, died from heatstroke after practising a dance outdoors in a 16-kilogram (35.3-pound) mascot costume on Sunday night, Kyodo reported.

Yamaguchi had been practising the dance on an outdoors stage in Hirakata amusement park for about 20 minutes from 7:30 p.m., and lost consciousness around 8 p.m., Kyodo and The Asahi Shimbun reported, citing local police.

He died shortly after being rushed to hospital, Asahi reported. Temperatures were about 28.7 C (83.7 F) at the time, the newspaper said, citing the meteorological agency.

The operator of Hirakata Park, the amusement park where Yamaguchi worked, apologized for the death and said it would “find the cause of it and work to prevent it from happening again,” according to Asahi.

Hirakata Park has also canceled all mascot-related events this summer, Kyodo and Asahi said.

Last summer, seventy-seven people died in an unprecedented heat wave in Japan, with temperatures reaching 41.1 C (105.8 F). The JMA classified it as a natural disaster.

Read more: The climate crisis is inherently unfair. These 9 countries will get hit especially hard as the globe heats up.

Europe also grappled with two separate heat waves this summer, which has broken all-time temperature records in multiple countries and killed at least nine people in total.

India has also seen highs of more than 50 C (122 F) this year, leaving more than 100 people dead.

The US East Coast also grappled with a heat wave in mid-July, with authorities placing 147 million people under a heat advisory or excessive heat warning. At least four people died. </s> Japanese officials classified the country's historic heat wave as a natural disaster, warning citizens Tuesday to stay inside and avoid life-threatening temperatures of 104 degrees in some areas.

At least 65 people have died in the blistering heat since early July, but the actual figure is thought to be much higher.

“AccuWeather estimates the death toll from the Japan heat wave is likely already in the hundreds despite the official toll, and we predict the number will climb into the thousands before the heat wave ends,” said Joel Myers, the company's president and founder.

More than 22,000 people have been taken to hospitals with heat-stroke symptoms, Japanese officials said. In the city of Kumagaya, temperatures soared to 106 degrees on Monday, the highest temperature ever reported in the country and nearly 12 degrees hotter than average July temperatures. In Tokyo, the heat reached 104 degrees.

Temperatures dipped Tuesday in Tokyo, peaking at 91 degrees in the afternoon.

"We are observing unprecedented levels of heat in some areas," weather agency spokesman Motoaki Takekawa said, according to the BBC.

Officials are especially concerned about children because less than half of Japan's public schools have air conditioning. Summer break from school may be extended to keep children from overheated conditions, Yoshihide Suga, a government spokesman, said in a news conference Tuesday.

"As a record heat wave continues to blanket the country, urgent measures are required to protect the lives of schoolchildren," he said.

Organizers had to cancel Kyoto's Hanagasa Junku parade Tuesday, famous for its large, floral floats. More than 300 children and elderly people had been expected. The parade is part of the larger Gion Festival, which has already seen an estimated 55,000 fewer attendees compared with the year before, Japan Forward reported.

The Japan Meteorological Agency predicts temperatures will continue to be 95 degrees and higher into August. It advised people to drink plenty of water, avoid direct sunlight and use air conditioning.

Heat can lead to spikes in conditions such as asthma and heart failure, Myers said. He added that injuries and deaths in car accidents also increase as people face loss of concentration and lack of sleep.

Nearly half of those admitted to hospitals with heat stroke are elderly. Older populations are more vulnerable to dehydration and heat exhaustion, according to AccuWeather. </s> TOKYO - Searing hot temperatures are forecast for wide swaths of Japan and South Korea in a long-running heat wave that's killed at least two dozen people.

The mercury is expected to reach 39 degrees Celsius on Monday in the city of Nagoya in central Japan and reach 37 in Tokyo.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency says the country's highest-ever morning low was recorded in the city of Gangneung, where the temperature was 31 at 6:45 a.m. The morning low in Seoul was 29.

Hundreds of people have been rushed to Japanese hospitals with heat stroke symptoms in the more than week-long heat wave. Deaths have been reported almost every day.

Authorities in Japan warned people to stay inside and use air conditioning. </s> Officials are warning residents in Japan to take precautions during the hottest heatwave in five years. More than 10,000 people have been taken to hospital due to heat stroke-related symptoms according to The Japan Times. Tokyo fire department reported that rescue teams on June 19 responded to more than 3,000 emergency calls with 317 people taken to hospital. Students who have been taking part in activities outside have been affected by scorching temperatures, with some taken to hospital showing signs of exhaustion and heatstroke.

Flights have faced delays due to the sweltering temperatures, with a runway at Tokyo’s Haneda airport weakening and caving in under the heat. Kyoto City has had temperatures reach above 38C for seven days straight, the longest since records began in the 19th Century. Japan’s Meteorological Agency has predicted that high temperatures could last until August 2.

The temperatures are causing concern for the 2020 Olympics which are being held in Tokyo in the summer months. Whilst hot locations for the Olympics are nothing new, Japan’s combination of scorching heat and smothering humidity can be a deadly combination. How many people have died? The death toll currently stands at 30 people, with 10 deaths reported on Thursday, June 19 alone.

A six-year-old boy died on June 17 after taking part in a lesson outside. This tragedy led to the education ministry advising schools across the country to enact preventive measures. The hot weather will reportedly continue, with Accuweather predicting the death toll will continue to rise. “AccuWeather estimates the death toll from Japan heatwave is likely already in the hundreds despite the official toll of somewhat more than two dozen, and we predict the number will climb into the thousands before the heatwave ends,” AccuWeather President and Founder Dr Joel N. Myers said.

A six-year-old boy died on June 17 after taking part in a lesson outside. This tragedy led to the education ministry advising schools across the country to enact preventive measures. The hot weather will reportedly continue, with Accuweather predicting the death toll will continue to rise. “AccuWeather estimates the death toll from Japan heatwave is likely already in the hundreds despite the official toll of somewhat more than two dozen, and we predict the number will climb into the thousands before the heatwave ends,” AccuWeather President and Founder Dr Joel N. Myers said. “The actual total human toll may not ever be known as heat-related fatality reports are historically underdone since not all deaths are correctly attributed to heat and some result from accelerating serious health issues and the fatalities show up weeks later. </s> A jacket with fans, road coating that cools down the heat and factory mist sprays were all on offer at a Japanese trade fair on Thursday as the nation struggles with a record heatwave. Ed Giles reports.

AN EXTREME heatwave that has hit in Japan has led to temperatures as high as 40C, with the casualties climbing up as more deaths were reported.

The Japan Times reports that more than 10,000 people had been taken to hospital due to heat stroke related symptoms.

The death toll had climbed to 30, after 10 more deaths were reported on Thursday.

Some areas in central Japan registered record high temperatures of 40C, said the Japan Meteorological Agency.

On Friday, temperatures had reached a little above 35C, with the heatwave set to continue over the next few days.

The Tokyo Fire Department reported that, rescue teams Thursday responded to more than 3000 emergency calls as the temperatures soared to 40C and 317 people were taken to hospital.

Students involved in outdoor activities across the country were also affected by the rising temperatures and some were taken to hospital after they showed symptoms of heat stroke and exhaustion.

A six-year-old child died on Tuesday after participating in an outdoor class in school, which led the education ministry to urge educational institutions across the country to adopt preventive measures.

West Japan, still grappling with the devastating effects of torrential rains in the beginning of July, has now been hit by the high temperatures, which are hampering rescue and reconstruction efforts.

High temperatures also caused flight delays on Wednesday from Tokyo’s Haneda airport after one of the runway’s floor weakened due to heat and caved in, the Japanese transport ministry said.

The heatwave is expected to continue into next week, with AccuWeather estimating the death toll would rise.

“AccuWeather estimates the death toll from Japan heatwave is likely already in the hundreds despite the official toll of somewhat more than two dozen, and we predict the number will climb into the thousands before the heatwave ends,” AccuWeather President and Founder Dr. Joel N. Myers said.

“The actual total human toll may not ever be known as heat-related fatality reports are historically underdone since not all deaths are correctly attributed to heat and some result from accelerating serious health issues and the fatalities show up weeks later.

“The elderly and those with pre-existent conditions, such as asthma and heart failure, are likely to face declining health due to exacerbation of their conditions due to weather.

“Heat exhaustion and stroke, dehydration, migraines, loss of sleep and mood alteration can all occur due to dangerous heat.

“Historical data shows that more people are likely to be involved in vehicle crashes due to heat-related impacts, such as decreased ability to concentrate, the poor quality of sleep they get and impaired mood, etc.”

The heatwave in Japan is also reviving concerns about the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which will be held during the country’s notoriously sweltering summer.

While the Games have been held in places that are hotter or more humid than Tokyo, including Athens and Beijing, Japan’s sweaty summers offer both blistering heat and smothering humidity in a particularly unpleasant, and sometimes deadly, combination.

Olympic officials and Tokyo’s local government are touting measures from solar-blocking paint on roads to mobile misting stations to tackle the heat.

But some experts fear the efforts are insufficient, in a country where summer heat kills hundreds of people and hospitalises tens of thousands each year.
Eleven deaths and multiple hospitalizations are attributed to the ongoing heat wave in Japan.