Hundreds of people sought treatment for heatstroke as temperatures in Tokyo broke a nearly 150-year record in June.
Japan was baking under the scorching heat as temperatures in the country’s capital Tokyo broke a 150-year-old record for June.
A maximum temperature of 34 degrees Celcius (93 degrees Fahrenheit) was predicted in Tokyo on Tuesday, after three consecutive days of temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) – the worst heatwave of the month. 6 since the record began in 1875.
More than 250 people were taken to hospitals in Tokyo on Saturday and Sunday for treatment for heatstroke, according to the Mainichi newspaper. Another 13 people were hospitalized at 9 a.m. local time on Tuesday (00:00 GMT), Fuji News Network said.
Much of Japan would normally experience a rainy season at this time of year, but the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) on Monday announced the rainy season has ended in the Kanto region, home of Tokyo, and the region neighboring Koshin. This is the earliest season to end since records began in 1951 – 22 days earlier than usual.
The JMA also announced the end of the rainy season in central Japan’s Tokai and parts of southern Kyushu, saying this year’s rainy season in these areas and Kanto-Koshin was the shortest on record.
Amid intense heat, the Japanese government has issued a warning about electricity shortages, with authorities asking consumers in the Tokyo area on Tuesday to save electricity for a second day. But they added that residents should do what is necessary to stay cool and avoid heatstroke.
“Obviously some elderly people have turned off their air conditioners because we’re asking people to save energy, but please – it’s hot like this – don’t hesitate about cooling,” the ministry said. Industry and Trade Minister Koichi Hagiuda said at a press conference.
The heatwave came less than two weeks before a national election, in which prices, including the cost of electricity, were among the main issues chosen by voters in opinion polls showing Approval rates for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government are falling.
Kishida’s cabinet approval was 50% in a voter survey conducted by public broadcaster NHK on June 24-26, down from 55% last week.
Natsuo Yamaguchi, the head of junior partner in Kishida’s coalition government, warned Monday in a campaign speech that people risk heatstroke when trying to economic power by power.
“What I really want is for the government to ask power companies to reduce costs,” he was quoted by Kyodo news agency as saying.
“I would like to get in touch with the prime minister, who is currently visiting Europe,” he added – referring to Kishida’s attendance at the G7 summit, a significant departure from custom as it brought the prime minister to general out of the country during the election campaign. .
