Japan sweats under extreme heat despite ongoing rainy season
The agency warned of heat waves throughout the week as a high-pressure system stretches across eastern and northern Japan.
By Tuesday afternoon, the city of Kofu in Yamanashi Prefecture recorded a temperature of 38.2 C, while the mercury hit 37.7 C in the city of Takasaki in Gunma Prefecture, 37.6 C in the city of Shizuoka, and 36.8 C in Hachioji in Tokyo.
'Heatstroke alerts have been issued for Ibaraki, Chiba, Wakayama, Kagoshima, and Okinawa prefectures, with extremely dangerous heat expected. Please take thorough precautions against the heat,' Kentaro Araki, a researcher at the Meteorological Agency, posted on X.
In Tokyo, it was the first time this year that the temperature rose above 35 C, which the agency designates as an 'extremely hot' day.
The heatstroke alerts urge people to stay indoors, avoid nonessential outings and remain hydrated.
Authorities called on people to turn on their air conditioners, especially for older adults and infants as they are the most vulnerable to heatstroke. They also urged schools, businesses and event organizers to take precautions or cancel outdoor activities.
Users on X agonized over the extreme heat, likening it to 'hell.'
'37°C ... I can't live (with it),' one post read.
The heat comes just a week after the start of the rainy season was announced on June 10 in the Kanto-Koshin region. The Tohoku region entered the rainy season on Saturday.
While the rainy season has yet to end in many regions, the persistent sun and stifling temperatures have made it feel as though the country is already midway through summer.
Everyone is keen to escape the heat. Products such as parasols and cooling sprays are selling briskly while energy-saving air conditioners are seeing increased demand.
At the Hands Shinjuku store, UV protection items like parasols and arm covers were promoted in March — one month earlier than last year — in anticipation of an earlier onset of extreme heat. Sales of related items from May 16 through Sunday grew about 1.4 times compared to the previous year.
At electronics retailer Bic Camera, sales of air conditioners during the week starting June 9 increased by nearly 20% from the previous week, with energy-efficient models proving particularly popular.
Information from Jiji added
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