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Malay Mail
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Malay Mail
‘Once-in-a-decade' heatwave grips Japan, alerts issued after Tokyo breaches safe limits
TOKYO, July 6 — Japan is sweltering under an intense heatwave, with temperatures hitting the high 30s across much of the country today, prompting authorities to issue heatstroke alerts in 19 prefectures — including the first warnings this year for central Tokyo and neighbouring Kanagawa. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the current heatwave is expected to persist until mid-July, marking a rare occurrence 'seen only once in a decade.' The agency attributes the extreme weather to climate change and a stronger-than-usual Pacific high-pressure system that has brought an unusually early end to the rainy season in western Japan. The Japan Times reported today that temperatures climbed to 38.3C in Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, 37.9C in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, and 37.7C in several cities including Tajimi in Gifu, Hamamatsu in Shizuoka, and Kofu in Yamanashi. The Japan Sport Association advises cancelling outdoor sporting events if the heat index — which factors in temperature, humidity and solar radiation — exceeds 31. In Tokyo, the index reached 32.2C by 11am, prompting the Japan Association of Athletics Federations to reschedule events during its three-day national championships at the Japan National Stadium in Shinjuku. Today's adjustments followed similar delays on Friday and Saturday. The early heat has been exacerbated by the premature conclusion of the rainy season in regions such as Chugoku, Shikoku, Kinki, and northern Kyushu, where the season ended nearly 20 days ahead of schedule — the earliest on record. June was Japan's hottest ever, with average temperatures 2.34C above the historical norm, the Meteorological Agency said. The trend is in line with rising global temperatures, as the agency warned that climate patterns are shifting due to global warming and changing wind systems. Authorities are urging residents to take precautions against heatstroke, including staying hydrated, avoiding outdoor activity during peak hours, and seeking cooler indoor environments.
Japan Times
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Japan Times
Heatstroke alert issued for 19 prefectures as Japan enters 'once-in-a-decade' heat wave
The mercury is expected to hit dangerously high levels in Japan on Sunday, with weather authorities issuing heatstroke alerts in 19 prefectures nationwide, including this year's first for central Tokyo and Kanagawa. With climate change driving up temperatures across the globe, Japan will experience a heat wave between Sunday and July 14 on a 'level only seen once in a decade,' the Meteorological Agency said last week. The highest temperatures are expected to reach the mid to high 30s in wide areas of the country, including 37 degrees Celsius in Nagoya, 36 C in Fukuoka, Osaka and Kochi and 35 C in Hiroshima and Tokyo, according to Weathernews. The Japan Association of Athletics Federations, which is holding its three-day national championship in Kunitachi, western Tokyo, shifted schedules for events on Sunday after doing the same on Friday and Saturday. It has delayed some events scheduled during the day to the evening hours. The Japan Sport Association advises all sports events to be canceled when the heat index — which takes temperatures, humidity and solar radiation into consideration — reaches 31. Tokyo is forecast to see its heat index rise to 32 at 3 p.m. on Sunday. The summer heat has arrived ahead of schedule this year due to an early end of the rainy season in many parts of the country, particularly in western Japan. In the Chugoku, Shikoku and Kinki regions, as well as northern Kyushu, the rainy season was declared over in late June, which was nearly 20 days earlier than usual and the earliest on record, according to agency data. Global warming has pushed up atmospheric air temperatures across the globe, the agency says, noting that the Pacific high-pressure system extending more strongly toward Japan and prevailing westerly winds meandering further north have contributed to the early end of the rainy season, which normally lasts through mid-July. Japan experienced its hottest June ever, with the average monthly temperature being 2.34 C higher than the standard value, according to the agency.
Yomiuri Shimbun
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan Games Organizers Propose Major Reforms;Demography, Infrastructure Challenge Sports Festival
Yomiuri Shimbun file photo The Japan Sport Association's expert panel, which compiled reform proposals for the Japan Games, meets on March 10. The Japan Sport Association (JSPO) convened an expert panel to discuss the future of the Japan Games, the country's largest sports event, and to compile a set of proposals aimed at ensuring its long-term sustainability. These proposals advocate structural reforms to enhance the event's national profile and prioritize the revitalization of host cities, with a newly formed organization overseen by the JSPO at the heart of these efforts. A key feature of the proposals is the strong recommendation that the JSPO recognize the discretion of local governments. The proposals seek to enable flexible operations and cost reductions tailored to the circumstances of host cities, with options including: (1) relaxing standards for sports facilities to reduce construction costs, (2) spreading out the timing of events by sport to make it easier for top athletes to participate, (3) allowing multiple prefectures to host events (with some sports considering permanent venues), (4) simplifying opening and closing ceremonies, including the possibility of using indoor venues, and (5) reviewing the number of participants and events in consideration of the host municipalities' preferences. All of these measures aim to reduce the burden on host municipalities. The proposals also urge the establishment of a new organization to oversee the operation of the Games, with the aim of passing on operational expertise. The Japan Games began in 1946 as a prefectural team event and have grown into a large-scale annual event, with approximately 27,000 participants competing in 40 sports during the autumn and winter events. The autumn main event rotates among prefectures, with the 2034 Okinawa event to mark the end of the second cycle. The Japan Games, which began immediately after the war, have improved athletic ability and sports facilities in each region. They have also developed social infrastructure and revitalized local economies by spurring infrastructure development. However, from the start of the second cycle, the large sports facilities needed to meet the capacity requirements for each event began to face issues such as the need for renovation due to ageing or even the necessity of new construction. Following the collapse of the bubble economy in the 1990s, host cities began to voice concerns about the financial and operational burdens associated with hosting the event. In response to calls for reform from the National Governors' Association (NGA), the JSPO formulated a reform plan in 2003 centered on simplifying operations. In 2006, the summer and autumn games were merged into a single event, and in 2008, the number of participants was reduced by 15%. Nevertheless, even after these reforms, the burden of hosting the Japan Games remained too great for some local governments. The NGA became increasingly frustrated with this situation. In April 2024, the association's chairman, Miyagi Gov. Yoshihiro Murai, stated regarding the Japan Games: 'Abolition is one option. We need to pause and consider whether the current approach is appropriate. Should we stop having all prefectures take turns to host all events in one location once a year?' In response to this harsh critique, which went so far as to mention abolishing the Games or reviewing their annual schedule, the JSPO set up an expert panel to consider the future of the Games. From September last year, members selected from among local government officials, sports governing bodies, athletes, media representatives and the business community held three meetings and compiled the latest proposals. Among the proposals' key points is the decentralization of the event schedule. Currently, the winter games are held within a five-day period from December to the end of February, and the main games are held within an 11-day period from mid-September to mid-October, as stipulated in the hosting criteria guidelines. The reason for concentrating the Games within a certain period was to generate interest in the host city and create a festive atmosphere. However, problems arose, such as top athletes prioritizing other competitions held at the same time, and the concentration of events placing significant strain on accommodation and transport. Decentralizing the event schedule (year-round hosting) would make it easier for top athletes to participate and even out demand for accommodation and transportation. As a result, greater attendance and economic benefits are expected. Additionally, multiple sports events could be held at the same facility at different times, which would help avoid the need for new construction. Regarding the host locations, bold proposals were made. Where hosting in a single prefecture is difficult, suggested solutions included hosting in multiple prefectures to reduce the burden on individual host locations or fixing the host location for certain sports. A fixed venue could become 'sanctified,' as Koshien Stadium is for high school baseball, which is expected to enhance the event's appeal to spectators. In response to these proposals, Murai issued a statement saying: 'The proposals take into account the opinions of the National Governors' Association and are commendable. We sincerely hope that discussions and deliberations with the NGA will continue in good faith.' Nagano Gov. Shuichi Abe, who attended the meeting of experts on behalf of the NGA, stated, 'We appreciate that our concerns were discussed with many people.' Regarding the JSPO's contribution to operational costs, he added: 'No specific direction has been indicated. We will continue to discuss this with great interest in the future.' He expressed optimism about the development of the discussions. The philosophy of the Japan Games is set forth in a document titled 'A virtuous cycle between top athletes and local sports: Creating a future for people and communities.' Part of the text says: 'The Games are a national festival in which everyone involved in sports, whether participating, watching or supporting, plays a leading role, contributing to the development of people and communities in Japan and helping to solve social issues.' In the past, the Japan Games contributed to infrastructure development across the country. However, declining birth rates, an ageing population and strained local finances mean it is now more important than ever that the Japan Games continue its efforts to develop human resources, contribute to local communities and implement structural reforms that address social issues through sport. The JSPO, which is now beginning to implement its reform plans, has a heavy responsibility. Political Pulse appears every Saturday. Yuji Kondo Yuji Kondo is a senior writer in the Sports Department of The Yomiuri Shimbun.
