2 days ago
Sapporo schools rush to install air conditioning amid dangerous temps
SAPPORO -- Efforts to equip schools in this north Japan city with air conditioning are underway amid another scorching summer, with the current installation rate at just about 10% of all schools.
Many children still lack a suitable learning environment, prompting the Sapporo Municipal Board of Education to expedite the process, aiming for all schools to have air conditioning by the summer of 2027.
On July 23, the Hokkaido capital experienced an extreme heat day, hitting a high temperature of 35.7 degrees Celsius and leading over half of the city's schools to cancel classes and send students home early. The first school term ended on July 25, and, as with last summer, an extended summer break as a heat countermeasure has started.
During the fourth period class held on July 10 at Toen Elementary School in Sapporo's Toyohira Ward, students were focused and engaged in their lessons. A thermometer at the front of the classroom displayed a comfortable room temperature of 25.2 C with 39% humidity, conditions defined as "almost safe from heatstroke."
Toen Elementary is one of the schools where permanent air conditioning units were installed in regular classrooms this summer. Until last summer, they relied on portable air conditioners without outdoor units and fans to combat the heat.
Aoi Kobayashi, 11, expressed her delight, saying, "The cool air fills the classroom, making it pleasant. It's easier to listen to the teacher now." The sixth grader noted that no longer needing to fan herself during lessons has improved her concentration.
Principal Miki Okada remarked, "In recent years, even Sapporo has experienced dangerous heat levels. Last year, there were days when the temperature inside the school building exceeded 30 C. Air conditioning is essential not only for creating a conducive learning environment but also for protecting students' lives."
Following the record high temperature of 36.3 C in Sapporo in the summer of 2023, the city began installing air conditioning in all municipal schools and kindergartens (312 facilities, approximately 6,000 rooms) starting in fiscal 2024. This summer, 39 schools (roughly 580 rooms), accounting for 12.5% of the total, had permanent air conditioners with outdoor units for the first time. The education board is expected to have 67.3% coverage by the summer of 2026, with all schools equipped by the summer of 2027.
The push for classroom air conditioning gained momentum nationwide after a first grade boy died of heatstroke in the summer of 2018 at a public elementary school in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture.
According to the education ministry, air conditioning installation rate in regular classrooms of public elementary and junior high schools nationwide was 99.1% in 2024. Although a simple comparison is not possible because the rate includes portable air conditioners, some school officials believe that "Hokkaido, which once had a cooler climate, has not yet embraced an 'air conditioning culture,' leading to delays in installation."
The Sapporo education board explains that the reason why air conditioners will not be installed in all schools until 2027 is that "it takes time and labor to do construction work to increase the amount of electricity that can be used in schools." Some schools have air conditioners installed but cannot use them yet due to insufficient power.
An education board official said, "We are unable to meet the expectations of the children and their parents, and it will take some time. We apologize for this."
As a measure against the heat, the education board is promoting initiatives along with air conditioner installation. Sapporo's elementary schools have a combined total of 50 days for summer and winter breaks. Until the 2023 academic year, each break was 25 days. However, to reduce the number of days spent in hot conditions at school, winter break was shortened and summer break was extended to 30 days starting last school year.
Additionally, when extreme heat is announced, schools make decisions on measures such as holding only morning classes or school closures. On July 23, 200 schools advanced their dismissal times.
