Japan Faces Record Heat and Climate Change Impacts

In the Kabukicho entertainment area of Shinjuku, central Tokyo, Japan, pedestrians used umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun as they crossed a street on July 29, 2025.

The Japan Meteorological Agency announced that the average temperature in July had risen by a record 2.89 degrees Celsius compared to the average for the month between 1991 and 2020. This marked the third consecutive year of record-breaking average temperatures for July.

Scientists attribute the increasing intensity and frequency of heatwaves worldwide to human-caused climate change, and Japan is experiencing these effects. On July 30th, Japan recorded its highest temperature ever, reaching a scorching 41.2 degrees Celsius in the western region of Hyogo. The weather agency anticipates continued severe heat across the country in the coming month.

Furthermore, July saw low precipitation across much of Japan, with northern regions bordering the Sea of Japan experiencing record-low rainfall. The rainy season concluded approximately three weeks earlier than usual in western regions, setting another record.

Experts are concerned about the impact of the warmer climate on Japan's natural environment. They warn that the country's iconic cherry trees are blooming earlier than usual, or sometimes not fully blossoming because autumns and winters are not cold enough to trigger flowering. The snowcap on Mount Fuji also remained absent for the longest recorded period last year, not appearing until early November, significantly later than the typical early October appearance.