Japan and the World Grapple with Record Heat and Climate Change Impacts

Global temperatures have been rising in recent years, leading to increasingly erratic weather patterns. Japan is experiencing these effects as well.

The city of Isesaki recently saw temperatures surpass the previous record set in the western Hyogo region. This summer, over 53,000 people have been hospitalized for heat stroke.

Average temperatures across Japan continue to climb, with July marking a record high for the third consecutive year. The northeastern region along the Sea of Japan is facing critically low rainfall, raising concerns about the rice harvest. High temperatures have also led to an increase in stink bugs in some rice-growing areas.

Last year, Japan's summer was the joint hottest on record, followed by the warmest autumn since records began. In Kyoto, temperatures reached 40C, a first for its observation points. Experts warn that warmer temperatures are affecting Japan's cherry trees, causing them to bloom earlier or not fully blossom. The snowcap of Mount Fuji was also absent for an extended period last year.

July was the hottest since records began in 1898, with the average monthly temperature significantly above the average. South Korea also experienced its second-hottest July.

Water shortages are affecting some dams and paddies in Japan, with farmers reporting that the heat and lack of rain are slowing rice cultivation. Precipitation in July was low across wide areas of Japan, with record low rainfall in northern regions. The rainy season ended earlier than usual in western regions.

Japanese officials regularly advise the public to seek shelter in air-conditioned spaces to avoid heatstroke, particularly the elderly population.

Western Europe also experienced its hottest June on record, with extreme temperatures impacting the region. Research suggests that climate change made the temperatures significantly hotter, increasing the death toll and exposing millions to high heat stress.