In Japan, Tokyo faces one of its worst heat waves in history. As extreme temperatures exceed 95 degrees Fahrenheit eight days straight for the first time since 1815, the citizens of Japan face power surges and intense heat strokes while death tolls continue to rise.
When heat wave record-keeping was established in the 19th century, there had only been one other instance like last Saturday in Tokyo before then. Government authorities have urged people to turn on their air-conditioning, stay indoors as much as possible, and stop wearing face masks, which most of the population has ritually done throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
At least 4500 people with heat stroke and exhaustion symptoms have been treated at hospitals in the last week. The majority of heat stroke patients are from Japan’s disproportionate senior population, who are especially vulnerable to the high temperature.
Although Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the Japanese government have repeatedly persuaded people to keep their air-conditioning on throughout the hot weather, power shortages limit the extent of Japan’s energy usage. As the governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike, suggests, many households are now completely turning off their lights and heated toilet seats to preserve energy. “Most of the lights in my office are off. It’s dark,” she says. “Under these circumstances, you can completely turn it off.”
Amidst the relentless temperature, some people have found ways to cope. Politician Yoko Koguchi uses her daughter’s newfound spare time to spend some quality time with each other at the bookstore. With a parasol, of course.
Hopefully, as the heat slowly clears up next week, Japan’s daily life and power demand will lessen. However, according to Kentaro Araki, a researcher at the Japan Meteorological Agency, the danger has not yet passed. “No matter how tough a person you are, you could lose your life,” he states. “Please take every possible measure to protect your life.
Link https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/25/world/asia/japan-heat-wave.html
When heat wave record-keeping was established in the 19th century, there had only been one other instance like last Saturday in Tokyo before then. Government authorities have urged people to turn on their air-conditioning, stay indoors as much as possible, and stop wearing face masks, which most of the population has ritually done throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
At least 4500 people with heat stroke and exhaustion symptoms have been treated at hospitals in the last week. The majority of heat stroke patients are from Japan’s disproportionate senior population, who are especially vulnerable to the high temperature.
Although Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the Japanese government have repeatedly persuaded people to keep their air-conditioning on throughout the hot weather, power shortages limit the extent of Japan’s energy usage. As the governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike, suggests, many households are now completely turning off their lights and heated toilet seats to preserve energy. “Most of the lights in my office are off. It’s dark,” she says. “Under these circumstances, you can completely turn it off.”
Amidst the relentless temperature, some people have found ways to cope. Politician Yoko Koguchi uses her daughter’s newfound spare time to spend some quality time with each other at the bookstore. With a parasol, of course.
Hopefully, as the heat slowly clears up next week, Japan’s daily life and power demand will lessen. However, according to Kentaro Araki, a researcher at the Japan Meteorological Agency, the danger has not yet passed. “No matter how tough a person you are, you could lose your life,” he states. “Please take every possible measure to protect your life.
Link https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/25/world/asia/japan-heat-wave.html
