In Japan’s capital city, Tokyo, temperatures are extremely high, exceeding 95 degrees for the 8th day in a row. The sweltering heat causes people to keep their AC on at high levels, raising concerns about potential power shortages. This problem is not just occurring in Tokyo, cities all across Japan like Isesaki, have had temperatures passing 104 degrees since Friday.
This heat has caused a number of complications and even death. Over 4,500 people with symptoms such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion have been admitted to the hospital. Most of these patients were senior citizens, over the age of 65. This makes them particularly vulnerable to the heat. The heat was so unbearable that the authorities had to issue daily heart alerts every week. They also encouraged people to stay indoors, not wear facemasks, and use umbrellas.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, residents of Japan wore facemasks almost daily, but wearing one in extreme heat can cause complications and health issues.
“I’d like to ask people to take their masks off when walking, jogging, and cycling to work,” Seiji Kihara, the deputy cabinet secretary, said on Friday.
With all the citizens keeping their AC on and using power daily, power companies have warned that it could cause potential power shortages. “Please save as much power as possible,” the Tohoku Electric Power Company said.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as well as other officials have urged people to still keep the AC on for their own safety but to cut out power in other areas like turning off the heated toilet seats and raising the refrigerator temperature higher.
Thankfully, the heatwave is predicted to soon pass, and people will no longer have to worry about power as many people are cutting back on the AC due to the power shortage. Officials urge them not to do that.
“You can’t manage the heat just with your endurance. No matter how tough a person you are, you could lose your life,” said Kentaro Araki, a researcher at the Japan Meteorological Agency. “Please take every possible measure to protect your life.”
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/25/world/asia/japan-heat-wave.html
This heat has caused a number of complications and even death. Over 4,500 people with symptoms such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion have been admitted to the hospital. Most of these patients were senior citizens, over the age of 65. This makes them particularly vulnerable to the heat. The heat was so unbearable that the authorities had to issue daily heart alerts every week. They also encouraged people to stay indoors, not wear facemasks, and use umbrellas.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, residents of Japan wore facemasks almost daily, but wearing one in extreme heat can cause complications and health issues.
“I’d like to ask people to take their masks off when walking, jogging, and cycling to work,” Seiji Kihara, the deputy cabinet secretary, said on Friday.
With all the citizens keeping their AC on and using power daily, power companies have warned that it could cause potential power shortages. “Please save as much power as possible,” the Tohoku Electric Power Company said.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as well as other officials have urged people to still keep the AC on for their own safety but to cut out power in other areas like turning off the heated toilet seats and raising the refrigerator temperature higher.
Thankfully, the heatwave is predicted to soon pass, and people will no longer have to worry about power as many people are cutting back on the AC due to the power shortage. Officials urge them not to do that.
“You can’t manage the heat just with your endurance. No matter how tough a person you are, you could lose your life,” said Kentaro Araki, a researcher at the Japan Meteorological Agency. “Please take every possible measure to protect your life.”
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/25/world/asia/japan-heat-wave.html
