Last Saturday, temperatures in Tokyo exceeded 95 degrees Fahrenheit for the eighth day in a row, only the second time in recorded history that this has happened. This is part of a larger trend sweeping across Japan. They are experiencing one of their worst heat waves in history.
Japan is already starting to see the effects of global warming. This year, weather officials have announced the earliest end to the annual summer rainy season since the Japan Meteorological Agency began keeping records in 1951. The lack of rain during the summer months contributes to the higher temperatures Japan is experiencing, with some cities surpassing 104 degrees.
These high temperatures are dangerous, and they can cause any number of heat-related conditions like heat stroke and exhaustion. According to Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency, over 4,500 people with symptoms matching those of heat-related conditions were taken to hospitals in ambulances during this heat wave. Many of those are more than 65 years old, as the elderly are more susceptible to these conditions. This is of special interest to Japan as they have a large aging population.
As the heat wave drags on, the Japanese government is urging residents to stay safe. Officials are asking citizens to stay indoors as much as possible, and to use umbrellas when outdoors, among other precautions. “I’d like to ask people to take their masks off when walking, jogging and cycling to work,” said Seiji Kihara, the deputy cabinet secretary, in a notice last Friday.
Amid these public health messages, the Japanese government is warning its citizens of something more urgent: electricity. Rising temperatures are putting pressure on Japan’s electricity grid, and power companies are asking customers to save electricity as much as they can. “Please save as much power as possible,” Tohoku Electric Power Company, which serves six prefectures in northern Japan, states in a message posted on their website.
In a partnership with the government, power companies are asking people to set refrigerators to higher temperatures and turn off heated toilet seats to ensure that all citizens can access air conditioning during these days. “We are struck by unusual heat for the season,” Kaname Ogawa, director of electricity supply policy at the ministry, said. “Please cooperate and save as much power as possible.”
However, despite record-breaking temperatures, the Japanese officials are optimistic that the heat wave and accompanying electricity demand will ease soon. “The heat is expected to be reduced next week, and the power demand will also be less,” the government said in a statement.
Sources:
– New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/25/world/asia/japan-heat-wave.html
– NPR: https://www.npr.org/2022/06/27/1107748722/tokyo-warned-of-power-crunch-as-japan-endures-heat-wave
Japan is already starting to see the effects of global warming. This year, weather officials have announced the earliest end to the annual summer rainy season since the Japan Meteorological Agency began keeping records in 1951. The lack of rain during the summer months contributes to the higher temperatures Japan is experiencing, with some cities surpassing 104 degrees.
These high temperatures are dangerous, and they can cause any number of heat-related conditions like heat stroke and exhaustion. According to Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency, over 4,500 people with symptoms matching those of heat-related conditions were taken to hospitals in ambulances during this heat wave. Many of those are more than 65 years old, as the elderly are more susceptible to these conditions. This is of special interest to Japan as they have a large aging population.
As the heat wave drags on, the Japanese government is urging residents to stay safe. Officials are asking citizens to stay indoors as much as possible, and to use umbrellas when outdoors, among other precautions. “I’d like to ask people to take their masks off when walking, jogging and cycling to work,” said Seiji Kihara, the deputy cabinet secretary, in a notice last Friday.
Amid these public health messages, the Japanese government is warning its citizens of something more urgent: electricity. Rising temperatures are putting pressure on Japan’s electricity grid, and power companies are asking customers to save electricity as much as they can. “Please save as much power as possible,” Tohoku Electric Power Company, which serves six prefectures in northern Japan, states in a message posted on their website.
In a partnership with the government, power companies are asking people to set refrigerators to higher temperatures and turn off heated toilet seats to ensure that all citizens can access air conditioning during these days. “We are struck by unusual heat for the season,” Kaname Ogawa, director of electricity supply policy at the ministry, said. “Please cooperate and save as much power as possible.”
However, despite record-breaking temperatures, the Japanese officials are optimistic that the heat wave and accompanying electricity demand will ease soon. “The heat is expected to be reduced next week, and the power demand will also be less,” the government said in a statement.
Sources:
– New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/25/world/asia/japan-heat-wave.html
– NPR: https://www.npr.org/2022/06/27/1107748722/tokyo-warned-of-power-crunch-as-japan-endures-heat-wave
