On August 6, Japanese authorities reported that over 120 people in Tokyo died of heatstroke in July as the country experienced record-high temperatures. The average temperature in July was 2.16 degrees Celsius above the 30-year average, making it the hottest July since records began in 1898. Heat warnings were in effect for most of the month, with health officials and meteorologists repeatedly advising residents to stay indoors, drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, and use air conditioning.

Between July 1 and 28, over 37,000 people were treated in hospitals for heatstroke across Japan, according to the local Fire and Disaster Management Agency. The Tokyo Medical Examiner’s Office reported that many of the 123 people who died were elderly.

All but two of the victims were found dead indoors, and most were not using air conditioners, even though they had them installed, Euronews reports. This is often due to the elderly believing that air conditioning harms their health, leading them to avoid using it.

As August begins, the hot weather shows no signs of easing in Japan. On the same day that the severe impact of July's heatwave was announced, additional heatstroke warnings were issued for Tokyo and western Japan. Temperatures in central Tokyo climbed to 34 degrees Celsius, prompting many people to carry umbrellas or use hand-held fans to cope with the heat.

Kyoto resident Hidehiro Takano told euronews.com, "It feels like the hot period is getting longer every year." He added, "I keep the air conditioning on all the time, even while I'm sleeping, and I try to avoid going outside." However, the constant use of air conditioning consumes significant amounts of electricity. In Japan, where over 60% of electricity is generated from burning fossil fuels, this increases the challenge of mitigating the climate crisis.

Source: euronews.com