Substitute while the actions of the article are loading
Nearly 100 people have been hospitalized amid one of the worst heatwaves Japan has experienced in recent times, with 37 million people in and around Tokyo saying they are saving electricity in response to record temperatures straining the power grid.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has announced the end of the rainy season in Tokyo and neighboring areas in eastern and central Japan, marking the earliest declaration since data was available in 1951. Heavy, high pressure has been controlling weather in Japan since the weekend and is expected to do for about another week – and maybe more.
This year’s rainy season, which usually begins in June, is three weeks shorter than the average – 21 days. Due to unusually dry conditions, temperatures rose to an average of 95 degrees. The city of Isesaki, northwest of Tokyo, recorded a record 104 degrees – the highest temperature ever recorded in June for Japan.
The last time Japan recorded persistently high temperatures in June was in 1875.
“Tokyo had high temperatures of over 35 ℃ (95F) for four consecutive days, making it the first record time for June,” meteorologist Sayaka Mori said on Twitter, adding that at least 263 heat records had been set in the heat. wave.
Japan reached 104 degrees for the first time in June amid a record heat wave
In its first power council, the Japanese government called on businesses and households to reduce energy consumption between 3pm and 6pm on some days. Tokyo government officials have been advised to work in the dark. In supermarkets across the country, lamps were turned off in freezers. Electrical appliances in household goods stores are switched off.
Japan has been battling power shortages since March, when an earthquake in the northeast shut down some of the country’s nuclear power plants. But energy demand is at its highest since 2011, when Japan was also hit by a record earthquake. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry warned that the mismatch between supply and demand was “serious”.
Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine has also led to rising energy prices, leaving world leaders in a difficult position. Japan is not the only country to record unusually high temperatures: Spain, India, Algeria, Finland, Iran and Italy have also seen scorching temperatures.
In an effort to minimize energy costs while saving energy in Japan, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced a reward system to encourage households to reduce energy consumption.
The government said last Friday that it would give 2,000 yen ($ 15) “points” to households if they participated in a national “energy-saving program,” which has sparked outrage on social media as residents become increasingly frustrated with mixed government communications. In recent days, authorities have encouraged the use of air conditioning to avoid heat stroke.
A quarter of the country’s population is elderly, at greater risk of serious health consequences due to extreme heat.
The heat wave also affects rivers and dams across the country. Sameura Dam has a water level of 34.9 percent of its capacity, less than half of its normal level at this time of year. There are fears that it will dry up in July.
Although Japan eased its mandate for outdoor pandemic masks in mid-May, many residents still choose to wear face covers outside. In response, the Ministry of Health has stepped up efforts to encourage people to take off their masks as they travel to work, walk and train – broadcast advertisements and distribute leaflets on the subject. The ministry also launched a social media campaign with the hashtag #letstakeoffyourmasks to raise public awareness about heat stroke prevention.
La Niña is probably the main influence of the constant heat. It helps shift the jet flow and high pressure typical of the Pacific Ocean to the north, leaving Japan in a region threatened by heat waves due to the expansion of heat domes.
Tsui and Livingston reported from Washington and Inuma from Tokyo.
Add Comment