Tokyo: Japan is bracing for a record-breaking summer as forecasts predict exceptionally high temperatures. The country, which is about to enter its summer season, is expected to experience soaring heat, with temperatures potentially reaching unprecedented levels.
According to Thai News Agency, Japan has been grappling with increasingly hotter summers in recent years, a trend attributed to global warming and other contributing factors. Historical data from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), which has been collecting weather data since 1872, indicates that days with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius or higher used to be a rarity. These extreme temperatures were only recorded on three separate days over a span of more than a century. However, the frequency of such days has risen significantly, with 2018, 2024, and 2025 experiencing multiple days of extreme heat.
These soaring temperatures pose serious health risks. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency of Japan reported that over 100,000 people were hospitalized with heatstroke between May and September last year, marking a record high.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a three-month forecast predicting above-average temperatures from June to August. Experts from the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology have identified a high-pressure system in the Pacific Ocean and the anticipated El Ni±o phenomenon as key factors likely to drive temperatures higher than normal. Additionally, rising sea surface temperatures in the western Indian Ocean are expected to contribute to the extreme heat, mirroring conditions seen during the summer of 2023.
To help the public prepare, Japan's NHK television station has recommended measures such as staying hydrated, using air conditioning, and avoiding alcohol and direct sunlight. It also cautioned that sunlight entering through windows can pose a health risk, even indoors. The Ministry of Environment's website offers guidance on protecting against extreme heat, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has developed an online heat index map to aid residents and tourists in assessing heat risks and preventing heatstroke.