Japan experienced the hottest average temperatures ever recorded in the archipelago between June and August since comparable statistics were introduced in 1898, the country’s weather agency announced on Friday.
During this period, “average summer temperatures in Japan were significantly higher in the north, east and west of the country,” said the JMA agency.
“The average temperature anomaly in Japan, based on observations at 15 different locations, was +1.76 °C, significantly exceeding that of 2010 (+1.08 °C), which was the highest on record since records began in The year was 1898,” the agency added in a statement.
In many parts of the country, not only the maximum but also the minimum temperatures reached record highs, such as in the city of Itoigawa (centre), where the minimum temperature reached 31.4°C on August 10, a nationwide high, according to the JMA.
“Compared to years with particularly high average summer temperatures (2010, 2013, 2018 and 2022), the number of extremely hot days increased significantly from the end of July and reached the highest value since 2010,” the press release reads.
Japan had already recorded the highest average temperatures ever recorded in July. More than 35,700 people were hospitalized nationwide in July and 39 died of heat stroke, according to Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
World records in the heat
Japanese authorities have issued frequent warnings about the risk of heat stroke this summer, recommending that the population, especially senior citizens, not go outside during the day or use air conditioning.
After Monaco, Japan has the oldest population in the world: 30% of the population is 65 years and older. And over the past five years, more than 80% of deaths in the country from heat stroke have been among older people.
Record temperatures have been observed in many other countries this summer, and according to the European Copernicus service, July was the hottest on record on Earth.
France also experienced an exceptional heatwave in the second half of August, breaking dozens of temperature records and reaching several consecutive days above 40°C, an unprecedented situation so late in the summer attributed to global warming.
Milan in northern Italy recorded its hottest day in 260 years last week, with an average temperature of 33°C.
Greenhouse gas emissions are contributing to longer and more intense heat waves, particularly in Europe, which is the fastest-warming continent, according to the World Meteorological Organization.