Overview
- Fire and Disaster Management Agency data for the week July 13–19 show 10,857 people were transported by ambulance for heatstroke, about 2.4 times the prior week’s total.
- Tokyo recorded 453 heat-related hospitalisations on July 22, the highest daily count since records began in 2010, and emergency callouts hit multi-decade highs.
- Authorities reported at least 14 heat-related deaths over the past week and the FDMA has formally described the event as a “disaster” while warning severe heat will continue.
- People aged 65 and older made up 62% of the week’s cases and many incidents happened at home with overnight temperatures above 30°C raising risk by reducing nighttime cooling.
- The Japan Meteorological Agency introduced the public-selected term kokushobi to mark days of 40°C or higher as multiple locations reported readings at or above 40°C, and officials urge staying in cool, air-conditioned spaces and drinking water.