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The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said Wednesday that 1,132 people were taken to hospitals nationwide to be treated for heatstroke between June 2 and June 9. An unseasonable heat wave sent temperatures soaring across much of the nation in early June.
In Hokkaido, which experienced temperatures above 36 degrees in early June for the first time in 90 years, the number of heatstroke victims was 126 -- four times greater than for all of summer last year, NTV reported.
Of the total number of people taken to hospital, more than half were aged 65 and over.
© Japan Today
7 Comments
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Cricky
It's tough, getting to 65 without ever experiencing heat, now the heat is greater and life skills needed to deal with it are missing. Over heating is a very uncomfortable feeling, not to be down played at all.
Novenachama
Before going outdoors hydrate, dress cool, wear sunglasses, limit your activity, take breaks, look for air conditioning and always eat a balanced diet. Then hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
FizzBit
Amazing! Down here in Okayama, it's been the most pleasant May and June I've felt for 15 years.
Raymond Chuang
After what happened in Kochi when temperatures soared to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) plus 70-plus percent humidity last summer, I think everyone needs to be a lot more hydrated and stay out of the direct sun as much as possible. I'm surprised local community centers in Japan aren't setting up "cooling rooms" where a big room is cooled by air conditioning for the older people to stay in during daytime hours; they do this quite a lot here in the USA.
TokyoGas
I learned my lesson about not drinking enough liquids while exercising. Not a mistake I will make again.
Kittychosen
I finally left Kansai after many years of sweltering in 'hot soup'.
Back in Blighty I'm still deliberating whether to still wear my Uniqlo Heattech thermals even today. J-Hubby wears his Heattech all year round!
Don't know which is worse; I used to love riding my scooter around Osaka in short sleeves & sandals. Here, on same scooter I am rugged up & need a hot brew when I get to work!
hereforever
Sorry you all, but I just can't understand such a high rate of heatstroke here in Japan. And again I gotta say I believe most of it is due to people over using the A/C. I'm 52, don't use A/C and jog 5 to 10 km 4 to 5 times a week. Mostly during day light. So could someone please explain it to me?