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230 hospitalized for heatstroke May 27-June 2

22 Comments

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said Tuesday that the number of people who were taken to hospital nationwide due to heatstroke in the period from May 27 to June 2 was 230. The number was about the same as last year, the agency said.

Of the number, 52.2% were aged 65 or older, the agency said, according to Fuji TV.

By prefecture, Hokkaido had the highest number at 21, followed by Aichi with 18 and Saitama with 17.

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22 Comments
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Let me guess... sports day practice and mid-day farming. In any case, my wager is more that it's sunstroke than heatstroke. Until today it's been a lot cooler, and far less humid (especially given this rainy season has yet to see but a single drizzle), but the sun is intense. I can show you my "farmer's tan" if you don't believe me.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

no surprises, cause aging Japan. Temp. were lower than 30C during the period mentioned.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

some14some: 52% or so were elderly, which means the rest were not. Probably more than half of the remaining 48% were out on a dirt field called a 'school yard' doing club activities or practicing for sports day. It's not "aging Japan" so much as it is a general lack of common sense. Yesterday I had the luck of getting the afternoon off so while I was heading home, on foot and myself lacking the common sense to put on sun-screen, I saw a group of elderly gentlemen, at their construction job site, in the little garage provided taking a siesta in the shade and thought how great it looked -- the siesta thing, not the old men taking a nap. Like I said, common sense.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Lots of school sports day in May, they probably contributed a bit. Aichi isn't/wasn't bad this year. It's downright refreshing compared to some of the more horrible past years.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Half of them were over 65 years old. I can't see them participating in school sports events. Can you? Gawd help them when it actually gets hot.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

230 hospitalized for heatstroke May 27-June 2 - so what? why is this in news? If somebody wants to spread awareness then there are better ways to do it.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

If somebody wants to spread awareness then there are better ways to do it

who'll do that? Even j-weather forecast reporters are elderly people, their facial expressions and voice will make "Sunny and Bright Day" sound like Cloudy and Gloomy. .

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I get that older people are more susceptible. However even in Sapporo - where the temperature purportedly reached 29 (I didn't feel it and a cold wind made the early evening nasty as hell on my Odori park beer session), there were some hospitalizations.

If these old bags hadn't lived their malnourished lives sucking on tsukemono and nibbling half a bowl of rice a day for sustenance; if they'd got off their buts and exercised half a day in their lives; if they'd gotten used to the sun on their faces instead of shielding themselves like Dracula all season, maybe they'd be better equipped to handle some pleasantly warm weather - or as they call it in Hokkaido, a 'heatwave'.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

How about a little compassion? or is that just for Buddhists? Not everyone is lucky enough to be an above-average intelligence expat.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Budgie - you are so right. It is so amazing people pretending it is too cold in a office for example at 26 degree (like in my working). Sweaters, blankets and a neck scarf even in a room! So stupid ladies.

Then when the weather gets even warmer and they are wearing winter blanket," oh help me I need a hospital"

Don't need a hospital, I think. Need only common sense. If heatstroke on only a nice warm day, you are wearing too much wool. Are you sheep, single arafo?

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

I guess we can expect 10 times this number of people will be hospitalized for heat stroke in any 7-day period in July or August.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Steve: honestly it is a bit difficult to have compassion with young people suffering of heatstroke - we are talking about hospitalization, not just a few minutes of unease - with the weather we have had in the past weeks. And especially when you look at the record from Hokkaido with what? Maximum 22C?. This as nothing to do with intelligence, but with good sense, a bit of wisdom and proper hydration.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Moral of the story: Drink water, don't over exert yourself , eat, don't be fat, and you'll be fine.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Over half of the victims were over 65. I can imagine that intense sun and a sudden rise in temp would catch some people in Hokkaido by surprise, and incidentally, being overweight and eating pickles, are not crimes against humanity. Lighten up.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

My primary school aged daughter was one of those who were hospitalised and it was due to standing on a dirt sports ground for undokai. We are from Australia and so we are very familiar with heat, but this was the first time she has had to be hospitalised for heat stroke. The heat was unbearable on the barren sports ground, no trees or grass to help shield the sun, and came at the end of 3 weeks of practising outside for the event.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I worked in the Pilbara region of Western Australia for 4 years.

The hottest day that was recorded during that time was there was 52 degrees C at the airport.

In all the time that I was there I never heard of anyone being hospitalized for heat stroke.

What is happening in Japan is mass hysteria fueled by the media.

It is a story that has snowballed (sorry about that) into a perceived reality.

My 83 year old mum lives in Queensland without an air conditioner.

I will admit that the summers knocks her around a bit.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

What is happening in Japan is mass hysteria fueled by the media.

Children and elderly collapsing probably also have something to do with it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It's not even over 30 degrees celsius! dumb!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

For those of you unfamiliar with how the body works: The body heats itself. It doesn't have to be extremely hot to get a heatstroke. There's more factors than just outside temp. It's what you're doing and how you're taking care of your body.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

At 28 degrees with a relative humidity of 85, that you you at a heat index of 40 in a zone where you should avoid exertion. At 32 and 70, you are in the danger zone at 45. if your body temperature get to 40, you are in a life threatening state. Usually your skin would be dry unless you have been exerting. Besides temperature, other signs of heat stroke are: rapid heartbeat, rapid and shallow breathing, elevated or lowered blood pressure, cessation of sweating, feeling dizzy or light headed, headache, nausea, and fainting. What to do? Move the person out of the sun and into shade or an air-conditioned space, call 119 for medical help, Cool the person with a damp sheet or spray with cool water, direct air onto the person (fan), have the person drive cool water or a non-alcoholic beverage with no caffeine.

The body will try to cool off by sweat but if the humidity is high, the sweat will not cool the body. Wear light, light colored, loose clothing, block out direct sun, drink sufficient cold water, avoid alcohol, caffeine, and heavy meals, rest regularly and use air-conditioning...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Can someone fill me in/ help me understand? I thoughtHokkaido was the coldest part of Japan?? Why does it have the most??

1 ( +1 / -0 )

garymalmgren,

You are definitely on to something. We all know that Japanese go to the clinics for any uncomfort, no matter how small. Runny nose? Clinic. Cough? Clinic. While I am sure there are some real cases of heatstroke, I seriously doubt all these reported cases are in need of hospitalization. There is a bit of hypochondria on these isles, for sure.

On top of all this, Japanese are the worst people I have ever observed at taking it easy and following their much loved seasons. When it's hot as hell - take it easy. When it's 50 degrees in the sun - don't run, don't wear you ridiculous looking black suit.

Instead, adapt. People all over the world have known this since the beginning of time.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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