national

820 treated with heatstroke symptoms, one dead

34 Comments

Approximately 820 people were treated at hospitals nationwide with symptoms of heatstroke amid rising temperatures on Sunday.

According to Japan’s Meteorological Agency, temperatures rose to over 35 degrees Celsius in various areas across Japan on Sunday, recording 37.5 C in Tatebayashi, Gumma, 37.3 C in Otsuki, Yamanashi and 36.8 C in Kumagaya, Saitama. Temperatures in Tokyo also soared to 35.4 degrees, the highest this year, the agency said.

Temperatures in Tokyo soared to 35.4 C, the highest this year, the agency said.

Among the patients treated with heatstroke symptoms were four farmers in Osaka, whose conditions are still critical, Sankei Shimbun reports. A woman in her 80s, who was working at a rice field in Kawachinagano, Osaka Prefecture, died on Sunday after falling unconscious due to the heat.

The Meteorological Agency says it is expected that temperatures will continue increasing, urging people, especially the elderly, to drink plenty of water and use the air conditioner.

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

34 Comments
Login to comment

In France maybe 10 years ago 14,000 died in one summer 4000 in spain ,these are the kind of figures the Japanese Government is praying for

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@Its me. Not they're not. In many cases they're held earlier. September is common.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

This reminds me of seeing many young people going man-down at the events and festivals around Tokyo last summer. A few Chu-Hi's and 35C temp. and they were done.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It"S ME: I live in and am aware of the names of Japanese public holidays.

First, October 10th is not called "sports day", it's called "Health and Sports Day". Second, national holidays are capitalised, otherwise "sports day" becomes a "field athletics day" that children have at school, hence my comment, since I need to spell it out. Third, sports events are not limited to Health and Sports Day, but happen all the time, including the aforementioned field and athletics days at school, and if I need to remind you the Olympics in Tokyo will be held in the peak of summer.

Ishiwara: "BTW, coffee is not a diuretic. That is an old myth."

Yes and no. Caffeine ingested over 500 mg is diuretic, and therefore drinking a LOT of coffee will have a diuretic effect. One or two cups won't hurt you, although the effects of ANY caffeine in the body can lead to symptoms that do not help with how your body deals with heat.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

It"S ME: "Usually sport events are held in October on sports day."

Not sure what world you are living in, but October, if they are indeed held then, is an exception. Most sports/Athletic days are held in either September or May, with some in June (moved recently from September because of the heat). That's why they waste half of their school day for two or three weeks after summer 'vacation' on rehearsing the Sports Day for the grandparents.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Usually sport events are held in October on sports day.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Every year the same story. For older people in the countryside, there is sometimes little that can be done about it I guess, but for Christ's sake, cancel sporting events!

BTW, coffee is not a diuretic. That is an old myth.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Seasonal story. like folks falling off the roof in typhoon season. amazing how folks don't learn from the mistakes of others.

The "seasonal story" is promoted for good reason, but is it surprising that it fails to reduce heatstroke to zero?

I was surprised to find that something like 50% of old person heatstroke occurs in their homes, (and even more indoors).

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@sf2k

You think my comment was a joke?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I would ask city hall how many cooling centres will they have open during acts of extreme heat alerts. Cooling centres can be just large public buildings open 24 hours during the heat alert or however long it lasts that have really great air conditioning and seating. Toronto had about 7 open to the public during a 34C heatwave recently. How many in Tokyo or in the other cities?

Do they even have alerts though? Is there ANY public health occurring??? An 80 year old farming in extreme heat isn't being informed of the risks. Take a day off. Has any event or "sports day" ever been halted because of heat?

If they think that Olympic tourists are going to love the heat in 2020 they're sadly mistaken. Putting in a cooling and public information heatstroke strategy with limits and public buildings to help can then be updated over time, and will not only benefit tourists years down the line, but benefit residents presently and far into the future.

@MokiDungway

That's a pretty classless comment. Someone died, it's not a joke to be concerned for people's health.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Gosh, if only Japanese folks susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke could access this treasure trove of cutting-edge advice available here at Japan Today! Innumerable lives could be saved for sure!

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

@Disillusioned

Excessive urination leads to dehydration, fact!

That's kind of begging the question. Do mild diuretics cause "excessive" dehydration? Is slightly higher than average urination a problem if you continue to replenish the fluids?

Anyway, I shall refrain from telling my mother-in-law to stop drinking mugi-cha. But I will follow It's Me's advice and suggest she stop topping it up with shochu.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

. I've read that mild diuretics can be beneficial when the weather is hot (heat loss through urination, fluids not sinking to the feet, something about salt control, etc.). Perhaps it's all nonsense,

There is no 'perhaps' about this statement. Excessive urination leads to dehydration, fact! If you are drinking enough non-diuretic fluids your body will naturally urinate at the normal rate. You don't need to encourage it. Am I qualified to give that advice? After growing up and working outside in North Queensland for over 30 years where the temperatures are rarely under 35' for the three months of summer I'd say I am definitely qualified. The best drink for rehydration is 100% orange juice mixed with soda water and poured over ice. The natural sugars in orange juice will stay in your body and keep you alive and the soda water gives a refreshing punch to the drink. There is no need to increase salt or electrolyte intake if you are eating normally. If however, you are stupid enough to be playing sports or running in temps above the low 30's you do need to supplement salts and electrolytes.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

In spite of rainy season in June and July, sometimes suddenly temperature increase at every place in Japan. Therefore we cannot adjust body temperature soon especially elderly. We should prepare enough water or tea when we go outside even if inside or in house to avoid heatstroke.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Avoid concentrated caffeine drinks and strong alcoholic drinks, however

Spoilsport!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Forgot to add.

Don't wipe sweat of all the time. Sweat is part of how your party cools itself, removing it forces your body to produce more from your blood, your blood supplies many needed fluids for various activities.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Is that really good advice? Are you qualified to give it? This is a genuine question. I've read that mild diuretics can be beneficial when the weather is hot (heat loss through urination, fluids not sinking to the feet, something about salt control, etc.).

Don't worry, you are safe to drink mild diuretics (although I was not aware that barley tea was a diuretic).

The H20 impact of these drinks far outweighs the fluid loss from the diuretic. It is s bit of an urban myth that you should not touch tea or code if you are dehydrated. Rather, you would be better off drinking water.

Sports drinks like Pocari Sweat help to replenish some of the salts lost through sweating so can be better than water.

Avoid concentrated caffeine drinks and strong alcoholic drinks, however

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Personally I recommend drinks that are not too cold like Jasmin tea or similar, stay away from coffee and cool drinks.

Good is a home-mix of water with a splash of lemon and a pinch of salt/ no sugar.

It takes up to 1hr for your body to absorb water rest becomes sweat.

I haven't used my aircon yet just a small fan for cooling.

Going from a cold office, train, etc to the outside will wear you down aka natsu-tsukare, try to keep the temp close to the outside one, that way your body won't waste energy to try to adjust.

You sweat more going from a hot area to a chilly one, you are fine outside but will start sweating like anything in the cooler environment.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

but they also need to encourage people to stop drinking diuretics like, green and barely tea

Is that really good advice? Are you qualified to give it? This is a genuine question. I've read that mild diuretics can be beneficial when the weather is hot (heat loss through urination, fluids not sinking to the feet, something about salt control, etc.). Perhaps it's all nonsense, but I don't want to tell my mother-in-law to cut down on the mugi-cha when at least I know she is drinking plenty of fluids. Can you provide more info?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I hope it's cooler for the 2020 Olympics.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

It was sweltering in Minato today, yet there was a group out for their lunchtime ラジオ体操 calisthenics.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

This happens every year, and it's going to be a lot worse this year as the heat will be far more intense. Also, the air itself is incredibly hot, so it feels a lot hotter than the thermometer says it is. Drink lots of water, peeps, and to the farmers: crack of dawn and quick work, and don't dress up in layers upon layers of clothes -- just light clothes that cover what you can.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

I feel most comfortable wearing thin clothes, sprayed with cold water....a damp t shirt works very well...no probs..

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Doesn't help when I see people going for their jog around mid day when it's the hottest. It's that time of the year where common sense escapes the minds during summer.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Seasonal story. like folks falling off the roof in typhoon season. amazing how folks don't learn fom the mistakes of others.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Well, they do have another option...............drink water.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Thanks for those timely tips, whooda thunk.

Just repeating what the government advises people every summer. And year-in, year-out it's the same story.

4 ( +7 / -2 )

I've been waiting for this report and was sure the numbers would be higher. However, it's on Monday and temps will remain in the low to mid 30's for most of this week and no doubt this number will at least triple. The advice to drink water is sound advice, but they also need to encourage people to stop drinking diuretics like, green and barely tea and things like pokari sweat, red bull, monster and those other so-called 'genki' drinks.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

When hot, take shade during the day and drink lots of water. Don't be afraid to use your aircon. It isn't the anti-christ. Every summer we see this kind of thing. Preventable with common sense.

Thanks for those timely tips, whooda thunk. Also: Don't work out in the rice fields when you're eighty some-odd years old...

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Holy jeebus, the weather was great until last week Thursday when the humidity suddenly set in. Blistering sun outside yet still stubborn people jogging and sending their kids to baseball training, insane.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

When hot, take shade during the day and drink lots of water. Don't be afraid to use your aircon. It isn't the anti-christ. Every summer we see this kind of thing. Preventable with common sense.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites