At least 11 more dead as heat wave continues to grip Japan

With the prolonged dry spell, baring the increased risk of Wildfires, any intense wet weather will undoubtedly cause further problems.

34'C in the shade, within an official monitoring station.

Only 34C? The reading outside my window in Tokyo was 44.6C Yesterday (7.22)

Trouble is, kinda early for typhoons. Is only July.

We need a typhoon!

Typhoons can break it. This is an entrenched pattern but when a typhoon comes in it breaks up the pattern. Afterwards, the pattern may try to re-organize but usually can't do it. Of course, I know we're supposed to say typhoons are terrible. That's PC requirement in Japan.

What are the government supposed to do? 

My municipal government, for one, could stop pruning off the branches every rainy season, and removing the broad leafs before they can provide cool shade over the streets and sidewalks. How about letting the grass grow in parks instead of killing it with poisons and then replacing it with dirt? And then planting trees on the grass, and placing benches in the shaded areas.

This is what other countries, including many Asian ones, do. But for some bizarre reason, it's a radical concept for Japan's urban planners.

 I have seen a number of old people fall down and no one helps them up (apart from me and my Japanese is bad). Always find this situation a bit strange and very sad.

Respect.

runner3, no, you are not kidding. Official date for Olympics 2020 is scheduled to take place from 24 July to 9 August 2020, in Tokyo. Sorry to you that Abe's govt has the great idea first.

I have a great idea, let's go play sports at the hottest time of day. You know right after school. And a even better idea let's hold the Olympics the last week of July and the first week of August, wouldn't that be a great idea? JUST KIDDING! Just trying make a point.

dmc27, don't blame people for the problem. The govt can and should use policy and economics as levers to change people's habits.

No, I am not blaming the people, who, after all, have no control over electricity rates. Yet, many people I've met blindly think the laws of thermodynamics behave differently in Japan. :)

100% agree with the your post re: the Abe government. It is a shame.

37°C here yesterday, and we're still 3 weeks away from the hottest to come! :(

High electricity rates + substandard building insulation = insufficient cooling, and thus increased risk of heat stroke. Some claim that they dislike AC, but this dislike seems to magically disappear when someone else is paying the AC bill. And, the same people that absolutely love using their Thermos' for keeping cold drinks cold, can't seem to understand how home insulation could help in the summer.

The big problem with this heat wave: the 70-plus percent humidity plus temperature in the mid to high 30's (Celsius). And it's not just central and southern Japan; someone I follow on Instagram is living in northern Akita Prefecture in the northern Tohoku region and are reporting daytime highs around 31 degrees C., very warm for that part of Japan.

What is Abe's govt doing ? It is really shameful that so many people died of heat.

What are the government supposed to do? I don’t think even the CCP can throw the sun in jail.

What is Abe's govt doing ? It is really shameful that so many people died of heat.

Accuweather, which gives professional international overviews, believes the Japan heat wave has already killed, not 20 or 30 as reported in newspapers, but hundreds. And that before it ends, maybe thousands. Much higher than the west Japan flood.

Why so many unreported? Apparently it's difficult to say definitively how attributable deaths are to heat waves because many long term health problems are worsened. Even traffic deaths increase because drivers' concentration and mood are affected.

This will never be reported in the news, because Japan only considers immediate and direct causes. But heat waves always involve an enormous loss of life. And this heatwave, maybe especially in Kyoto and west central Japan, is the worst ever in Japan. Worse than 1994 for extended 38-40 degree days, although deaths are probably higher in Osaka and Tokyo because of high pop.

Once again common sense doesn't prevail

Why don't they have government AC shelters for those that can't afford it.

...same reason many women in middle east wear black.

Black actually protects better against heat. That was why rockets and the shuttle were coated on the bottom with it. It also helps prevent tanning.

"Why are so many elder people dying? Doesn’t anybody care for them?"

"Why not stay at home and turn on air condition for those old? The government should advise them to do concerned so many people died due to heatwave."

Good questions.

If you live in Tokyo you will notice old people tend to get ignored. I have seen a number of old people fall down and no one helps them up (apart from me and my Japanese is bad). Always find this situation a bit strange and very sad.

Another point people don't seem to realize is a lot of poorer citizens cannot afford air con. Tenants wear the cost here and not the landlords (shame on them considering they get all that gift money every two years).

This is a heatwave for sure. I have never before heard so many people say "it's so hot". That is a good indicator that we are going through a very hot heatwave. This is serious and people need good advice about how to take care of themselves and each other around them.

If you see someone in need then help them, don't just leave them to suffer.

The government should advise them to do concered so many people died due to headwave.

If Japan covered the costs of air conditioning fees, maybe less people would scared to turn them on. I've heard it wasn't as hot back the days. People got by fine with hand fans and hosing off the concrete in front of their homes.

Why are so many elder people dying? Doesn’t anybody care for them?

Why not stay at home and turn on air condition for those old? The government should advise them to do concered so many people died due to headwave.

Among calls made to emergency services Saturday were those reporting junior high school and senior high school students falling ill while playing sport in Shizuoka and Ibaraki prefectures.

Fancy that.

A typhoon could be heading this way. Maybe their grandparents will get blown off the roof.

Im beginning to wonder (amiss all the hysteria) if the word is “summer” the place is “Japan” and whats needed is caution.

I asked an older lady why everyone wears layers of dark clothing and she told me from ancient times it was あかん to wear white. Well time for a rethink?

"...the mercury hit 34 C in central Tokyo..."

That's not called "a heatwave." That's called Japanese summer weather. The current temperatures are typical for the past 15 years or so.

I guess Japanese people are used to high temperatures that's why they fail to recognize when it's about to keep safe in this heat wave. Black umbrellas in the heat ... is unbelievable :D