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Two elderly sisters found dead in Tokyo condominium in suspected heat stroke

19 Comments

Two elderly sisters were found dead in their home in the Akabane area of Tokyo on Monday morning in what appears to be yet another fatality caused by heat stroke.

The bodies of Shizuko Ogata, 93, and her sister Miyoko, 84, were discovered by a helper who visited their home, a condominium in the capital’s Kita Ward, at around 10 a.m on July 23.

The apartment had no air conditioners or fans to cool them down despite the scorching heat in Tokyo, police said. There were no exterior bodily injuries, leading authorities to presume that the two have died as a result of a heat stroke.

Japan experienced a new national heat record on Monday when temperatures in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture near Tokyo reached 41.1 degrees Celsius. The recent heatwave has resulted in the deaths of more than 65 people and sent over 20,000 to hospitals as of July 23, according to a Kyodo News tally and local authorities.

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19 Comments
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Extremely sad to hear such things. You live through depressions and wars and the Japanese miracle and the bubble and succumb to heatstroke. I sort of hope they don't have kids/grandkids b/c I'd not be able to live with myself if my grandmother died like this.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Sadly there are probably 100s or more that have not been found yet. No AC not even a fan. That's depressingly sad.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Jeebus! Reading that almost Everyday something like this is happening is heart-breaking :(

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Incredibly sad. I don't understand why you wouldn't at least have a fan. I'm not sure a fan would suffice but at least it would be something. It's been getting hotter and hotter every year, was no one checking on these women's welfare? RIP

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Today is 2018, the invention of air conditioning, cooling fans has been around for decades except Japan.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Just a sample of the natural selection. If you lived for over 70-80, it would be a natural death no matter how you die.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

can't find any source saying there was even no fans in the room, though.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

Ashley ShibaToday 06:42 pm JST

These ladies had a helper why the hell did this person report this to the Welfare that these ladies were not adequately provided for in this horrible heat. This could NOT have been something that just surfaced if helpers were being sent regularly.

There aren't any sources saying they didn't even have cooling fans and according to some source, some care worker visited them once a week.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

When I get real old I'm going to fill my bath with cool water, dip in it or shower a few times during the day and have my fans blowing all over my house (if I didn't have air conditioning).

In fact, I kind of do this now. Every two or three hours I rinse off in the shower and I'm cool and refreshed.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Another two ! This is unacceptable !! Where is the govt when needed !!! Some heads have to roll !!!!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Akie, what does govt got to do with anything regarding this incident⁇ Govt cannot make people buy n use air conditioners, there are many elders who simply detest using air conditioners ‘cause they seem to cause them headache.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

tictactogo, govt could do a lot of things. They can use TV and radio to warn people, they can lower electricity to help people to use their devices, they can offer free drinks and water to the people. If the govt can spend $billions in "protecting people from NK threats, then they should spend the same amount to protect people from the heat.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

When I get real old I'm going to fill my bath with cool water, dip in it or shower a few times during the day

Alas, when people get really old they often can't get in or out of a tub and shower without assistance of a care giver. Typical, ceiling-mounted Japanese air conditioners are irritatingly noisy and perhaps too expensive to run for some folks. If a home is facing south as is often the case, the merciless heat will beat in at the worst time of the day.

Japan has not kept pace with modern methods of heating and cooling homes but prefers the nostalgia befitting rural areas of times past. Alas, taking out all the walls and windows isn't practical in cities. During a heat wave thermal window glazing and/or heat reflecting blinds as well as adequate insulation (not uncommon in the rest of the world) could be helpful.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Takeshi HasegawaJuly 24  08:34 pm JST - can't find any source saying there was even no fans in the room, though.

The apartment had no air conditioners or fans to cool them down despite the scorching heat in Tokyo, police said. 

Maybe try the source you're reading.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

And why don’t they have the appliances to cool down?

Maybe poverty or maybe the fact that a lot of big electronic stores are really accessible by car and not for pedestrians....

1 ( +1 / -0 )

toolonggone Today 03:22 am JST

Takeshi HasegawaJuly 24  08:34 pm JST - can't find any source saying there was even no fans in the room, though.

The apartment had no air conditioners or fans to cool them down despite the scorching heat in Tokyo, police said. 

Maybe try the source you're reading.

It seems like someone doesn't even know most of JT articles are just translated ones from Japanese reports.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Today is 2018, the invention of air conditioning, cooling fans has been around for decades except Japan.

Typical, ceiling-mounted Japanese air conditioners are irritatingly noisy...

Japan has not kept pace with modern methods of heating and cooling homes

Apparently, you two haven't been in any modern Japanese homes, condos, or businesses.

Japanese AC systems are among the best in the world. They are quiet, efficient, powerful, and are now being adopted in the US in new construction and renovations. (They have been popular in Asia and Europe for many years.) Daikin even built a huge new factory in Texas. (While US HVAC company, Carrier, moved their factory to Mexico.)

When I'm in my US home, I look forward to getting back to my Japan home's Daikin and Panasonic split systems, and my Rinnai floor heating, which are far better than the typical central HVAC or window/wall AC found in most US homes and apartments.

The one thing that is true about Japan is non-thermally-insulated windows. Single-pane with metal frames seem to be the norm. Terrible. They only seem to have discovered double-pane windows recently. That's definitely my next re-home project, along with under-floor insulation.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Takeshi HasegawaJuly 25  12:18 pm JST

toolonggone Today 03:22 am JST

Takeshi HasegawaJuly 24  08:34 pm JST - can't find any source saying there was even no fans in the room, though.

The apartment had no air conditioners or fans to cool them down despite the scorching heat in Tokyo, police said. 

Maybe try the source you're reading.

It seems like someone doesn't even know most of JT articles are just translated ones from Japanese reports.

I'm sure someone doesn't but I don't see how that's relevant to your comment.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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