- Shizuoka City registers 38.5°C, the highest September temperature since 1940.
- 23 prefectures in Japan issued heat stroke alerts due to rising temperatures.
- Authorities urge residents to stay indoors, use air conditioning, and hydrate.
Central Japan has set a new record for September heat, with temperatures soaring to 38.5°C in Shizuoka City.
As the heatwave intensifies, authorities have issued heat stroke warnings for 23 prefectures, spanning from the Kanto region to Kyushu.
Unprecedented Heatwave Shatters September Temperature Records in Japan
Japan is facing an extraordinary heatwave, with record-high temperatures being recorded in multiple cities. Shizuoka City reached 38.5°C, the highest temperature for September since records began in 1940. The Sea of Japan coast saw similar extremes, with Tottori City hitting 37.6°C and Toyooka City registering 36.8°C. Such intense heat so late in the year is highly unusual for the region.
The Japan Meteorological Agency attributes this unusual weather to persistent high-pressure systems that are trapping heat over wide areas. In cities such as Nagoya, Kyoto, and Hita, daytime highs are forecast to exceed 37°C, while Central Tokyo and Osaka will also see the mercury rise above 35°C. The current heatwave is affecting regions from eastern to western Japan, making it one of the most severe September heat events in recent history.
The Environment Ministry has responded by issuing heat stroke warnings for 23 prefectures. These warnings extend across areas from the Kanto region, which includes Tokyo, to Kyushu in southwestern Japan. Residents have been urged to stay cool and hydrated, with particular attention to elderly and vulnerable populations who are at greater risk from heat stroke.
Such extreme heat during September is a growing concern as climate change contributes to more frequent and intense heatwaves globally. Japan is no exception, and these new temperature records are a stark reminder of the need for continued attention to public health and environmental impacts in a warming world.
This extreme September heatwave underscores the ongoing challenges posed by climate change, making it critical for communities to stay vigilant and for governments to prioritize climate action to mitigate future risks.
“The heatwave gripping central Japan is an alarming sign of how climate change is intensifying the unpredictability of our weather patterns.”
