TOKYO: In recent times, Japan has witnessed an unusual and extended summer, defying the customary transition to autumn. The arrival of autumnal delights like matsutake mushrooms, persimmons, and seasonal beverages on supermarket shelves usually marks the change of seasons in Japan. Additionally, Tokyo residents typically partake in vibrant festivals, parading portable shrines through the streets, while schoolchildren prepare for their annual sports days. However, this year, autumn seems elusive, prompting experts to label the weather as “abnormal.”
Japan endured a scorching summer, setting records for high temperatures. Public broadcaster NHK reported daytime highs exceeding 38C on some days and “disaster-level” heat of 40C in early August in two cities. Meteorological data collection since 1898 revealed that this summer was the hottest on record based on measurements at 15 locations across the country from June through August.
Tokyo faced an unprecedented 22 days with temperatures exceeding 35C, surpassing the previous record of 16 days set the previous year. Even Sapporo, known for its snowy winters and host to a February snow festival, experienced an unusual heatwave, with three consecutive days exceeding 35C in late August. The heat disrupted normalcy, prompting Hokkaido Railway Company to cancel trains due to concerns about track warping and necessitating remote study arrangements for students.
Kyoto, famed for its humid summers and chilly winters, endured an exceptional 37 days of extreme heat. Although conditions have slightly eased since the start of September, the high temperatures persist. A marathon in Morioka was halted midway due to numerous runners retiring due to the heat, tragically resulting in one fatality.
Across Japan, records for extremely hot days have been broken, leaving the nation questioning when relief from this persistent heatwave will arrive. Unfortunately, the answer may disappoint, as the meteorological agency predicts that the combined effects of El Niño and global heating will prolong the unusually hot weather through the end of September and into October. Director Takafumi Umeda urged caution, warning that temperatures around 30C may persist in October, emphasizing the need to be wary of heat-related illnesses.
As Japan grapples with this ongoing heatwave, the agency’s forecast of a mild winter with reduced snowfall compared to usual spells potential dismay for businesses in ski resorts that typically attract skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. Amidst the scorching temperatures, one bright spot remains in Katsuura, where the coastal town has managed to avoid extremely hot days for an impressive 118th year in a row.
Ultimately, this prolonged and record-breaking heatwave in Japan underscores the escalating impact of human-induced climate change, fueling extreme weather events worldwide, ranging from heatwaves and floods to wildfires. The urgency to address climate breakdown has never been more critical, as it continues to shape and challenge our world in unprecedented ways.
