Japan struggles to cope with heatwave, with 26 dead of heatstroke

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Pastor Dale Morgan

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Jul 18, 2011, 3:55:23 PM7/18/11
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Perilous Times and Climate Change

Japan struggles to cope with heatwave, with 26 dead of heatstroke


Twenty-six Japanese died of heatstroke in the first 10 days of June while nearly 13,000 have been admitted to hospitals as temperatures soar but the public refuses to turn on their air conditioning units.

By Julian Ryall in Tokyo

3:48PM BST 18 Jul 2011

Deaths attributed to heatstroke between June 1 and 10 were four times the figure for the same period last year, when Japan suffered a record heatwave and 54,000 people were treated in hospitals.

The situation has been made worse this year due to the loss of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, damaged in the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. In all, 35 of Japan's 54 nuclear plants have been shut down for safety checks.

Faced with the possibility of power blackouts if demand surges when people turn their air conditioning units, the Japanese public is practicing restraint and reverting to hand fans to keep cool.

Temperatures in the last 10 days of June in eastern Japan were more than 6F higher than the 30-year average and the highest since 1961, according to the Meteorological Agency.

On Saturday, the temperature rose to 101F in Gunma Prefecture, while at least three other cities surpassed 100F.

According to emergency authorities, 48 percent of those who have required medical treatment are pensioners, who are considered the most at risk because of their age and determination to help the nation by enduring the heat without air conditioning.

In some areas, people and companies are being asked to cut their energy use, with families being encouraged to stay in one room to limit the number of air conditioners being used.

But the government and health authorities are pleading with the public not to go too far in their efforts to conserve electricity.

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