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.