Japanese capital sees worst June heatwave since 1875
TOKYO: Japan baked under scorching temperatures for a fourth successive day on Tuesday, as the capital’s heat broke nearly 150-year-old records for June and authorities warned power supply remained tight.
The heatwave comes less than two weeks before a national election in which prices, including the cost of electricity, are among key issues picked by voters.
Temperatures in the capital hit 35.1°C by 1pm local time on Tuesday, after three successive days of temperatures topping 35°C - the worst streak of hot weather in June since records began in 1875. And the heatwave isn’t about to break: the Japan
Meteorological Agency forecast highs of 36°C for Tokyo on Thursday and 35°C on Friday.
With heatstroke alerts issued in some areas of the country for Tuesday, cases of hospitalisation rose, with emergency services saying 76 people were taken to hospital in Tokyo.
Many in the capital and elsewhere continue to flout government advice to reduce heatstroke risks by not wearing face masks outdoors - a legacy of more than two years of mask wearing in public settings during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We’re telling people that when they’re outside, can take sufficient distance and aren’t talking, they should take off their masks,” health minister Shigeyuki Goto told a news conference.
For a second day, authorities asked consumers in the Tokyo area to conserve electricity to avoid a looming power cut - but in moderation.
“Apparently there are some elderly people who have turned off their air conditioners because we are asking people to save energy, but please - it’s this hot don’t hesitate about cooling off,” trade and industry minister Koichi Hagiuda said.
The reserve ratio for Tokyo during the evening (1630-1700) on Tuesday was expected to fall below 5% as of Monday evening, close to the minimum of 3% that ensures stable supply, in Tokyo and eight surrounding prefectures. Reserve capacity below 3% risks power shortages and blackouts.