(THE WATCHERS) Record-breaking June temperatures are engulfing Japan, prompting authorities to issue heatstroke advisories and warn of power outages. Unusually high temperatures for the time of the year are expected to last at least until early July.
Capital Tokyo registered 35.7 °C (96 °F) on June 27, 2022, making it its daily record high. The city has also had temperatures above 35 °C (95 °F) for three days in a row, making it the first time for June since records started in 1875, meteorologist Sayaka Mori said.
Numerous temperatures were also broken in Japan on June 25. Three observation spots had all-time record highs, while 61 spots had June records or record-ties.
The temperatures in Isesaki rose to 40.2 °C (104.3 °F), making it the national high for the month of June. The previous record was 39.8 °C (103.6 °F) set on June 24, 2011.
On the same day, Tokyo registered 35.4 °C (96 °F), making it the earliest 35 °C (95 °F) day since records began in 1875.
On June 24, the city of Tokamachi, located in one of Japan’s snowiest regions, recorded 37.1 °C (99 °F), making it the highest temperature ever recorded there.
In Nobeoka, the temperature on June 23 rose to 36.1 °C (97 °F), making it its highest June temperature since records started in 1961.
Japan’s all-time high temperature record is 41.1 °C (106 °F), set in Kimagaya on July 23, 2018.
RECORD BREAKING
Isesaki, 80 km north of Tokyo, recorded 40.1℃ (104F) on Saturday afternoon, making it the NATIONAL RECORD HIGH for the month of June! (all-time Japan record is 41.1℃)
It’s also the first 40 degree mark on record for June. pic.twitter.com/N4D07pgs71
— Sayaka Mori (@sayakasofiamori) June 25, 2022
Authorities are urging residents to hydrate frequently even if they don’t feel they’re thirsty and use other measures to prevent heatstrokes.1
On Sunday, June 26, the Japanese government issued a power usage warning in an effort to prevent pressure on the system as businesses reopen on Monday.2
This is the first time such warning has been issued in Japan. The warning system was introduced this year following a review into the response to high demand in March 2022, when a powerful earthquake in the country’s northeast region caused some power plants to halt.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is particularly urging the public in Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s service area to save electricity via measures including turning off unnecessary lights in the demand-intensive 15:00 to 18:00 LT period on Monday.
