The Japan Meteorological Agency has declared that July was the hottest month in recorded history in Japan, with temperatures 2.16 degrees Celsius above average. This surpasses the previous record set last year with temperatures 1.91 degrees above average. The agency blames a high-pressure system over the Pacific and warm air from the south for the extreme heat. Sixty-two observation posts in the country, including Tokyo and Nagoya, set new temperature records. With temperatures rising above 40 degrees Celsius in some areas, the agency warns that Japan could see new heat records in the future due to climate change.
The agency also warned of continued high temperatures in August and advised the public to stay hydrated to avoid heat stroke. So far, at least 59 people in Japan have died from heatstroke since April. The European Union’s climate monitor reported that the planet recently experienced its warmest day in modern history. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called on countries to take action to address extreme heat, which is impacting economies, widening inequalities, and threatening the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. The declaration of the hottest July in Japan’s history serves as a stark reminder of the urgency to address climate change and its impact on extreme weather events.
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