Japan's Heatwave Continues: "The Shock of +2.89°C" - Following the "Hottest July in History" that Scorched the Japanese Archipelago

1. What the "Unprecedented" Data of July Revealed

The monthly report released by the Japan Meteorological Agency on August 2 conveys the intense heat of midsummer through numbers alone. The national average temperature exceeded the 1991-2020 average by 2.89°C, marking the highest since statistics began in 1898. This unusual situation marks the third consecutive year of record-breaking "hottest on record," following 2023 (+1.91°C) and 2024 (+2.16°C).

2. The Peak of 41.2°C—A New Domestic Record in Tamba

On July 30, a temperature of 41.2°C was recorded in Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture, matching the existing record highs in Kumagaya and Shizuoka. The Japan Meteorological Agency analyzed that "the expansion of the North Pacific High and global warming overlapped," and the early end of the rainy season deprived the heat of an escape route.

3. Water Shortage Risk Brought by the Rainy Season Ending Three Weeks Early

In western Japan, the rainy season ended about 20 days earlier than usual, with precipitation reduced by 30-60%. At the Sameura Dam in Kochi Prefecture, the water storage rate temporarily dropped to 27%, and municipalities considered nighttime water restrictions. Unable to secure agricultural water, rice farmers in Shikoku lament, "Some fields will have to be abandoned this year."

4. 10,800 Heatstroke Cases—Medical Facilities as "Midsummer Battlefields"

According to a preliminary report from the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, there were 10,800 heatstroke cases in July (a 32% increase from the same month last year). In Tokyo, ambulance requests surged to 1.6 times the usual number, with crew members stating, "We are fully deployed every day, and there aren't enough personnel." Sixteen people died nationwide, with more than half being elderly individuals not using air conditioning.The Guardian

5. SNS Reflects the "Reality of Perception"

• "It's unbearably hot! (SkyInJapan)"

• "This being the coolest summer is a joke, right? (xyLteK)"

• "It feels like a lie that we used to survive with just a fan (Staff_Senyou)"

• "My dog can't walk because of the heat reflecting off the road (My-goats)"
  Such posts have been appearing on Reddit's /r/japan and X (formerly Twitter), even being described as "🔥Heat Apocalypse." A Reddit thread received over 300 comments in just one day, and "#DangerousHeat" temporarily trended as the top hashtag on X.Reddit

Meanwhile, an article on ITmedia Netorabo featuring a "photo of a clock with sevens" garnered 26.7 million page views, with the comment section turning into a comedic exchange about "even thermometers reading the room." This irony reflects how the extreme heat has become a topic of humor in everyday life.Netorabo

6. The Limits Approaching Cities and Infrastructure

The heat island intensity in Tokyo's 23 wards increased by +1.4°C compared to the average. Railway companies are spraying water to prevent track warping, and JR Central has added heat-resistant coatings to Shinkansen viaducts. However, in urban areas with little shade, experts warn that "radiant heat from asphalt is directly hitting pedestrians."

The Architectural Institute of Japan revised guidelines for air conditioning in public facilities, explicitly stating "gymnasium use is prohibited when the outside temperature exceeds 35°C." There is a growing movement, especially in elementary schools, to extend summer vacations and lay heat-shielding sheets on playgrounds.

7. Impact on Energy and Household Budgets

The electricity supply-demand alert was issued five times in July. Tokyo Electric Power Company anticipated peak usage approaching 90 million kW and issued the first "Level 1 Power Supply-Demand Tightening" in two years on July 25. The average household electricity bill increased by 17% compared to the same month last year. There is a growing call within the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to increase subsidies for energy-saving products.

8. Climate Change and Policy Challenges

Behind the average +2.89°C are the long-term increase in greenhouse gases and the aftereffects of the 2023/24 El Niño. The UN IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report predicts "extreme high temperatures will increase 1.7 times over the next decade." An expert panel from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism recommended "increasing urban greenery by 10% by 2030 and expanding rooftop greening subsidies."

9. Exploring the "Next Steps" for Society

— Heat-Reflective Pavement and White Roofs: Adopted on a 12 km stretch of metropolitan road in Shinjuku Ward. Reduces surface temperature by up to 13°C.
— Community Cooling Centers: Osaka City opens the lobby of a building connected to a station during the day, with an average of 3,800 people using it daily.
— Green Infrastructure: Sapporo City plans to double street trees while balancing with winter snow removal.

10. Outlook for August and Beyond

The Japan Meteorological Agency states that "severe heat will continue in northern and western Japan in late August," with average temperatures expected to be +1 to 2°C higher. While increased rainfall from typhoons may temporarily lower temperatures, the probability of temperatures being below average, except in the southwestern islands, is only 10%. Residents are advised to utilize heatstroke alerts and prepare for water shortage risks.ABS-CBN

11. Conclusion

In July 2025, the notion that "summer is hot" has been surpassed, with "hottest on record" becoming a "common term." Data visualizes global climate change, while social media reflects our individual perceptions of temperature. Whether the next summer becomes a "record" or a "new normal"—the choice lies with society as a whole.

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