▲ Plastic food models melted by a heat wave in Japan, August 2025
A relentless heat wave that has gripped Japan since last week has resulted in 7 deaths and the hospitalization of 4,580 people, Kyodo News reported on July 14, citing data from Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
The agency announced that 4,580 people were transported by ambulance due to heat-related illnesses between July 6 and 12, an increase of 3,210 from the previous week.
Among those affected, 2,827 were elderly individuals aged 65 or older, accounting for 61.7% of the total.
Seven people lost their lives due to heat-related illnesses across five prefectures, including Nagano, Shimane, and Nagasaki.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, temperatures remained at mid-summer levels on July 10, with 585 out of 914 observation points across the country recording highs exceeding 30°C (86°F).
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