▲ Heatwave in Tokyo
As scorching heat continues across Japan and the number of heatstroke patients rapidly increases, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has announced plans to soon establish a ministerial meeting dedicated to heatstroke countermeasures.
Prime Minister Takaichi particularly emphasized that she would enhance the effectiveness of these measures by incorporating the latest knowledge and technology.
Heatstroke patients have surged significantly as temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius continue to be recorded in various parts of Japan.
According to data compiled by the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, the number of people rushed to hospitals due to heatstroke totaled 10,857 during the one-week period from July 13 to 19, more than double the 4,580 recorded the previous week.
Heatstroke casualties occurring in workplaces are also increasing.
Citing data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the Asahi Shimbun reported that 1,803 people either died or took four or more days off work due to "workplace heatstroke" in Japan last year, marking an increase of about 40 percent from the previous year.
This is the largest scale recorded since related statistics began to be compiled in 2005.
There were also 19 fatalities.
Experts pointed out that the record-breaking heat, which saw average temperatures across Japan between June and August last year rise 2.36 degrees Celsius higher than usual, was the main cause.
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