As severe and scorching heat waves continue day after day in Japan, much like in South Korea, "heat-related illness insurance," which provides compensation for heat-related conditions, is surging in popularity.

According to the Tokyo Shimbun on the 7th, the number of subscriptions for "heat-related illness condolence money," an insurance product sold by Sumitomo Life Insurance Group, has surpassed 70,000 this year.

Subscriptions spiked in July, when the full-scale sweltering heat began, with the number of subscribers for that month reaching three times the monthly average recorded between January and June.

The advantage is that coverage can be secured for as short as a single day, allowing for enrollment at a low cost.

Nippon Life Insurance Group's "Heat-Related Illness and Influenza Insurance," which has a one-year contract period, also saw a sharp increase in subscribers last month.

The product covers both influenza, which is prevalent in the winter, and heat-related illnesses in the summer. July subscriptions surged to more than seven times those of the previous month.

Another advantage is its affordability, with premiums starting as low as 200 yen (approx. 1,800 won) per month.

Compensation is provided under specific conditions if policyholders suffer from heat-related illnesses while exercising or working during heat waves, or when staying in evacuation shelters or sleeping in cars due to disaster damage.

Depending on the product, the insurance payout ranges from 10,000 to 30,000 yen (approx. 90,000 to 270,000 won).

Payouts are not issued simply for contracting a heat-related illness; compensation is provided for specific medical treatments, such as receiving intravenous fluid therapy at a hospital or being hospitalized for one night or more.

According to Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the number of people rushed to hospitals in ambulances due to heat-related illnesses is steadily increasing as the heat waves persist.

The number of ambulance transports for heat-related illnesses surged from 1,370 in the first week of July to 18,591 by the fourth week of the same month (July 20 – 26).

Many of the heat-related illness cases occurred indoors as well as outdoors, and approximately 60% of the patients were elderly people aged 65 or older.

This year, 79 people have died from heat-related illnesses, and over 1,500 have suffered severe injuries.

The newspaper explained that as emergency ambulance calls for heat-related illnesses surge, the popularity of heat-related illness insurance to prepare for such risks is skyrocketing, citing low premiums and the convenience of signing up simply via smartphone as key factors behind its appeal.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)