An unusual heat wave causes dozens of deaths in Japan

(CNN) –

Dozens of people have died throughout Japan as the country continues to suffocate under the scorching summer temperatures.

At least 44 people have died since Saturday, July 9, according to Kyodo News, while temperatures remain around 38 degrees Celsius in downtown Tokyo on Monday.

In the nearby town of Kumayaga, thermometers reached 41.1 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature in Japanese history, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, nearly 12 degrees warmer than average temperatures for this time of year.

Lee: What Obama thinks of technology, nationalism and climate change

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will begin in two years

Authorities predict extreme temperatures of more than 35 degrees for most islands of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. The island of Hokkaido, in the north, is the only one of the four main islands of Japan that will not experience record temperatures.

"The risk of illness by heat is higher than usual," said the agency. , asking people to "take appropriate measures", including drinking plenty of water, stay out of direct sunlight and use air conditioning.

According to AccuWeather badyst Joel N. Myers, the death toll "it seems to be hundreds despite the fact that the official account says that they are more than two dozen", and could increase further more. "19659010" Older people and those with pre-existing conditions, such as people with asthma and heart disease, are the most likely "Exhaustion of heat and cardiovascular events, migraine, loss of sleep and the alteration of the state of mind, "said Myers in a statement. or they can arrive because of the dangerous heat. Historical data show that more people are likely to be involved in road accidents because of heat-related impacts, such as a decrease in concentration, poor sleep quality and a deterioration of mood, etc. According to Myers, in parts of Japan where temperatures are generally not high, air conditioning is less prevalent, which means that people do not have cool place to rest from the heat

. ] A government survey released last year found that only 42% of elementary and secondary schools had air conditioning, and most of the apartment buildings do not have a centralized climate control system.

Lee: Global warming will increase for the release of the EU from the Paris Agreement: UN

Cultural sensitivity to waste fueled a general apathy The air conditioner over the years years, which was exacerbated by environmental concerns and a government-led campaign called "Cool Biz" which urged companies to install thermostats at 28 degrees to avoid wasting energy.

The power cuts caused by the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011 also led to reducing or limiting the use of air conditioners.

"It is often said that keeping the air conditioner turned on at night was not good for one's health, but we do it like that all year," said Kenichiro Maeda, a construction worker. factory in Tokyo.

Lee: How would the Paris agreement on climate without the United States?

all over the world, he said that "we have to do something, but we feel helpless."

A hot summer

Last month was the fifth warmest month of June in history in the registry, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOOA). The 10 hottest junes in history have occurred since 2005, and the hottest of all in 2016.

Worldwide, the average temperature of the land and ocean surface over the past three years first months of 2018 was the sixth This period was marked by heat waves and extreme weather conditions.

Asia was particularly affected by this heat wave. At least 21 people have died as a result of the floods this month and more than 190,000 people have been displaced to and around Shanghai, where tropical storm Ampil is hitting China's east coast.

Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated to the Philippines, with monsoon rains exacerbated by multiple storms, causing floods and other hazards.

The heat wave in Japan comes after the country has experienced the worst floods of recent years, when a unique set of weather conditions caused a great deal of rain striking an area unprepared for it.