Japan issues heatstroke warning after 6 die in Tokyo, offers ‘cooling shelters’ as respite
- Authorities urged people to avoid physical activity and issued top ‘danger’-level alerts, after several people died from heatstroke symptoms
02:42
Japan sets up ‘cooling shelters’ amid brutal heatwave
Six people have died of heatstroke in Tokyo as Japan swelters under a rare rainy season heatwave, prompting authorities to issue a flurry of health warnings, and to set up new “cooling shelters” around the capital.
Authorities urged people to avoid physical activity as the environment ministry issued top “danger”-level alerts, while media said scores of people were hospitalised, with some dying from heatstroke symptoms over the last few days.
“It’s a life-threatening emergency,” said 60-year-old Hisako Ichiuji, who resorted on Tuesday to a “cooling shelter” at the capital’s Tokyo Tower, a popular tourist spot.
Over the weekend, the central Shizuoka region became the first in Japan to see the mercury reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) this year, far surpassing the 35-degree threshold classified by weather officials as “extremely hot”.
Typically, facilities such as community centres or libraries equipped with air conditioners, the shelters are part of a scheme adopted this year requiring local governments to provide people a respite from the heat after warnings go out.
“[In the past] the temperature wasn’t like this,” Ichiuji added. “I think it’s important to keep ourselves hydrated, and take shelter in a facility like this.”