News On Japan

Japan Endures Two Consecutive Years of Record Heat

TOKYO, Sep 02 (News On Japan) - Japan has experienced its hottest summer on record for the second consecutive year, with temperatures matching those of 2023.

The extreme heat has affected various regions, with Northern, Eastern, and Western Japan all recording significantly higher-than-average temperatures. Tokyo and Osaka saw numerous extremely hot days, with some locations reaching over 40°C.

The heat has led to changes in events and school activities, including postponing summer festivals and canceling swimming sessions at schools. Looking ahead, the record-breaking heat is expected to continue into September, with potential for slow-moving typhoons and sudden thunderstorms.The Pacific high pressure, which dominates summer, is expected to strengthen more than usual, spreading across the Japanese archipelago.

As moist air flows around the edge of this high pressure, sudden thunderstorms, or "guerrilla downpours," are expected in September. Sudden weather changes should be carefully monitored.

This year, Tokyo has already seen an increased number of thunderstorm days, and this trend may continue for another month as the Pacific high pressure has been prone to strengthening due to conditions in the south.

Near the equator, there is a tendency for clouds to form, leading to rising air currents. However, to balance this, the air must descend somewhere, and the high pressure strengthens north of the cloud-covered areas, leading to hotter conditions.

Typhoon No. 10 has already caused widespread impact, and Typhoon No. 11 is forming. While its impact on Japan is expected to be limited, the conditions remain favorable for typhoon formation.

Hirose added that the cloud mass east of Typhoon No. 11 could develop into a tropical depression (a precursor to a typhoon). He advised staying alert to typhoon updates throughout the week.

Typhoon No. 10 was a slow-moving storm, prolonging its impact. This trend could continue into September.

Source: TBS

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Scholars affiliated with the Science Council of Japan formed a symbolic human chain in front of the National Diet building on May 8th, calling for revisions to the government’s proposed reform bill targeting the council’s structure, as deliberations enter their final phase in the Diet.

Across Japan, road collapses have been occurring with increasing frequency, often blamed on aging infrastructure. In one recent incident in Ashioshi, Saitama Prefecture, a truck was swallowed by a gaping sinkhole.

Two men who were arrested for forcibly entering an elementary school in Tachikawa City, Tokyo, and assaulting staff members have been identified as friends of a student's mother. One of the suspects denies the charges, claiming he was only brushing people off after being restrained.

Cherry blossoms have begun to bloom in Wakkanai and Kushiro, marking the near completion of Japan's cherry blossom front for 2025.

As many in Japan returned to work or school on May 7th following the Golden Week holiday, a growing number are reporting post-holiday fatigue and sleep deprivation—conditions that experts warn may point to deeper sleep-related issues.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Sci-Tech NEWS

A groundbreaking project to develop the world’s first artificial satellite made of wood is underway in Kyoto, led by astronaut Takao Doi. The initiative is part of a broader push toward environmentally sustainable space exploration.

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), made from used cooking oil and other waste materials, has been produced domestically in Japan for the first time and supplied to an aircraft.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority approved a draft review on April 30th confirming that safety measures at Hokkaido Electric Power’s Tomari Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 comply with the country’s updated safety standards. This effectively clears the unit for restart, making it the 18th reactor at 11 nuclear plants nationwide to pass the review under the new regulatory framework.

Vegetables that were destined for disposal are being given a new purpose as crayons that retain their natural colors and even a faint trace of their original scent.

One of the main attractions at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, the "flying car," experienced an unexpected malfunction, raising concerns about safety and delaying its return to operation.

What does it feel like to have Restless Legs Syndrome? From my own experience, it is like being buried in sand, with a deep, heavy ache that can only be relieved by moving the legs or through constant massage. Resisting the urge to move can trigger a sense of panic, similar to claustrophobia—just when all you want to do is sleep. It’s exhausting, often lasting through the night and into the early morning hours, sometimes even longer.

Organic fluorine compounds known as PFAS—suspected to be harmful to human health—have been detected at concentrations exceeding the national provisional target in rivers and groundwater at 242 sites across 22 prefectures, according to a government survey.

Kyoto University and its research team have revealed that several former employees of Daikin Industries developed lung diseases, potentially linked to exposure to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a group of chemical compounds used in industrial manufacturing.