TOKYO - Japan's environment and weather authorities have issued heatstroke alerts for a record 19 prefectures for July 15, warning that dangerous heat is expected to create an extremely high risk of heatstroke, including the first such alerts this year for the Kanto region.
The Ministry of the Environment and the Japan Meteorological Agency issued the alerts for Ibaraki, Gunma, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa, Nagano, Yamanashi, Aichi, Mie, Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Wakayama, Tokushima, Ehime, Nagasaki, Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures.
Authorities are urging people in areas covered by the alerts to pay closer attention than usual to indoor temperature and humidity, use air conditioners and other cooling equipment appropriately, and spend time in cooler environments. People are also advised to take frequent breaks and replenish fluids and salt.
Officials said the heat could cause harm to human health and urged people to protect themselves from the extreme conditions.
They also called on people to consider canceling or postponing exercise, work and other activities outdoors or in indoor spaces without air conditioning wherever possible, warning that strenuous exercise should be avoided.
Authorities further urged people to check on those especially vulnerable to heat, including elderly people, people with disabilities and small children.
Source: TBS
