Sizzling Heatwaves Sweep East Asia, causing distress in Japan and South Korea
In the sweltering heat of June and July, Japan and South Korea have been grappling with a relentless heatwave, prompting authorities to issue urgent warnings and precautions.
Both countries have been urging their citizens to stay hydrated, reduce outdoor work, and maximize air-conditioning and cooling to combat the soaring temperatures. Meteorological agencies in both nations have been issuing widespread extreme heat warnings and advisories, emphasizing the importance of early warning systems and heat-health action plans.
Japan's meteorological agency has reported that June 2023 was the hottest ever recorded, with temperatures exceeding 35°C at 271 of 914 official observation points. On July 30, Tamba, Hyogo prefecture, recorded Japan's highest temperature ever at 41.2°C (106.2°F).
In response to the increasing extreme heat events, Japan has implemented several climate adaptation policies and public health measures. The country uses heat alerts based on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index and operates public cooling shelters to prevent heat-related illnesses, especially targeting vulnerable populations like the elderly.
South Korea has also been adapting to the rising temperatures, with farmers in warmer regions cultivating tropical crops like bananas and papayas in the south. However, the heatwave has taken a toll on crops, including rice and vegetables, potentially leading to market shortages and price hikes.
The heatwave has not only affected agriculture but also strained healthcare services, emergency services, and power grids in both countries. In Japan, the heatwave has resulted in 16 heat-related deaths and over 10,800 hospital admissions for heat-related illnesses. South Korea has reported 13 heat-related deaths so far this summer, over triple the rate from the same period last year.
The strain on healthcare systems is particularly evident, with both countries facing surges in heatstroke and dehydration cases, especially among vulnerable elderly populations. To address this, Seoul has expanded customer-free respite zones for the elderly and extended commute policies.
The heatwave is a stark reminder of the urgent need for deeper climate adaptation policies, public health protections, and resilient infrastructure to meet a warming future in Japan and South Korea. The ongoing challenge drives international cooperation and climate-health policy integration to strengthen resilience against extreme heat impacts.
Experts attribute the heatwave to climate change and persistent high-pressure systems over the Pacific, trapping warm air over East Asia. Projections indicate that the frequency and duration of such heat events will worsen under warmer conditions, with summers potentially becoming too dangerous for outdoor activities by mid-century without major adaptation measures.
As the heatwave continues to take its toll, both Japan and South Korea are working tirelessly to bolster their emergency response capacity, protect their citizens, and adapt to a changing climate.
- Japan and South Korea are urging their citizens to stay hydrated and maximize air-conditioning due to a heatwave, with temperatures reaching record highs.
- Meteorological agencies in both countries have issued extreme heat warnings, underscoring the importance of early warning systems and heat-health action plans.
- South Korean farmers in warmer regions are cultivating tropical crops, but the heatwave has affected rice and vegetables, potentially leading to market shortages and price hikes.
- The heatwave has resulted in deaths and hospitalizations for heat-related illnesses in both countries, particularly among the elderly, straining healthcare services.
- Experts attribute the heatwave to climate change and high-pressure systems over the Pacific, projecting that similar heat events will occur more frequently under warmer conditions.
- Consequently, Japan and South Korea are focusing on adapting to climate change, implementing climate adaptation policies, and strengthening emergency response capacity to protect their citizens and infrastructure in a warming world.
