When people complain about the heat and humidity during Japan’s long summers, it really is that big of a deal. Every year new record high temperatures are reached, and fatal heat strokes (for people of all ages) are only increasing. On top of that, bear sightings and attacks are on the rise, and giant hornet populations are increasing too. While there are so many fun activities during the summer, there are also plenty of health risks and taking precaution is never a bad thing. Get that UV protection and stay hydrated, y’all.
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Words mentioned/useful words:
酷暑日 kokushobi - cruelly hot day (over 40 C) 104 F
夏日 natsubi - summer day (25 C +) 77 F
真夏日 manatsubi - midsummer day (30 C +) 86 F
猛暑日 moushobi - extremely hot day (35 C +) 95 F
References/sources:
Fatal heat stroke at Hirakata Park: https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20190730/p2a/00m/0na/008000c
39 students in Kanagawa rushed to hospital for heat stroke: https://www.city.ebina.kanagawa.jp/koho/1007115/press/1016291/1016740/1016811.html
2nd grader in Hokkaido passes away from heatstroke: https://www.asahi.com/sp/articles/ASR8R2QPVR8QIIPE016.html
What happens to the body in extreme temperatures:
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/07/23/1189506023/heres-what-happens-to-the-body-in-extreme-temperatures-and-how-heat-becomes-dead
Heat stroke: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heat-stroke/symptoms-causes/syc-20353581
Japan weather agency adopts 'cruelly hot day' as new term for temps upwards of 40 C:
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260417/p2a/00m/0na/008000c
Japan’s schools battle to keep kids cool, with or without AC: https://features.japantimes.co.jp/extreme-heat-education-cooling/
Find a swimming pool in Japan: https://blog.gaijinpot.com/urban-oasis-how-to-enjoy-a-swimming-pool-in-japan/
Inmate at Nagoya Prison dies of heatstroke in cell with no air-conditioning:
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20180726/p2a/00m/0na/016000c
Highest temps: https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h02498/
https://featured.japan-forward.com/japan2earth/2024/01/5494/
10-year trend: Many heatstroke deaths occur in early summer: https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15794779
Japan begins annual heatstroke alerts: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/3965/
Japan saw record number treated for heatstroke in hottest-ever summer: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10/02/japan/science-health/japan-record-heat-stroke-2025/
Why Central AC Isn't Common in Japan's Hot Summers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TMPxyCFFOI
Nine of Japan’s 10 regional power utilities to raise bills in February: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/01/30/electricity-bills-rise-february/
Average electricity bills: https://x-house.co.jp/en/column/sharehouse/xross-2085/
Why bears are getting worryingly comfortable in Japan's urban areas: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/4892/
4 injured in bear attacks in northeast Japan, all conscious: https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260602/p2g/00m/0bu/021000c
Sharp increase in hornet attacks in Japan linked to climate change: https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15037178
Time stamps
00:00 take summer seriously/word of the day
05:14 hottest cities in Japan
10:44 heatstroke stats
13:14 heat exhaustion vs stroke
16:32 AC situation in schools
27:32 why Japan’s humidity is so bad
33:33 ventilation vs insulation
37:01 electricity bills
39:50 bears, hornets and snakes oh my
55:27 survival tips for summer
