Tokyo
Reuters
–
Japan recorded a high of 41.8 degrees Celsius (107.2 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, urging the government to advise residents to stay indoors and promise measures to ease study abroad related to rice cultivation.
Readings for the eastern city of Gamma exceeded the previous high of 41.2 C marked in the western city of Hyogo prefecture last week, the country’s weather agency said.
So far, more than 53,000 people have been taken to hospitals due to heat stroke this summer, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
“It’s murderously hot today,” said Takeshi, a 63-year-old auto worker, who was buried in a water bottle at a fountain in central Tokyo. “If it reaches 42 degrees, preparing at 40 degrees would be hotter than baths.”
The average temperature across Japan has continued to rise after hitting record highs in July for the third consecutive year, but rain levels are very low in the northeastern region along the Sea of Japan, raising concerns about rice cultivation.
High temperatures have caused the spread of foul smelly bugs in several rice cultivation areas, despite the government officially setting it up to adopt new policies on Tuesday, an increase in rice production to prevent future shortages.
To prevent damage caused by high temperatures, we need to act with a sense of speed and a sense of crisis,” Rural Minister Ono said at a press conference. He said the government will provide support for pest control and measures to tackle drought.
The extreme heat of 2023 undermined the quality of rice, causing an acute shortage that was exacerbated last year by misreading government supply and demand. It led to historically high prices of very important staple foods, causing a national crisis.
