"Hokkaido No Longer Cool" Old Saying... Heatstroke Cases Surge Due to Worsening Global Warming

Increase in Elderly Heatstroke Cases Due to Heat Intolerance
"Separate Standards Needed for Cooler Regions"

Hokkaido, once loved as a summer retreat spot in Japan due to its cool temperatures, is now experiencing a sudden surge in summer heatwaves caused by global warming, leading to a rapid increase in heatstroke cases among the elderly who are unable to adapt. With low air conditioner penetration exacerbating heatstroke damage, voices calling for urgent government countermeasures are emerging.

On the 27th, Asahi Shimbun reported that the summers in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region, areas traditionally known for their cool climate even in summer, are showing abnormal high-temperature phenomena due to global warming. Hokkaido, located so far north that its northernmost point faces Russia's Sakhalin, maintains an average summer low temperature of 17 degrees Celsius and a high of about 24 degrees Celsius.

Weather forecast from the Japan Meteorological Agency for the 27th. Hokkaido has also entered midsummer weather with a high temperature exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, and a heatstroke warning has been issued. (Photo by Japan Meteorological Agency)

However, the phrase "Hokkaido is cool" has become a thing of the past. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the average number of midsummer days in Sapporo over the five years up to 2021 was 14.4 days, doubling compared to 20 years ago. The Tohoku region, also known for its low summer temperatures, shows a similar trend. In Akita City, the average daily maximum temperature up to 2022 rose by 1.3 degrees compared to 50 years ago.

As summer temperatures rise sharply, the number of elderly heatstroke patients has increased significantly, deepening concerns among local governments. Especially in Hokkaido, where summers have not been hot until now, preparations for heatwave facilities such as air conditioners have been insufficient, leading to a rapid increase in damage.

The number of heatstroke patients transported on days when the maximum temperature reaches 35 degrees Celsius, the heatwave standard in Japan, supports this. In 37 prefectures where the average summer temperature exceeds 23 degrees, the average number of patients per 100,000 people is about one, whereas in five prefectures with average temperatures below 22 degrees (Hokkaido, Aomori, Akita, Iwate, Miyagi), the number rises to two, indicating a higher risk.

Such heatstroke damage is expected to spread further in conjunction with rising temperatures. According to statistics released in 2017 by the Climate Change Adaptation Center of the National Institute for Environmental Studies of Japan, even a 2-degree increase in the global average temperature by the end of the 21st century will cause a significant rise in heatstroke patient transports in Hokkaido, Aomori Prefecture, and Iwate Prefecture. The center predicted that the number of patients will double or triple between 2031 and 2050 compared to 1981?2000, and considering that the number of patients in Tokyo will increase by 1.6 to 1.8 times during the same period, the problem appears even more serious.

Asahi Shimbun analyzed, "Even if a heatwave of the same temperature occurs, populations living in originally cool regions are less accustomed to heat, making them more likely to suffer from heatstroke."

Local governments are also on high alert. Akita Prefecture, which includes Akita City, announced in its global warming countermeasure promotion plan that "the incidence of heatstroke is expected to increase significantly."

Heatstroke prevention measures announced by Atsuma Town, Hokkaido. (Photo by Atsuma Town)

Air conditioner distribution, essential during abnormal high temperatures, is also under strain. Hokkaido and the Tohoku region have lower air conditioner penetration rates than the national average. According to the Cabinet Office of Japan, the air conditioner penetration rate for households with two or more people in these regions is 70%, lower than the national average of 90%.

Households in Hokkaido are rushing to install air conditioners, causing difficulties in securing and installing units. According to Yamada Holdings, a major Japanese home appliance retailer, air conditioner sales in Hokkaido have steadily increased over the past five years, with sales in 2020 rising 1.4 times compared to the previous year in Hokkaido and 1.1 times in the Tohoku region. A company representative said, "Demand has increased even in areas that could previously endure summer without air conditioners. The number of people waiting for installation work has also increased."

Experts believe that Hokkaido and the Tohoku region will be more severely affected by global warming and emphasize that measures distinguishing heatwave standards by region should be prioritized.

Yasufumi Miyake, Director of the Advanced Critical Care and Emergency Center at Teikyo University Hospital, said, "Heatwave warnings and heatstroke alerts should not be set by uniform standards such as 'temperature above 35 degrees.' For cooler regions, warnings should be issued even at lower heat indices, or a multi-level warning system should be considered."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.