Japan and South Korea have endured their hottest summers on record, with temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Japan’s average temperature this summer was 2.36 degrees Celsius (4.24 degrees Fahrenheit) above the 30-year average from 1991 to 2020, marking the hottest summer since statistics began in 1898.
The JMA reported that average summer temperatures broke records at 123 out of 153 weather stations nationwide, with the number of automated meteorological stations recording “extremely hot days” reaching a record 9,385.
The agency warned that severe heat is expected to continue over the next two weeks, particularly in eastern and western Japan, urging citizens to take necessary precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses.
In South Korea, the average summer temperature set a new record, hitting 25.7C (78.26F), the highest since authorities began collecting data in 1973.
This follows last year’s record-breaking summer, which saw an average temperature of 25.6C (78.08F). The Korea Meteorological Administration said the latest figures underscore the impact of climate change on weather patterns globally.
The record-setting temperatures in East Asia come amid warnings from scientists that human-driven climate change is creating more extreme weather events.
According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Asia has been particularly susceptible to extreme heat, warming nearly twice as fast as the global average.
The region’s average temperature last year was about 1.04C (1.87F) above the 1991-2020 trend, making 2024 either the warmest or second warmest year on record.
Masao Nakano, an 80-year-old avid runner in Tokyo, expressed his concerns about the changing climate. “This is crazy. It’s all man-made, right? All the air-cons and power generation,” he said, attributing the scorching heat to human activities. Nakano survives the heat by working out at a gym and jogging to prepare for a marathon.
The sweltering heat has taken a toll on public health, with 84,521 people hospitalized nationwide in Japan from May 1 to August 24, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. In South Korea, at least 16 people have died from heat-related illnesses this year.
The heatwave has also exacerbated drought conditions in South Korea’s eastern coastal city of Gangneung, prompting authorities to declare a state of national disaster.
Water levels at the Obong reservoir have fallen below 15%, forcing the implementation of water restrictions, including shutting off 75% of household meters.
The latest records underscore the growing trend of extreme weather events globally. As climate change continues to drive temperatures upward, countries in Asia and beyond are facing increasingly severe heatwaves, droughts, and other climate-related disasters.
The WMO’s findings highlight the urgent need for global action to mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to the new reality of extreme weather.