HOME > NATIONAL > Article

Text Size

small

medium

large


Japan to Start This Year's Special Heat Stroke Alert System Wed.

Japan to Start This Year's Special Heat Stroke Alert System Wed.

   Tokyo, April 19 (Jiji Press)--Japan is set to begin this year's operation of its Special Heat Stroke Alert system Wednesday in an effort to reduce health damage from extreme summer heat.
   The Environment Ministry will issue the special alert when unprecedented levels of dangerous heat are expected. Operation of the ordinary Heat Stroke Alert system for instances of possible heat-linked health risks will also begin the same day, and both systems will run through Oct. 22.
   When a heat stress index that factors in temperature and humidity, called the wet-bulb globe temperature index, is forecast to exceed the threshold of 35 at all observation points in a prefecture, the ministry will issue the special alert around 2 p.m. the day before.
   While the special alert is in effect, municipalities will make air-conditioned facilities designated as cooling shelters open to the public. Organizers of school events and other activities will be asked to consider canceling or postponing them.
   The ordinary alert system, operated by the Environment Ministry and the Japan Meteorological Agency, divides the country into 58 districts. The alert will be issued around 5 p.m. the previous day or around 5 a.m. that day if the heat stress index is forecast to stand at or above 33 at one or more observation points in a district.

To read a full story, please click here to find out how to subscribe.

NATIONAL

HEADLINES

POLITICS
Japan Protests Russia's Plan to Conduct Firing Drills near Disputed Islands
ECONOMY
Nissan Starts Production of New SUV Model in Brazil, Investing 2.8 billion Reals
SPORTS
Pro Baseball: Yakult Swallows Slugger Murakami Removed from Roster over Injury
OTHER
China's US Cotton Imports Plunge in March, Apparently due to Retaliatory Tariffs

AFP-JIJI PRESS NEWS JOURNAL


Photos