What's happened
Recent temperature records in Japan and Korea highlight the intensifying impact of climate change. Isesaki and Hyogo in Japan hit new highs of 41.8°C, while Seoul experiences its 22nd tropical night. Experts warn these extreme conditions will worsen without urgent climate action.
What's behind the headline?
The recent heat records in Japan and Korea underscore the accelerating effects of climate change in Asia. The Japan Meteorological Agency reports Isesaki reaching 41.8°C, surpassing previous records, while Seoul endures its 22nd tropical night, a sign of persistent heat. These extreme temperatures are not isolated incidents but part of a broader trend of rising global temperatures. Experts warn that without significant mitigation efforts, such heatwaves will become more frequent and intense, threatening public health, agriculture, and infrastructure. The widespread health alerts, water shortages, and infrastructure disruptions indicate that the region is already feeling the tangible impacts of climate change. Governments' responses, including public health warnings and policy adjustments like loosening dress codes, reflect an urgent need to adapt to these new realities. The data from Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam collectively demonstrate that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a current crisis demanding immediate action. The pattern of record-breaking temperatures and prolonged heatwaves will likely continue, with the potential to cause more severe socio-economic consequences if global emissions are not curbed.
What the papers say
Bloomberg and Al Jazeera provide detailed reports on the recent temperature records in Japan, highlighting the unprecedented highs of 41.8°C in Isesaki and Hyogo, and the ongoing heatwave affecting Korea and Vietnam. Bloomberg emphasizes the scientific context, noting that these events are part of a pattern of increasingly erratic weather linked to climate change. Al Jazeera offers a comprehensive overview, including the health impacts, infrastructure challenges, and policy responses, such as loosening dress codes in Korea and warnings issued across Japan. Both sources agree that these extreme temperatures are symptomatic of a warming planet, with experts warning that such events will become more frequent without decisive climate action. The South China Morning Post adds context by illustrating the broader regional impact, including record low rainfall and water shortages, further exacerbating the crisis. The Japan Times and NHK focus on the immediate health risks and the record-breaking nature of recent days, reinforcing the urgency of the situation. Overall, these sources collectively portray a region under severe stress from climate-induced heatwaves, emphasizing the need for global and regional mitigation strategies.
How we got here
Japan and South Korea have experienced increasingly severe heatwaves over recent years, driven by global climate change. Record temperatures, droughts, and health alerts have become more common, with authorities urging public precautions. These events are part of a broader pattern of rising temperatures across Asia, which is warming nearly twice as fast as the global average.
Go deeper
Common question
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Why Are Korea and Japan Experiencing Record Heat Now?
South Korea and Japan are currently facing unprecedented heatwaves, with temperatures soaring past 40°C. This extreme weather has raised questions about what's causing these record-breaking temperatures and how climate change is playing a role. In this page, we'll explore the reasons behind this heatwave, its health impacts, and what governments are doing to respond. Keep reading to understand the factors driving this extreme heat and what it means for the region and beyond.
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Why Are Asia's Heatwaves Getting So Extreme?
Recent weeks have seen record-breaking heatwaves across Asia, with countries like Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam experiencing unprecedented temperatures and tropical nights. Experts link these extreme weather events to climate change, which is causing the region to warm faster than the global average. Curious about what's driving these heatwaves, the risks involved, and whether Asia can adapt? Keep reading to find out more.
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What’s Behind the US and Japan’s Climate Policy Changes and Extreme Weather?
Recent developments in US and Japan highlight a shifting landscape in climate policy and the increasing impact of climate change. From the US EPA’s attempt to roll back key regulations to Japan’s record-breaking heatwaves, these stories raise important questions about the future of global climate efforts. Here, we explore what’s happening, why it matters, and how it could affect us all.
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Why is Japan experiencing a record heatwave and what does it mean for climate change?
Japan is currently facing an unprecedented heatwave, with temperatures reaching all-time highs. This extreme weather event raises important questions about the link between climate change and rising temperatures. In this guide, we explore how hot it is, whether these records are connected to global warming, which regions are most affected, and what the future holds for heatwaves across Asia.
More on these topics
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Japan is an island country of East Asia in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It borders the Sea of Japan to the west and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south.
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South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea.
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Seoul, officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. Seoul has a population of 9.7 million people, and forms the heart of the Seoul Capital Area with the surrounding Incheon metropolis and Gyeonggi province.
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Mount Fuji (富士山・富士の山, Fujisan, Fuji no Yama) is an active stratovolcano located on the Japanese island of Honshu, with a summit elevation of 3,776.24 m (12,389 ft 3 in). It is the highest mountain in Japan, the second-highest volcano on an
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Isesaki is a city located in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 September 2020, the city had an estimated population of 213,303 in 91,789 households, and a population density of 1500 persons per km². The total area of the city is 139.44 square kilometres.
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The Japan Meteorological Agency, abbreviated JMA, is an agency of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. It is charged with gathering and providing results for the public in Japan that are obtained from data based on daily scientific