Japan Hits Record 41.8°C, Heatwave Threatens Rice Crops, Health

Japan is experiencing a severe heatwave with a record-breaking temperature of 41.8°C (107.2°F) recorded in Isesaki, Gunma Prefecture, surpassing the previous record set just last week. The extreme heat has led to over 53,000 hospitalizations for heatstroke this summer and has severely impacted agriculture, particularly rice crops, due to critically low rainfall and pest infestations such as stink bugs. Vegetable farmers like Koyama Misao in Tokyo are also suffering losses, with significant portions of crops damaged or discarded because of the heat stress and dry soil. In response, the Japanese government, led by Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, is implementing emergency measures including pest control support, drought mitigation, and policies to boost rice production to prevent shortages similar to those experienced in 2023. The government emphasizes the urgency of acting quickly to avoid further damage to food security and public health. Residents have been urged to stay indoors to cope with the dangerous heat conditions.