Tokyo saw a record number of heat-related hospitalizations on Wednesday, with 453 people taken to hospital, the highest daily count since records began in 2010. The heatwave has overwhelmed emergency services, leading to the highest number of dispatches in at least 63 years. One person has died, with four others in critical condition and 18 in serious condition across Tokyo prefecture.
The Tokyo Fire Department reported that the surge in patients coincided with rising temperatures. A fire brigade spokesman urged residents to stay hydrated and use air conditioners to cope with the extreme heat.
Emergency services made 3,612 dispatches on Wednesday, the highest since records began in 1963. The heatwave has put immense pressure on Tokyo's healthcare system, with hospitals struggling to manage the influx of patients.
The heatwave is part of a broader trend of extreme weather events affecting Japan. Climate change is increasingly being cited as a factor in the severity and frequency of such events.
Authorities are urging the public to take precautions against the heat, including staying indoors during the hottest parts of the day and checking on vulnerable neighbors.
