36 C in Tokyo Today


Temperatures reached 36 C (96.8 F) today in central Tokyo at noon. That very hot. That is a lot hotter than in Okinawa prefecture in southern Japan, where it was only 30 C (86 F) today...


The reason is called the "heat island" phenomena. Many highrise buildings have been constructed along Tokyo Bay, blocking winds and trapping the heat. Also, cars and air conditioners, and few forests or parks with trees - "Lungs of the Earth" - are blamed.

Experts are taking this seriously, since the consequences are severe for the citizens:

In 2005, the JMA started publishing the annual report on the analysis and simulation results about the summertime heat island phenomenon in Kanto region, Japan. On 31st March 2006, the report for the summer 2005 was issued through the JMA website. It was revealed from the model simulation that the most important factor that contributes to the formation of the heat island in the daytime is the land use change, featuring the shrinkage of green space and the growth of artificial ground cover, and the factor contributing to the formation in the nighttime is the increase of architectural structures (urban canopy).

Read the Japan Meteorological Agency report here: Heat Island Phenomenon in Tokyo

Read more on the Tokyo Climate Center website.

Counter-measures suggested by Japan's Environment Ministry (pdf) include:
1) Reduction of Anthropogenic Heat Emission
2) Improvement of Urban Surface
3) Improvement of Urban Structure
4) Improvement of Life Style

And don't forget to drink lots of water...

(Click on the weather map from JMA for a larger image)

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