Due to the effects of the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, there has been a significant reduction in the electricity supply capacities. The supply-demand balance is expected to become tighter in this summer. Therefore, the Government of Japan has appealed for people to save on electricity, such as raising the temperature settings of the air conditioner.
Since such electricity saving measures have possibilities to increase the risk of heat illness, from 13 July, JMA started providing information on extreme high temperature named “Extreme High Temperature Forecasts” to call attention to it.
“Extreme High Temperature Forecasts” is issued at 5 a.m. and 11 a.m. for each prefecture except Hokkaido and Okinawa when the maximum temperature of the day in the prefecture is expected to exceed 35ºC (95ºF). It is also issued at 5 p.m. for each area except Hokkaido and Okinawa when the maximum temperature of the next day in the area is expected to exceed 35ºC (95ºF). The prefectures and/or areas corresponding to the issuances are displayed on the web site.
Other information on expected extreme high temperatures for longer term is also provided, but only in Japanese. This information is all accessible from the web site.
When an extreme high temperature is expected, people (especially elderly people, infants and people not feeling well) need to take enough measures, such as: