Japan faces rising heatstroke cases and emergency medical strain

Japan is facing a significant public health challenge due to extreme heat, leading to a surge in heatstroke cases and strain on emergency medical services. In Akita Prefecture, the number of people transported by ambulance for heatstroke reached 149 over a two-week period, a 1.7-fold increase compared to the previous year, with elderly individuals accounting for approximately 80% of cases.

In Nagoya, extreme temperatures have triggered official heatstroke alerts when ambulance utilization rates exceeded 80%. The medical community has expressed concern over the increasing pressure on emergency rooms and the potential for future collapses in emergency transport systems. Projections from the National Institute for Environmental Studies suggest that by 2050, heatstroke patients alone could saturate ambulance services in Tokyo, leading to frequent difficulties in patient transport.

To mitigate risks, some industries are adjusting operations. Obayashi Corporation has implemented earlier work schedules at approximately 60 construction sites to avoid peak afternoon temperatures. Nationally, heat-related deaths and injuries are rising, with experts emphasizing the urgent need to reduce heatstroke incidence and manage non-essential emergency calls to preserve medical capacity.