Japan records highest heatstroke death rate among 34 countries, study shows

Heatstroke deaths in Japan exceed 1,000 each year, with more than 80% of victims aged 65 or older. Many indoor deaths occur in homes without air‑conditioning, highlighting the need for preventive measures such as regular hydration, temperature monitoring, and appropriate clothing.

A multi‑country study published in The Lancet examined heat‑related mortality in 34 nations from 2000‑2022. Japan topped the list with a heatstroke mortality rate of 5.8 deaths per million people, far above the next highest rates in Cyprus (2.5), China (2.4), the United States (1.5) and France (1.3). In Japan, heatstroke accounted for about 24% of all heat‑related deaths, rising to 54% during extreme heat periods. The findings underscore Japan’s unusually high vulnerability to heat despite widespread air‑conditioning, and call for stronger public‑health strategies to protect the elderly and other high‑risk groups.