Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: Reuters

Japan is currently facing a very dangerous heatwave. On Monday, temperatures in Tokyo rose to the highest point this year. Many people who work outside, such as construction workers, are at great risk of suffering from heatstroke because of this extreme heat.

Heat Alerts in Many Places

This week, heatstroke alerts were issued in 30 out of Japan’s 47 prefectures. This is the highest number of alerts announced so far this year. These alerts came after Japan recorded its hottest June in history. This means that the weather in Japan is getting hotter each year, which is very worrying for everyone, especially those who spend long hours outside.

Why Is This Heat Dangerous?

In Japan, summer is always hot, but in recent years, the heat has become even more extreme. Such heat is dangerous because it can cause heatstroke, a condition where the body becomes too hot and cannot cool down. Heatstroke can make people faint, feel dizzy, and in severe cases, it can even cause death.

New Safety Rules for Workers

Because of this danger, the Japanese government has made new safety rules to protect workers from heatstroke. Starting last month, all companies must now:

• Make sure workers wear clothes that allow air to pass through easily so that their bodies can stay cool.
• Install ceilings or covers at work sites to block direct sunlight from hitting workers.
• Provide break areas with air-conditioning or at least some shaded spaces where workers can rest and cool down.
• These rules are especially important for people who work outside for many hours without proper protection.

Special Cooling Jackets for Construction Workers

At a construction site in Tokyo on Monday, where the temperature went above 35 degrees Celsius for the first time this year, workers were seen wearing special jackets. These were not ordinary jackets. They were puffy air-conditioned jackets with cooling fans attached to their backs.

These jackets were made by Daito Trust Construction along with a construction supplies company. The jackets use a special technology called thermoelectric effects to keep the workers cool. So far, about 1,500 workers have received these jackets.

A 47-year-old construction worker named Atsushi Mizutani shared his experience. He said, “When I wear this vest, I don’t sweat as much, so I don’t lose physical strength.” This means that wearing the vest helps him stay strong throughout the day because he sweats less and feels cooler.

Heatstroke Cases Rising Among Workers

Construction workers are at higher risk of heatstroke because they work outside all day under the sun. In 2023, almost 20% of all people who died or became sick due to heatstroke at work were construction workers. The government also shared that the total number of heatstroke cases at workplaces has more than doubled in the last ten years. This shows how serious the problem has become.

Older Workers Share Their Experience

Another construction worker, Takami Okamura, who is 57 years old and has worked in construction for 34 years, said, “In the past, we didn’t wear these air-conditioned jackets or anything like that, and there weren’t as many cases of people collapsing due to heatstroke as there are now.”

He added, “In recent years, air-conditioned jumpers and such items have become necessary. It makes me realise just how hot it is getting nowadays.”

Why Is This Happening?

Experts say that climate change is making summers hotter around the world, including in Japan. This means that people will have to take more steps to protect themselves, especially those working outside in the sun all day.

How Can Workers Stay Safe?

To stay safe during such heatwaves, it is important for workers to:

• Drink lots of water throughout the day.
• Take breaks often in cool or shaded areas.
• Wear light and breathable clothes or special cooling jackets.
• Avoid working during the hottest hours of the day if possible.