Key Facts
• Japan faces record-breaking heat, with temperatures nearing 40°C nationwide.
• Shimane Prefecture’s Hii River has dried up, exposing the riverbed.
• Nagoya recorded 38.4°C, Kyoto 38.6°C, and Tokyo 36.1°C on August 3.
• Over 319 locations in Japan experienced temperatures above 35°C.
• Summer vegetable prices, including tomatoes, rose by 10–30% due to heat and drought.
• Tomato production in Saitama dropped by 80%, with smaller and damaged crops.
• Miyagi’s Naruko Dam hit 0% water storage on July 29, the first time in 31 years.
• Rice farmers in Miyagi report cracked fields and crops at risk of dying.
• Rainfall in some areas is less than 20% of the monthly average.
• Livestock farms in Shimane face water shortages, switching from well water to costly tap water.
• Shimane’s Obara Dam has a water storage rate of 28.4%, with risks of reaching 0%.
Summary
Japan is grappling with an unprecedented heatwave, with temperatures nearing 40°C across the country. Rivers like Shimane’s Hii River have dried up, and agricultural sectors are severely impacted. Tomato prices have surged by up to 30%, and production has plummeted by 80% in some areas. Miyagi’s Naruko Dam reached 0% water storage, leaving rice farmers struggling with cracked fields and dying crops. Livestock farms in Shimane face water shortages, relying on expensive tap water as wells dry up. Despite sporadic rainfall, it has been insufficient to alleviate the drought. The Meteorological Agency forecasts increased rain in some regions, but it may not resolve the ongoing water crisis.
