Show notes
When people complain about the heat and humidity during Japan’s long summers, it really is that big of a deal. Every year new record high temperatures are reached, and fatal heat strokes (for people of all ages) are only increasing. On top of that, bear sightings and attacks are on the rise, and giant hornet populations are increasing too. While there are so many fun activities during the summer, there are also plenty of health risks and taking precaution is never a bad thing. Get that UV protection and stay hydrated, y’all. Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]: Frankie - @franklinthewoman on all platformsWords mentioned/useful words:酷暑日 kokushobi - cruelly hot day (over 40 C) 104 F夏日 natsubi - summer day (25 C +) 77 F真夏日 manatsubi - midsummer day (30 C +) 86 F猛暑日 moushobi - extremely hot day (35 C +) 95 FReferences/sources:Fatal heat stroke at Hirakata Park: https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20190730/p2a/00m/0na/008000c39 students in Kanagawa rushed to hospital for heat stroke: https://www.city.ebina.kanagawa.jp/koho/1007115/press/1016291/1016740/1016811.html2nd grader in Hokkaido passes away from heatstroke: https://www.asahi.com/sp/articles/ASR8R2QPVR8QIIPE016.htmlWhat happens to the body in extreme temperatures:https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/07/23/1189506023/heres-what-happens-to-the-body-in-extreme-temperatures-and-how-heat-becomes-deadHeat stroke: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heat-stroke/symptoms-causes/syc-20353581Japan weather agency adopts 'cruelly hot day' as new term for temps upwards of 40 C:https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260417/p2a/00m/0na/008000cJapan’s schools battle to keep kids cool, with or without AC: https://features.japantimes.co.jp/extreme-heat-education-cooling/Find a swimming pool in Japan: https://blog.gaijinpot.com/urban-oasis-how-to-enjoy-a-swimming-pool-in-japan/Inmate at Nagoya Prison dies of heatstroke in cell with no air-conditioning:https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20180726/p2a/00m/0na/016000cHighest temps: https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h02498/https://featured.japan-forward.com/japan2earth/2024/01/5494/10-year trend: Many heatstroke deaths occur in early summer: https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15794779Japan begins annual heatstroke alerts: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/3965/Japan saw record number treated for heatstroke in hottest-ever summer: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10/02/japan/science-health/japan-record-heat-stroke-2025/Why Central AC Isn't Common in Japan's Hot Summers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TMPxyCFFOINine of Japan’s 10 regional power utilities to raise bills in February: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/01/30/electricity-bills-rise-february/Average electricity bills: https://x-house.co.jp/en/column/sharehouse/xross-2085/Why bears are getting worryingly comfortable in Japan's urban areas: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/4892/ 4 injured in bear attacks in northeast Japan, all conscious: https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260602/p2g/00m/0bu/021000cSharp increase in hornet attacks in Japan linked to climate change: https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15037178Time stamps00:00 take summer seriously/word of the day05:14 hottest cities in Japan10:44 heatstroke stats13:14 heat exhaustion vs stroke16:32 AC situation in schools27:32 why Japan’s humidity is so bad33:33 ventilation vs insulation37:01 electricity bills39:50 bears, hornets and snakes oh my55:27 survival tips for summer