猛暑への対策“最前線”…暑さに負けない最新技術とは　全国の8割が“真夏日”に【報道ステーション】(2026年7月15日)

On the 15th, approximately 80% of the 914 locations nationwide (737 locations) recorded temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, a "midsummer day." ■ "Temperatures Exceeding Body Temperature": 38.1℃ Recorded in Nagano and Ehime The hottest locations nationwide were Iida City in Nagano Prefecture and Saijo City in Ehime Prefecture, both recording a maximum temperature of 38.1 degrees Celsius. Saijo City recorded a record-breaking temperature, tying its highest ever recorded temperature. On the 15th, a record high of 25 prefectures and cities across Japan issued "heatstroke warning alerts." This is the first time this year that such alerts have been issued in the Kanto region (1 metropolis and 6 prefectures). In Tokyo, 104 people were transported to hospitals suspected of suffering from heatstroke. ■ Heatstroke Warning for Farm Work in the Blazing Sun In Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, rice paddy weeding was underway in preparation for the autumn harvest. Employee "It feels like nearly 40 degrees Celsius. Since we use machinery and work on steep slopes, the perceived temperature is higher than the forecast." They wear fan-equipped vests and straw hats to prevent heatstroke. They also pay attention to working hours. Mochizuki Shigeki, Representative of Mochizuki Agricultural Center "If there's wind like today, we can work, but if there's no wind, we stop mowing in the afternoon. In August, we only work in the mornings. We don't let them work in the afternoons. (Q. In your 50 years of farming, this heat is) abnormal, it's painfully hot. (Q. To put it in one word) It's the kind of heat that puts you at a life-or-death point. I think it's really tough on the crops." The number of deaths from heatstroke during agricultural work has been increasing in recent years. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 59 deaths were projected for 2024, the highest number in the past 20 years. ■The "Front Lines" of Countermeasures Against Extreme Heat An exhibition on countermeasures against extreme heat is being held at Tokyo Big Sight. The exhibition featured various heat-relief solutions, from wearable items to large fans. One exhibit showcased a cooling device filled with cold water, capable of maintaining a constant water temperature. This was used to cool the arms; cooling the blood vessels in the arms reportedly rapidly lowers the overall body temperature. Another exhibit featured a device that instantly cools the entire body with a 30-meter-per-second wind, delivering 16-degree Celsius cool air. Sankyo Air Conditioning's Tomohiro Yamanaka stated, "We promote these products in places where there's a risk of heatstroke, such as next to rest areas at construction sites, event venues, concerts, and soccer tournaments." Other exhibits included "non-wetting mist," which reduces the temperature by atomizing water into extremely fine particles that evaporate before contact with the skin, and "spot coolers" for use on tractors and forklifts. Many exhibits focused on outdoor work environments. With heatstroke prevention measures now mandatory for businesses, these exhibits highlight the need for on-site solutions. Daisuke Nishimura, Japan Management Association "We hear from companies that heat countermeasures are no longer just a temporary measure for the summer, but have become an ongoing management issue. It will affect employment and productivity, so we feel it's a challenge that companies need to address concretely." The dangerous heat will continue on the 16th. Hokkaido is expected to reach 35 degrees Celsius, and central Tokyo may experience its first day of extreme heat this year. [TV Asahi NEWS] https://news.tv-asahi.co.jp