National / Science & Health May 12, 2020
Fears of heat illnesses surge as Japan masks up for the summer
Experts stress caution when wearing masks for virus protection as sweltering summer heat could add to breathing difficulties and dehydration.
National May 11, 2020
Temperatures across Japan soared Monday, with many areas in the Kanto region topping 30 degrees Celsius — levels on par with those of midsummer days. As of noon, the mercury had hit 31.7 degrees Celsius in Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture; 31.1 C in Kiryu, Gunma Prefecture; ...
National Mar 29, 2020
Snow and store closures keep Tokyo crowds at bay over critical coronavirus weekend
by Masumi Koizumi and Ryusei Takahashi
A rare late-March snowfall coupled with numerous store closures helped keep Tokyo residents indoors Sunday, day two of a crucial weekend in the city's attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19. With snow falling across the Kanto region from morning until around noon, an icy ...
National Feb 10, 2020
Record-low snowfall puts Niigata city's plan to cool Tokyo Olympic venues in jeopardy
A city in Niigata Prefecture, known for its abundant snowfall every year, was planning to send snow to soccer stadiums and other facilities to be used at this year's Tokyo Olympic Games to tackle the heat. But amid record low snowfall this season, the city ...
National Jan 21, 2020
Wipe out: Japan's ski slopes suffering worst winter in decades
by Peter Elstrom and Emi Urabe
Japan's ski resorts are suffering through one of the worst snow seasons on record, disappointing locals and foreign tourists, and jeopardizing the country's budding reputation as an international ski destination. In Hokkaido to the north, where resorts like Niseko are known for reliable, fresh powder, ...
Commentary / World Jan 8, 2020
A decade of climate science confirmed our suspicions
by Faye Flam
National Jan 7, 2020
Japan's average temperature in 2019 hits record high, up nearly a degree from normal
The average temperature in Japan in 2019 hit the highest level since records began in 1898 and was nearly a degree warmer than in a typical year, according to the Meteorological Agency. The temperature exceeded the normal-year level by 0.92 degree Celsius, the agency said ...
Asia Pacific Jan 4, 2020
Death toll in Jakarta flooding rises to 53; nearly 175,000 displaced
Nearly 175,000 people remain displaced in Indonesia's capital of Jakarta and nearby towns on Saturday after flash floods and landslides killed at least 53 people amid some of the heaviest rain since records began, authorities said. "The death toll has risen to 53 people, with ...
National / Science & Health Dec 29, 2019
Team including Japanese researchers uses sea turtles to predict ocean temperature change
While measuring sea temperatures and predicting changes is key to long-term weather forecasts, a group of researchers have come up with an unusual way to improve the accuracy of prediction — attaching monitoring devices to sea turtles. The researchers released five sea turtles in Indonesia, ...
World Dec 29, 2019
At least 50 people have died in Bangladesh as cold weather continues to sweep across the country, officials said. The country's lowest temperature this year — 4.5 degrees Celsius (40.1° Fahrenheit) — was recorded early Sunday in Tetulia, a border town in the north of ...
World / Science & Health Dec 19, 2019
'This is not our winter': Moscow temperatures hit 133-year high
Residents of Moscow are wondering where winter has gone as the highest December temperatures in 133 years deprive the Russian capital of its customary covering of snow. "This is not our winter," said pensioner Ludmila Biryukova. "It came from somewhere else." At a time when snow ...