The “heat index” has five levels, each of which provides guidelines for lifestyle and exercise to prevent heat stroke. When the risk is “extremely dangerous,” which is higher than the “dangerous” level, a “heat stroke alert” is issued (from the Ministry of the Environment website). Consecutive hot days: In 2010 and 2018, the Kanto Koshin region had consecutive hot days. The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts that this summer will be hot nationwide due to the La Niña phenomenon. A similar phenomenon to this year’s occurred in the summer of 2010, when Hokkaido recorded the nation’s first extremely hot day of the year on June 26, and also observed abnormally high temperatures with maximum temperatures exceeding 15°C above normal. Koshigaya City, Saitama Prefecture, recorded 18 consecutive hot days from August 21 to September 7, and Koga City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Saitama City, and Nerima Ward, Tokyo, 17 consecutive hot days. The annual number of tropical nights was 56 in Tokyo (average: 27.8 days). The Japan Meteorological Agency recognized this heat wave as a once-in-30-years extreme weather event. According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of deaths due to heat stroke that year was 1,718 nationwide, including 272 in Tokyo and 124 in Saitama Prefecture. The number of deaths exceeded 1,000 for the first time in statistical history. The unusually early end of the rainy season was due to the strong overhang of the Pacific High Pressure System and the early push-up of the rainy season front, which led to a similar phenomenon in 2018, with 54,220 people being transported to hospitals for emergency medical treatment due to heat stroke in July across Japan, and 133 people dying. The number of fatalities in July exceeded the 95 fatalities in July 2010.