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Japan heatwave declared natural disaster (BBC News)
In July 2018, Japan's weather agency declared a heatwave which swept the country a natural disaster, with at least 80 deaths recorded. An agency spokesman warned that "unprecedented levels of heat" were being seen in some areas. More than 22,000 people were admitted to hospital with heat stroke, nearly half of them elderly, emergency officials said. Last Monday, the city of Kumagaya reported a temperature of 41.1ºC (106ºF), the highest ever recorded in Japan. In central Tokyo, temperatures over 40ºC were also registered for the first time.
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Discussion
Elderly people are most at risk in extreme weather. What does that mean for Japan's ageing population?
If extreme weather events keep happening, how will that affect the Japanese economy?
Scientists agree that global warming is caused by human activity and is to blame for the increase in extreme weather across the globe. Are we doing enough to reduce global warming?