| Publication date | July 23, 2019 |
|---|---|
| Sector | Human health / Life of Citizenry and Urban Life |
| Region name | Kanto（Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture） |
The Foehn effect and heat island air flow from the center of Tokyo make Kumagaya is one of the hottest urban environments in Japan during summer months. Average summer (June-August) temperatures observed at Kumagaya Local Meteorological Office, JMA (Statistical Period: 1897-2018) indicate an upward trend, and may rise further due to the effects of climate change.
Kumagaya City has developed a children’s education program for raising awareness of heat mitigation. The city provides support for the creation of elementary school children's committees so that children can learn about heat mitigation and heat stroke prevention through their own initiatives. Children themselves propose and try out ideas for heat countermeasures, and Kumagaya City subsidizes part of the cost. In addition, the "Junior High School Supporter Project" aims to coach all Kumagaya public junior high school students to be "heat countermeasure supporters". In their first year students take classes on heat countermeasures, the second year students take AED courses, and in their third year students can broadcast information on the emergency public service radio network, helping to raise awareness of heat countermeasures in local communities (Figs: 1 and 2).
It is hoped that children will become more aware of how to avoid heat stroke themselves, that they will be able to help others in the event of heat stroke, and that children will pass on what they have learnt to their families and communities.
Fig. 1 Junior High School Students at a heat mitigation awareness event
(Source: Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture: heat stroke Mitigation in Kumagaya City, 2005-2017)
Fig. 2 Heat Countermeasure Supporter course certificate of completion for Junior High School Students.
(Source: Center for Environmental Information Science (a General Incorporated Association), "2018 Report on Survey of Adaptive Measures for Heat Environment" (Outsourced Report commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment))
