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Awareness-raising activities through the use of “mist tent” to prevent heat stroke

Publication date September 16, 2020
Sector Human Health
Region name Kanto (Tochigi Prefecture)

Climate change impacts

According to the 2019 Tochigi Prefectural Climate Change Impact Study, the annual average temperature in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture (statistical period: 1898-2018) has increased by about 2.33°C per 100 years due to the effects of urbanization and global warming, and is expected to continue to increase in the future. Under these circumstances, the number of people transported to hospital for heat stroke in Tochigi prefecture reached a record high in 2018 (Fig. 1). The Tochigi Prefectural government is enlightening people about climate change through measures against heat stroke, which is a familiar and urgent issue.

Adaptation activity

Following the "Guidelines for Heat Illness Issues in Summer Events", issued by the Ministry of the Environment, one "mist tent" (Figs. 2 and 3), a temporary resting place using mist and tents, which is recommended as a measure against the heat, has been installed. Using this method, you can lower the temperature you feel through the combined measures of the heat shielding of the tent, the heat of vaporization of the mist, and the breeze of the fan. The mist tent is provided free of charge to prefecture and municipally-sponsored events (Fig. 4). In fiscal year 2019, the first year of the program, it was used at 18 different events.

Outputs / Expected benefits

By combining awareness-raising about climate change with the use of mist tents to prevent heat stroke, it is hoped that the event organizers will improve their environment to prevent heat-related illnesses, and that each participant will be able to change their behavior to adapt.

栃木県における熱中症搬送者数(5~9月)の推移

Fig. 1 Upward trend in hospitalizations from heat stroke in Tochigi Prefecture (May-September)
(Source: National Institute for Environmental Studies, ‘kankyō tenbōdai’ website (last accessed November 11, 2019))

ミストテントの写真

Fig. 2 Mist tent

ミスト発生機の写真

Fig. 3 Mist Generator

ミストテントを貸し出したイベントの様子

Fig. 4 Mist tent being used at an event (Open day of the Tochigi Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Science)

Sources and Related Information
Tochigi Prefecture website "Heat stroke prevention measures tent (mist tent)-Enlightenment on climate change"
http://www.pref.tochigi.lg.jp/d02/eco/kankyou/ondanka/misttent.html
Tochigi Prefectural Climate Change Adaptation Center [Climate Change], Tochigi Prefectural Website
http://www.pref.tochigi.lg.jp/d02/tochi-tekiou-2.html
Tochigi Prefecture Climate Change Countermeasure Promotion Plan(March 2021)
https://www.pref.tochigi.lg.jp/d02/eco/kankyou/ondanka/kikouhendoutaisakukeikaku.html
Ministry of the Environment "Guidelines for Heat Stroke Countermeasures in Summer Events 2020" revised in March 2020
https://www.wbgt.env.go.jp/pdf/gline/heatillness_guideline_full.pdf
National Institute for Environmental Studies, ‘kankyō tenbōdai’ website
https://tenbou.nies.go.jp/gis/indicator/?map_mode=indicator_map&discipline=1472867570&kind=6&specification=16&division=38