Japan's Meteorological Agency announced on August 1 that July 2025 was the hottest July on record since tracking began in 1898. At the same time, rainfall was unusually low, especially along the Sea of Japan side of the Tohoku and Hokuriku regions, where it was the lowest ever recorded.
Key points:
- The average temperature at 15 locations with minimal urban heat effect was 2.89°C higher than normal, beating the previous record set in July 2024.
- July temperature records have now been broken three years in a row.
- Regionally, average temperatures were:
- 4.5°C higher in northern Japan
- 2.7°C higher in eastern Japan
- 2.2°C higher in western Japan —all setting new records since data began in 1946.
- Rainfall was less than half of normal in many parts of the country.
- Tohoku (Sea of Japan side): only 13% of normal rainfall
- Hokuriku: just 8% of normal
Because of the heat and drought, rice paddies are drying out, and some rice plants are starting to show signs of damage.
The agency also said that August is expected to remain hot, and rainfall likely won’t be enough to make up for the ongoing dry conditions.
by MagazineKey4532