Climate change impacts and adaptations in each sector
Climate change affects many aspects of our lives, including daily living and the natural environment. This page explains the impacts observed in Japan by organizing them into seven key sectors, and clearly introduces real-world examples of adaptation efforts.
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Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries
Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries support Japan’s food supply and depend heavily on climate conditions.
Rising temperatures and changing rainfall have already affected rice, fruits, livestock, and marine products. Rice quality has declined, and yields fluctuate; fruits show poor or delayed coloration and changes in shipping periods; livestock experience slower growth and lower production; and marine products face shifts in distribution and aquaculture losses.
In the future, these impacts are expected to worsen, including reduced rice yields, contractions in fruit cultivation areas, slower livestock growth, and further changes in marine resources, highlighting the urgent need for adaptation measures.
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Water environment and water resources
Climate change is already affecting Japan’s water environment and resources through rising water temperatures and increased water shortages.
Higher temperatures have reduced lake freezing, exemplified by the decline of Lake Suwa’s Omiwatari phenomenon, and have worsened water quality by promoting algal blooms that cause odor and drinking water problems.
Prolonged low rainfall has led to dam water depletion and water-use restrictions, as seen during nationwide shortages in 2016. In addition, reduced snowfall and earlier snowmelt are decreasing spring water availability, intensifying irrigation shortages and potentially affecting domestic and industrial water supplies in the future.
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Natural ecosystems
Climate change is already affecting both terrestrial and marine ecosystems in Japan, and these impacts are expected to intensify in the future.
Changes in temperature and precipitation are shifting the distribution of plants and animals. For example, the ranges of Sika deer and wild boar are expanding, increasing damage to agricultural crops. Rising sea surface temperatures are also causing more frequent coral bleaching. In 2016, a large-scale bleaching event occurred in Sekisei Lagoon. If global temperatures rise by 4℃, coral habitats around Japan could disappear. Warming seas are also contributing to the decline of coastal seaweed beds, leading to the degradation of marine ecosystems.
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Natural disasters and coastal areas
As climate change advances, rainfall intensity is expected to increase, potentially heightening the risk of natural disasters in Japan.
Heavy rainfall has worsened river flooding, as seen with Typhoon Hagibis in 2019, which caused record-breaking flood damage thought to be linked to climate-change-driven increases in precipitation. Rising sea levels and possible changes in typhoon intensity are also increasing the risk of storm surge, as exemplified by Typhoon Jebi in 2018. More frequent and prolonged heavy rains are contributing to a rise in landslides and sediment-laden floods.
Looking ahead, climate change is expected to further amplify damage from river flooding, storm surges, and landslides across Japan.
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Human health
Climate change may increasingly threaten human health in Japan by raising the risks of heatstroke and infectious diseases. Rising summer temperatures and a growing elderly population vulnerable to heatstroke have contributed to an increase in heatstroke-related deaths, which now exceed 1,000 annually and are concentrated mainly among older adults.
Climate change is also expected to promote the spread of infectious diseases. Warmer temperatures can accelerate the growth of bacteria, increasing the risk of infections transmitted through food and water. In addition, warming conditions may expand the habitat of mosquitoes, contributing to the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever.
Looking ahead, further temperature rises are expected to intensify these health impacts. As a result, the number of emergency transports for heatstroke and the risks of various diseases are projected to increase nationwide.
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Industrial and economic activities
Climate change may affect industrial and economic activities in Japan.
For example, rising temperatures and reduced snowfall are decreasing visitor numbers and profits at ski resorts. More frequent natural disasters are also leading to rising insurance losses and higher insurance premiums. In addition, manufacturing and commercial activities are affected by heavy rainfall and rapid temperature changes, causing physical damage, supply disruptions, and fluctuations in sales.
In the future, climate change is expected to increase these risks and lead to greater economic losses across multiple sectors.
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Life of the citizenry and urban life
Climate change is significantly affecting infrastructure and lifelines in Japan, as seen in the flooding of Shinkansen train sets during Typhoon Hagibis. These risks are expected to further intensify, leading to prolonged power outages and service disruptions.
The earlier blooming of cherry blossoms is causing a loss of seasonal cues, impacting local traditional events and tourist attractions. In urban areas, the urban heat island phenomenon exacerbates heat stress, increasing heatstroke risks and sleep disturbances. Furthermore, worsening heat makes holding summer sports events increasingly difficult, as evidenced by the record-breaking heat during the Tokyo Olympics. As climate change progresses, these diverse impacts will continue to challenge our daily lives.