Japan to extend weather forecasts in response to climate change

TOKYO – Japan’s meteorological agency said on Aug 26 it plans to start issuing two-week forecasts to better prepare for extreme weather events, up from seven days at present.Like elsewhere, human-induced climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of dangerous weather in Japan, scientists say.In 2025, the country had its hottest summer on record and earlier in August torrential rains in the Chiba region killed at least 13 people.Currently the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issues forecasts for the following seven days.But an expert report commissioned by the JMA said that advances in climate data observations and simulations made it possible – and desirable – to extend this to two weeks.“Extended period of weather forecasts with warnings will help better preparations for extreme weather that have been frequently observed in recent years, something which is driven by global warming,” JMA official Masayuki Kyoda told AFP.“We have heard, for example, that it takes two weeks to secure manpower needed for snow removal. You can’t gather people quickly to clear snow,” added Kyoda, who is in charge of analysing abnormal weather for the agency.The JMA hopes that the changes will come into effect in 2030. AFP