Increasing temperatures making it more challenging for players in MLB, NPB

CALIFORNIA — It’s getting hotter isn’t it? Japan’s average temperature in 2023 was the highest on record since such measurements began in the 19^th century. The average temperature was 1.29 Celsius degree warmer than 30 years earlier and 1.15 Centigrade warmer than 50 years ago. This compares to the global average of 0.68.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, as reported by Kyodo News, earlier this year, 2019 to 2023 ranked as the five hottest years in recorded history and last year set monthly highs for March, July, August and September.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Japan was 41.7 on Aug. 17, 2020, in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka.

In Tokyo, the average temperature has risen by 3 degrees over the past century. 

There were only 15 tropical nights in Tokyo back in the 1970’s. Now there are over 40. Tokyo’s August is now a whopping 29.2. What’s more, the temperature hit 27.5 degrees in Tokyo on Nov. 7, the highest ever recorded for that month.