Table 1.
Key elements of locally operated heat stroke prevention plans in Japan.
| Key element | KUSATSU (Shiga) | KUMAGAYA (Saitama) | TAJIMI (Gifu) | OBU (Aichi) | MACHIDA (Tokyo) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead Body | - Crisis Management Division | - Department of Health Promotion | - Crisis Management Division (in collaboration with the local Health Center) | - Division of Health and Welfare (in collaboration with a local University) | - Education committee |
| Alert System | - Automated WBGT monitoring system at Elementary School (central location in the city), warning manually triggered by local government technician. | - Automated WBGT monitoring systems at elementary schools and the city hall, warning manually triggered by Japan Weather Association according to Japan Sports Association guidelines. | - Automated WBGT monitoring system at a nursery school in the city, warning triggered automatically. | - Automated WBGT monitoring system placed at a local University, warning triggered automatically according to Japan Sports Association guidelines. | - Portable WBGT measurement devices are distributed to elementary and middle schools in the city, warning triggered automatically. |
| Heat related health information plan | Alert days - Behavioral advice issued according to risk level - Email service (cell phones and PC) for registered addressees - Warning in City government website - Fax to registered organizations, institutes, work places - Advisories in local radio broadcast - Signs and announcements at City Hall - Radio communication system to district councils - Announcements from public vehicles |
Alert days - Behavioral advice issued according to risk level - Email service (cell phones and PC) for registered addressees - Warning in City government website - Fax to registered organizations, institutes, work places - Advisories in local TV stations - Signs and announcements at City Hall - When rank 4 warning is triggered, city government calls major senior centres |
Alert days - Behavioral advice issued according to risk level - Email service (cell phones and PC) for registered addressees - Radio communication system to district councils - Advisories in local radio broadcast |
Alert days - Behavioral advice issued according to risk level - Email service (cell phones and PC) for registered addressees - Warning in City government website |
Alert days N/A (Educators trained to avoid outdoors physical activities if WBGT exceeds 31ºC) |
| Routinely - Distribution of leaflets - Distribution of prevention guidelines - Heat Stroke Seminars |
Routinely - Distribution of leaflets - Banners at public facilities - Public education campaigns |
Routinely - Advisories in local newspapers - Public announcement devices - Lectures at Infant clinics - Signs at public facilities, institutions, businesses and offices |
Routinely N/A |
Routinely - Education manuals annually updated and distributed to sports instructors and school teachers. - Training sessions led by experts in June and July (twice a year). |
|
| Reduction in indoor heat exposure | - Green curtain project (cultivation of climbing plants on façades) | - Green curtain project (cultivation of climbing plants on façades) | - Green Curtain Project (cultivation of climbing plants on façades) | - Green Curtain Project for schools and city halls (cultivation of climbing plants on façades) - Fans in elementary and middle schools |
- Each middle school is provided with fans and portable refrigerator for ice in gyms. |
| Care for vulnerable people | - Targeted distribution of informative leaflets - Senior resident halls and clubs are invited to register in heat alert email service. |
- Active outreach to the elderly who live alone by social workers - Distribution of leaflets, portable heat measurement devices and special “cooling” scarves - Minsei (civil volunteers) visit seniors on regular basis during hot spells |
- Distribution of leaflets to vulnerable population - Minsei (civil volunteers) visit seniors on regular basis during hot spells - Newspaper deliverers inform the city if they find pile of accumulated newspapers in mail box |
- City runs a general local support system for senior residents, including heatstroke prevention. - Free 24/7 teleassistance communication devices. - Minsei (civil volunteers) visit seniors on regular basis during hot spells - Newspaper deliverers inform the city if they find pile of accumulated newspapers in mail box |
- N/A |
| Preparedness of the health and social care system | - No specific provisions for health care facilities and/or social services. | - No specific provisions for health care facilities and/or social services | - Health care facilities are periodically recommended to register in heat alert mail service by the city | - Health care and nursing facilities are invited to prepare for hot spells and register in heat alert mail service. | - N/A |
| Long-term urban planning and GHG emissions reduction | - Global Cooling Project (independent from heat stroke prevention plan), including: 1) Energy conservation plans 2) Ecological Vehicle Promotions 3) Use of solar energy systems 4) Climate campaigning and education. |
- City-funded application of reflective painting on buildings and roads - Green roofing (office buildings) - Financial support for tree planting around private and public buildings and houses - Increase in Green public spaces |
- Financial support for tree planting around private and public buildings and houses - Installation of reflective materials for roads and housing - Increase in Green public spaces andpublic water bodies and fountains |
- Financial support for solar light systems and hybrid water boiling machines (independent from heat stroke prevention plan). | - N/A |
| Surveillance, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) | -Surveillance System: N/A. | -Surveillance System: N/A. | -Surveillance System: N/A. | -Surveillance System: N/A. | -Surveillance System: N/A. |
| -M&E: outcome and process indicators collected and reported yearly to national entities, including 1) Number of deaths 2) Ambulance calls for heatstroke 3) Number of mail service registrants and 4) Number of alert days | -M&E: outcome indicator collected and published yearly (ER visits with diagnosis of heatstroke) | -M&E: outcome and process indicators collected and published yearly, including 1) Number of mail service registrants and 2) Heatstroke emergency ambulance transports | -M&E: N/A (currently being planned). | -M&E: N/A |