How Japanese companies are adapting to rising heat risks in the workplace

As extreme heat becomes more frequent and severe worldwide, companies face growing pressure to safeguard workers’ health and safety while maintaining productivity.

July 2025 was the third-hottest July on record, following 2023 and 2024, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). In southern Europe, temperatures above 40℃ caused numerous fatalities, while at least 16 people lost their lives due to heat-related causes in South Korea.

The World Bank estimates that extreme heat could decrease annual GDP in heat-affected cities by 2.5% by 2050.

In Japan, Isesaki City in Gunma Prefecture, approximately 100km north of Tokyo, recorded an all-time high of 41.8°C, while Hokkaido, traditionally a summer retreat, saw temperatures approaching 40℃. Hot temperatures in Japan are now expected to persist beyond September and well into October when temperatures used to cool down.

Extreme heat poses major challenges in workplaces. In industries that involve outdoor labour, including agriculture and construction, protecting worker health is key to maintaining both individual wellbeing and productivity.

Workplace heatstroke casualties reached a record 1,257 in Japan last year, with fatalities exceeding 30 for the third consecutive year. Many cases were linked to missed warning signs and delayed responses.

In response, Japan amended the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health on 1 June, 2025. The revision mandates heatstroke prevention measures when employees work for extended periods in environments above 31°C or with a wet bulb globe temperature of 28°C or higher. Noncompliance may result in penalties for employers.

To support implementation, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare issued Strengthening Heatstroke Countermeasures in the Workplace guidance, which detailed how to manage work environments, monitor employee health, educate workers and respond swiftly to early signs of heatstroke.

More than 300 Japanese companies introduced heat countermeasures during the summer of 2025, according to CrossWork, a recruitment platform for non-office industries.

These include providing free beverages and cooling jackets, as well as offering financial support during extreme heat. Backed by government and local subsidies, these efforts help safeguard worker health while sustaining productivity.

Wearable monitoring devices are also becoming more common for outdoor and high-temperature factory workers. Such tools track body temperature and heart rate in real time and issue alerts when heat risks rise, helping prevent heatstroke and include:

Some organizations are improving the work environment through larger building-based measures. Major Japanese construction firm Obayashi Corporation, for example, has launched the “Ryojin” project, which uses ductwork intended for completed buildings to install temporary cooling system during construction.

It has also introduced cooling mist systems and “Shirokuma House (polar bear house)” container-type cooling rooms set at -5℃ to help workers lower body temperature quickly on-site.

More companies now recommend remote work on days exceeding 35°C. In Tokyo metropolitan areas, where average daily commutes exceed 90 minutes, extreme heat significantly raises the risk of heatstroke during travel.

To address this, some IT companies, advertising agencies and foreign firms encourage work from home if forecasts at 6pm on the previous day predict 35°C or higher.

While limited to roles suitable for remote work, one IT company reported no productivity loss during five days of heat-related remote work in July 2025. Leaders emphasized that protecting employees’ health ultimately boosts productivity, while workers praised being able to work with fewer heat-related concerns.

With climate change advancing, extreme summer heat is becoming a persistent risk rather than a temporary anomaly.

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights the need to protect workers from extreme heat, making healthy working environments a permanent corporate responsibility.

Japan’s initiatives, from wearable monitoring devices to cooling workplaces and flexible work arrangements, highlight the need for a multifaceted approach.

These efforts offer a compelling model for companies worldwide striving to protect workers’ health while sustaining operations.