Japan speeds Kumamoto earthquake recovery as dangerous summer heat sets in

Natural disastersGovernment hopes to avoid spate of related deaths seen in recent temblorsKumamoto city recorded a high temperature of 40.3 C on Aug. 3, raising fears of additional deaths due to heatstroke. (Photo by Shun Kato)KOICHI KITANISHI and HIROTO OKURAAugust 4, 2026 07:14 JSTKUMAMOTO, Japan/TOKYO -- With Tuesda

More than 46,000 households remained without water and many also faced fuel shortages as the region suffers sweltering heat, stoking fears of heat-related illness

An elderly woman died from heat stroke while sheltering in her car after a massive earthquake. Authorities are warning of growing heat-related risks for evacuees amid sweltering temperatures. Thousands remain displaced, with many sleeping in cars or outside their homes for privacy. Temperatures are climbing, raising fe

Kumamoto faces a “double disaster,” as rescuers work in 100 degree heat, and shelters with limited air-conditioning put displaced people at risk for heatstroke.

In our news wrap Friday, this week's powerful earthquake in Japan has claimed at least 34 lives, a sweltering heat dome descended over much of the West, a Marine Corps fighter jet crashed at Miramar Air Station in California and President Trump says the U.S. has not yet agreed to let Ukraine build Patriot missiles to a