Japanese farmers shift to night work as heat becomes life-threatening

In Nikko, north of Tokyo, flower farmer Motoaki Iijima now tends his greenhouse after dark, harvesting pink and orange gerberas under artificial light rather than risk exposure to the intense daytime heat. The practice underscores how Japanese agricultural communities are adapting to increasingly dangerous summer temperatures that have begun claiming lives across the country.

The shift to nocturnal farming represents a significant departure from traditional practices that have governed Japanese agriculture for generations. Beyond the immediate health risks to workers, the change necessitates investment in lighting infrastructure and adjustments to harvest and distribution schedules that ripple through the entire supply chain.

Japan has experienced record-breaking temperatures in recent summers, with heat-related illnesses and deaths rising sharply. Agricultural workers, who spend extended hours in direct sunlight during the growing season, face particular vulnerability to heat stroke and other heat-induced conditions.

While some farmers have adopted nighttime operations, others are exploring additional measures including enhanced cooling systems, shade structures, and modified planting schedules. Agricultural cooperatives are also reviewing worker safety protocols and increasing access to medical services during peak heat periods. Experts warn that without broader climate adaptation strategies, such reactive measures may prove insufficient to protect Japan's farming workforce in the coming decades.