Current Weather in Sapporo

Cultural and meteorological awareness regarding climate in Japan is shaped by a unique value system that emphasizes the delicate changes of the four seasons and a consciousness of coexistence with nature.

Deep Sensitivity to the Seasons

Clarity of the Four Seasons

• Japan belongs to a temperate monsoon climate, and the four distinct seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter are evident in the country.
• The transitions of the seasons are vividly expressed in literature, art, and daily life, cultivating a culture that appreciates the "beauty of the four seasons."

Seasonal Words and Haiku

• Seasonal words serve as symbols of the sense of seasons in the Japanese language and are frequently used in haiku and tanka.
• Examples: Spring = cherry blossoms, Summer = cicadas, Autumn = autumn leaves, Winter = snow.

Awareness and Sensitivity to Weather in Daily Life

Daily Conversation and Weather

• Weather-related greetings such as "It's hot today" and "It looks like it’s going to rain" serve as lubricants for communication.
• There is a high interest in weather forecasts and minute changes in temperature, making it common to carry umbrellas and adjust clothing accordingly.

Use of Weather Apps and Forecasts

• Japanese people often check weather forecasts on TV and smartphone apps, utilizing weekly forecasts and hourly predictions.
• There is particularly strong awareness of preparation for rain, with the usage and carrying rate of umbrellas being among the highest in the world.

Disaster and Meteorological Awareness

Coexistence with Typhoons, Heavy Rain, and Earthquakes

• People are accustomed to natural disasters like typhoons, the rainy season, and heavy rainfall, and have a high level of disaster prevention awareness.
• Schools and companies have established "evacuation drills" and "disaster manuals," fostering a culture of preparedness for disasters.

High Awareness of Disaster Prevention

• The use of rain cloud radars, hazard maps, and evacuation information is common.
• The principle of "preparedness prevents worry" is fundamental in facing nature.

Connection between the Calendar and Seasons

Culture of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms and Seventy-Two Seasons

• The calendar of Chinese origin has evolved uniquely in Japan, with many words expressing microclimates (subtle signs of seasons).
• Example: "Keichitsu" (啓蟄) = the time when insects come out from the ground, "Shoman" (小満) = when the grass and trees are flourishing.

Seasonal Events and Festivals

• Traditional Japanese events such as New Year, Setsubun, Hanami, Tanabata, and autumn leaf viewing are closely linked to the seasons.
• Seasonal ingredients and cultural motifs (such as sudare, uchimizu, kakigori, kotatsu, etc.) are also integrated into daily life.

Modern Meteorological Culture and Challenges

Global Warming and the "Loss of Seasonal Sensitivity"

• There is a sense of crisis that the once "distinctly Japanese four seasons" are deteriorating due to global warming, presenting challenges like severe heat, shortened autumn, and lack of snow.

Linking Meteorological Data with Tourism and Business

• In the travel industry and agriculture, there are advancements in demand forecasting and planning optimization using weather data, and efforts in "Weather x Industry" are active.

Summary

Japan's awareness of climate is characterized by its deep connections to culture, aesthetic awareness, practical knowledge of living, and disaster preparedness. If there are topics you’d like to explore further (such as disaster prevention, tourism, education, cultural heritage, etc.), please let me know.