(Photo by Engin_Akyurt via Pixabay)

Some are saying we have now reached the point of “global boiling,” with consecutive days of oppressive heat continuing not only in Japan, but also around the world.

Relationship between extreme heat and human rights

In Japan, the connection between hot weather and human rights is still largely unknown, but given the ongoing dangerous heat, there is a risk that companies in particular could infringe on the rights of workers with respect to health and safety. In this situation, there is a growing need for preventive measures and action from a human rights perspective.

Warehouse worker goes on strike, cites insufficient heatstroke measures

According to the Tokyo Shimbun newspaper (in Japanese), in August 2024, an employee working at a warehouse of courier company Yamato Transport went on strike, citing insufficient measures to combat heatstroke. Together with the employee’s labor union, they demanded improvements in working conditions and the provision of fan-equipped workwear.
There is a high risk of heatstroke during the summer when working outdoors or indoors without sufficient air conditioning. Proper management and preventive measures are therefore essential, including regular temperature monitoring and frequent breaks. Insufficient measures in the workplace environment could potentially violate the human rights of workers and put their lives in danger.

Rights holders particularly vulnerable to extreme heat

Also, all workers react to heat in different ways, even though they may be engaged in the same work. According to UNICEF, Human Rights Watch, and the results of research conducted by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) , the following groups of rights holders are thought to be particularly vulnerable to the effects of heat.

Rights holders vulnerable to extreme heat:

Children, women, older people, people with disabilities, pregnant women, those with high blood pressure or obesity, and people using certain medication

How companies are responding

In response, the following companies are taking steps to combat extreme heat from a human rights perspective.

• Canon

As part of its response to addressing human rights issues, Canon investigated workplace temperature concerns raised by employees through its internal consultation hotline. Measures taken included the installation of large fans and air conditioning units, the addition of more ventilation pipes, and the provision of chilled lemon water for heatstroke prevention. In addition, owing to the rising incidence of heatstroke at both indoor and outdoor worksites, Canon is continuing to educate its contracted workers about how best to prevent the onset of heatstroke.

• Oriental Land

Oriental Land recognizes the human rights issues related to the environment and climate change as one of its key human rights issues, and conducts human rights due diligence accordingly.

 The need for measures to combat extreme heat in light of human rights

With dangerous heat waves continuing for days on end, companies will need to take appropriate preventive measures and management practices for their respective workplace environments, while recognizing that extreme heat is something that needs to be addressed from the perspective of human rights. It is also important that companies pay attention to which rights holders are particularly vulnerable in deciding what action to take.

(Author: Shiho Funahara, Translation: Alex Koolhof)