Unseasonably warm weather hits many parts of Japan; cedar pollen dispersal begins

TOKYO — Many parts of Japan were unseasonably warm on Feb. 13, with a temperature of 17.3 degrees Celsius recorded in central Tokyo, about the same as in early April. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, high temperatures are expected to continue throughout the country on Feb. 14 and 15.

On Feb. 13, the mercury rose throughout Japan due to a high-pressure system, with the top temperatures in major cities reaching 17.7 C in Fukuoka, 15.8 C in Osaka and 14.9 C in Nagoya.

Meanwhile, the Japan Weather Association reported that cedar pollen has begun to be dispersed in various areas, mainly in western Japan. According to the pollen dispersion information released by the association at 6 p.m. on Feb. 13, the amount of pollen is expected to increase in the Kanto-Koshin region including Tokyo from Feb. 15 onward, and in the Shikoku and Kyushu regions over the weekend.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government also announced on Feb. 13 that cedar pollen dispersal began on Feb. 9 in the capital, one day earlier than in 2023.

(Japanese original by Yongho Lee and Tomonori Matsuo, Tokyo City News Department)