40% of Elementary and Junior High School Students Experienced Heatstroke-Like Symptoms Last Summer, Meiko Gijuku Survey Finds

Meiko Network Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo), which operates the nationwide chain of individual tutoring schools 'Meiko Gijuku,' conducted a survey on 'Heatstroke and Heat Countermeasures in Households with Children' targeting 1,100 parents of children from 4th grade elementary to 3rd grade junior high school.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency's three-month forecast released on May 19, temperatures from June to August this year are expected to be higher than average nationwide, leading to severe heat. With elementary and junior high school students spending more time outdoors for commuting, physical education, and club activities, it is increasingly important for parents to understand and prepare appropriate heatstroke countermeasures. On the other hand, challenges such as refraining from using air conditioning due to rising prices and gaps with school rules are becoming apparent.

Based on this social background, Meiko Gijuku has been conducting an annual survey on 'Heatstroke and Heat Countermeasures in Households with Children' since 2023. Through continuous surveys, they aim to provide useful information for household measures and hope this survey serves as an opportunity to review heat countermeasures.

Summary of the 'Survey on Heatstroke and Heat Countermeasures in Households with Children'

Summary 1: Children's Heatstroke Risk and Parents' Sense of Crisis

- 59.4% of parents 'know' the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), increasing for three consecutive years, but 40% are still unaware.
- Last summer, 40% of elementary and junior high school students experienced 'heatstroke-like symptoms,' highlighting the severe impact of extreme heat on children.
- Nearly half of parents reported that their children 'had difficulty communicating' heat-related discomfort.
- 65.3% of parents recognize extreme heat and heatstroke as 'targets of meteorological disaster and disaster prevention.'

Summary 2: Progress in Heatstroke Measures at Home and School, and On-site Challenges
- Neck coolers and parasols are becoming standard for commuting heatstroke prevention.
- One in four children have experienced restrictions on using cooling items or drinking water due to school rules.
- 78.6% of parents believe that 'heatstroke measures in schools should also be mandated by law.'

Summary 3: Impact of Extreme Heat on Home Life and Learning Environment
- Due to soaring electricity bills, about 40% of households are refraining from using air conditioning.
- Extreme heat also affects the 'learning environment,' with about 70% of parents noticing a decline in their children's concentration.

[Topics] Did your child experience heatstroke-like symptoms last summer (2025)? (n=1,100, single answer)

Last summer, 40% of elementary and junior high school students experienced 'heatstroke-like symptoms,' highlighting the severe impact of extreme heat on children.

A survey of 1,100 parents nationwide with children from 4th grade elementary to 3rd grade junior high school found that 40.5% answered that their child had experienced heatstroke-like symptoms last summer (2025). This reveals that a certain number of families are closely aware of changes in their children's physical condition as temperatures rise and extreme heat days continue.

This summer is also expected to be hotter than average nationwide, making awareness of children's heatstroke prevention and daily health management even more important.

Q1: Do you know the 'Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT),' an indicator of heat risk? (n=1,100, single answer)

59.4% of parents 'know' the WBGT, increasing for three consecutive years, but 40% are still unaware.

When asked if they knew the WBGT, 59.4% answered 'know' (know: 24.6%, somewhat know: 34.8%). The percentage answering 'know' has increased year by year from 42.9% in May 2024 and 57.4% in May 2025, rising 16.5 percentage points over three years. This suggests that awareness of heatstroke countermeasures and heat at home is growing.

On the other hand, about 40% of parents answered 'don't know much' or 'don't know,' indicating a need for further dissemination of information and indicators for preventing heatstroke in children.

*WBGT is an index for preventing heatstroke that comprehensively considers temperature, humidity, and solar radiation.

Q2: Has your child ever had difficulty communicating discomfort due to heat or physical condition? (n=1,100, single answer)

Nearly half of parents reported that their children 'had difficulty communicating' heat-related discomfort.

When asked if their child had ever had difficulty communicating discomfort due to heat or physical condition, 46.2% answered 'yes' (often: 8.4%, sometimes: 37.8%). This result suggests that a certain number of children cannot adequately verbalize discomfort or changes in their physical condition due to heat, highlighting the 'invisibility' of heatstroke risk.

Especially during periods of high temperatures, it is increasingly important for adults around children to notice small daily changes, such as complexion, sweating, appetite, and fatigue, rather than relying solely on the child's own reports.

Q3: Do you recognize extreme heat and heatstroke as targets of meteorological disaster and disaster prevention, similar to typhoons and earthquakes? (n=1,100, single answer)

65.3% of parents recognize 'extreme heat and heatstroke as meteorological disasters,' with awareness of 'disaster prevention' spreading.

When asked if they recognize extreme heat and heatstroke as targets of meteorological disaster and disaster prevention, similar to typhoons and earthquakes, 65.3% answered 'yes' (strongly recognize: 16.0%, somewhat recognize: 49.3%).

Against the backdrop of continued record-breaking heat in recent years, the issuance of heatstroke alerts, and strengthened countermeasures at schools, awareness of extreme heat and heatstroke as 'disaster-level risks' appears to be spreading.

Q4: Please select all heatstroke countermeasures your child takes when commuting to school. (n=1,100, multiple answers)

Parasols and neck coolers are becoming new standards for children's commuting heatstroke countermeasures.

When asked about heatstroke countermeasures taken by children during their commute, the most common answer was 'bringing a water bottle/drink (68.9%),' followed by 'frequent hydration (58.0%)' and 'wearing a hat (50.3%).' A certain number of families also reported 'using a neck cooler (25.3%)' and 'using a parasol (19.8%),' indicating that the options for heatstroke prevention items during the commute are expanding due to the severe heat in recent years.

Q5: Has your child ever experienced restrictions or bans on heatstroke countermeasures such as parasols, cooling items, or hydration due to rules at their school? (n=1,100, single answer)

One in four children have experienced restrictions on heatstroke countermeasures and school rules.

When asked if their child had ever experienced restrictions or bans on heatstroke countermeasures such as parasols, cooling items, or hydration due to school rules, 27.1% answered 'yes.'

While interest in extreme heat countermeasures has increased in recent years, it appears that a certain number of families feel a gap between school life rules and their operation. As preparedness for heatstroke risk becomes more important, balancing children's safety with the operation of rules at school is required.

Q6: Do you think heatstroke countermeasures in schools should be mandated by law, similar to workplaces? (n=1,100, single answer)

78.6% of parents believe that 'heatstroke countermeasures in schools should also be mandated by law.'

Similar to workplaces, heatstroke countermeasures in schools should be mandated by law.