Japan’s golf sport faces enormous challenges in summer due to climate change: According to a study by the National Institute for Environmental Studies and Waseda University, three quarters of the country could be too hot for outdoor sports activities between 3 and 6 pm by 2065. Summer temperatures in Tokyo already reach an average of 34°C with 78% humidity, resulting in a dangerous heat index. According to the World Health Organization, this is particularly dangerous for younger and older people.
The effects are already being felt: since 2018, over 1,250 people have died from heat-related illnesses in Japan every year. Schools are responding with measures such as early morning training and shortened outdoor sessions. However, experts emphasize that these approaches are not enough. They are calling for fundamental changes, including moving competitions to cooler seasons and expanding air-conditioned training facilities. Even if carbon dioxide emissions are significantly reduced in the future, about half of Japan will be too hot to exercise during the hottest times of the day.
The research team from the National Institute for Environmental Studies, therefore, states: “As climate change progresses, it will become difficult to continue club activities in the same way as before, and measures such as early morning training or reducing outdoor training alone will not be enough.” (…) “Fundamental changes, including adjustments to annual tournament and training schedules and the development of indoor training facilities, will also be crucial,” it continues.
For golf in Japan, this means that a further shift towards digital golf offerings is likely, especially as these already play a major role in Asia. At the same time, golf as an outdoor sport could lose its appeal to the older generation. However, this is still a significant proportion of golfers. According to statistics, over seven %t of Japanese people over the age of 70 played golf in 2023.
