I spent the Obon holidays in my hometown of Hokkaido. There is an established image of Hokkaido having cool summers, but that is a thing of the past. It’s just so hot. Although it’s not as hot as Tokyo, it’s impossible to get by without air conditioning. My parents’ house installed an air conditioner last year. Having lived in Hokkaido until my teens, it feels like a different era to me to be using an air conditioner at home, but now, even in Hokkaido, the number of people suffering from heatstroke is on the rise, and measures to prevent heatstroke are essential. In 10 years’ time, Hokkaido may become as hot as Tokyo, and may no longer be the hometown. (Kei)

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