Long after sunset, the illuminated greenhouse of Motoaki Iijima north of Tokyo glows like a lantern. The flower farmer is harvesting pink and orange gerbera daisies, dodging daytime sun so harsh it can be lethal.
This is part of a growing trend in Japan, where farmers are transitioning to night work to cope with record-breaking heat waves. Soaring temperatures have repeatedly shattered historical records, triggering warnings about heatstroke and heat-related deaths, especially for outdoor workers.
Iijima says the shift to nighttime labor helps him protect his health and maintain productivity. The artificial lighting in the greenhouse not only allows him to see clearly but also somewhat mitigates the impact of high temperatures.
Health and labor experts recommend this measure not only to shield workers from heat-related illnesses but also as a flexible adaptation strategy amid increasingly severe climate change. However, they also caution that night work must be carefully managed to avoid other health risks, such as sleep disorders or accidents due to poor visibility.
The Japanese government has issued new occupational safety guidelines for high-temperature conditions, encouraging agricultural businesses to adopt flexible working hours and provide cooling equipment. Climate scientists also warn that if warming trends persist, nighttime lifestyles could become a more familiar part of Japanese agricultural production.
