Amid soaring temperatures, Japan is experiencing an uptick in reported air conditioning unit failures. Residents from all over the country are reporting problems with their air conditioners, primarily the outdoor units, causing increased demand for repair services. The spike in failures largely seems to coincide with the current heatwave, leading to concerns about how best to deal with the immediate issue and avoid similar problems in the future.

The Japanese summer is notoriously harsh, with high temperatures and humidity levels putting a strain on both people and systems. Air conditioning is almost universal in Japanese homes and workspaces, so malfunctions during heatwaves have direct impact on lifestyle and work continuity. As climate change continues to drive up summer temperatures, this issue is expected to draw increasing scrutiny from consumers and policymakers alike.

Like Japan, the US and EU also heavily rely on air conditioning during summer months. However, the intensity of heatwaves and the frequency of AC unit breakdowns vary greatly depending on the geographical location and the age of the buildings. In hotter US states like California and Texas, AC malfunctions during heatwaves could be as prevalent as Japan. In many parts of the EU, air conditioning is less common and therefore related issues might not be as pronounced.