Japan’s drowning accidents hit a 10-year high in 2024. Kanto Smart Living Cooperative called on the public to be vigilant, abide by safety rules, and protect water safety.
TOKYO, JAPAN (MERXWIRE) – With the arrival of summer vacation and continued high temperatures, playing in the water has become the first choice for people to cool off; however, it has also led to a sharp increase in water-related accidents. According to data released by the Japanese National Police Agency, a total of 1,535 water accidents occurred nationwide in 2024, representing an increase of 143 from 2023 and marking a record high in nearly 10 years. The number of drownings rose significantly, reaching 1,753, an increase of 86 from the previous year, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen water safety awareness.
According to statistics from various prefectures, Okinawa Prefecture had the highest number of drowning accidents, with a total of 128, followed by Tokyo (107) and Gifu Prefecture (68). In terms of age, adults aged 18 to 65 were the primary victims (850 people, accounting for 48.5%), followed by those aged 65 and above (599 people, accounting for 34.2%), and 191 children aged junior high school and below were victims, accounting for 10.9% of the total.
Deaths and disappearances mainly occurred at sea (372 people) and in rivers (288 people), and among the types of activities, fishing (191 people) and work-related actions (65 people) were the most risky. Of particular concern is that 28 children aged junior high school and below died or went missing, of which 64.3% occurred in rivers and were primarily related to water activities.
In the face of the continued increase in drowning accident data, the National Police Agency of Japan has called on everyone to pay attention to water accidents. This includes avoiding dangerous areas with fast currents or overgrown weeds that can cause easy slipping, as well as parents accompanying children and not letting children play in the water alone. Kanto Smart Living Cooperative, based on data and advice from the National Police Agency and experts, has proposed “Recommendations for Preventing Water Accidents”, calling on the public to strengthen their awareness of prevention and follow the following safety advice.
First, “identifying dangerous areas” is the most basic protection. When fishing, swimming, or playing in the water, avoid areas with dense seaweed, fast currents, or significant changes in water depth, and comply with on-site danger signs. Parents should pay special attention to children’s actions and prohibit them from going to high-risk places alone.
Second, “correctly assessing the situation in advance” is extremely important. Before going out, you should check the weather forecast and river and sea terrain information. If there is a sudden rise in water levels due to strong winds, thunderstorms, or rainfall upstream, you should avoid approaching sandbanks, riverbanks, or the seashore to ensure safety.
Third, “avoiding playing in the water when you are unwell or after drinking” is also the key to accident prevention. Many tragedies happen after drinking or when you are in poor physical condition. It is recommended that people stop water activities if they feel unwell and avoid taking risks in the water.
When engaging in water activities such as playing, boating, or fishing, be sure to “wear a life jacket”. Choosing a life jacket that fits your body and wearing it correctly can not only improve buoyancy but also significantly increase the survival rate and rescue efficiency in emergencies.
For swimmers, they should “comply with swimming safety regulations”. This includes not trespassing in waters marked as dangerous, not destroying or moving buoys and markers without permission, and staying in designated swimming areas with lifeguards. Additionally, avoid entering the water at night or during unsupervised periods.
“Parental accompaniment and supervision” is the most excellent guarantee for children’s safety. Suppose children cannot swim. In that case, they should be accompanied by an adult throughout the process and wear a life jacket to avoid acting alone in unsupervised waters.
In addition, “pre-planning and safety preparations” should be made before outdoor activities. If you are barbecuing by the river, consider whether your children will be going into the water. Prepare appropriate clothing and safety equipment in advance, and keep a close eye on their movements.
To reduce the risk, it is recommended to use “water depth below the knee” as the safe boundary for playing in the water. Because the terrain of the water area is prone to drop, even if you fall below the knee depth, it can effectively reduce the risk of drowning.
If you accidentally fall into the water, mastering the “supine floating” technique is crucial for self-rescue. Floating on your back with your mouth and nose above the water helps stabilize breathing, reduce physical exhaustion, and buy time for rescue.
Summer water play is fun, but safety must not be ignored. The government and local units will continue to strengthen publicity and facility construction, aiming to reduce the occurrence of water accidents through joint public efforts, making summers more secure and enjoyable.
Media Contacts:
Kanto Smart Living Cooperative
PR Agency:
MERXWIRE INC.
Ada Huang
pr@merxwire.com
SOURCE: Kanto Smart Living Cooperative