On the 28th the Palaceside Building ran a test of the misting system installed on the large canopy (nicknamed the Umbrella) at the west entrance. Until summer continues, it will operate in daytime hours except Sundays and holidays when weather, temperature and wind speed meet set conditions.
The system, which sprays water to lower the surrounding temperature, was installed in 2020 by the building's owner, The Mainichi Newspapers, with a Chiyoda City heat-island-mitigation grant. Twenty-eight nozzles on the inside and outside of the Umbrella send out a vigorous mist, a "water curtain" that brings a sense of cool.
In its three-month forecast (June–August) issued in May, the Japan Meteorological Agency expects temperatures nationwide to run above normal this summer and forecasts a severe heat wave. In the latter half of summer, heat may exceed last year's record. Please take care.