Tokyo is experiencing a record-breaking heat wave this summer, leading to increased household expenses and disruptions in food supply. Monthly household spending in Tokyo is estimated to have risen by approximately 3,500 yen ($23) due to higher costs associated with cooling, food, and travel. The prolonged heat, including eight consecutive days of extreme temperatures in the city center, has also affected agricultural and marine products. Grapes have failed to ripen properly, and there has been an unusual appearance of tropical fish in Mie Prefecture. Additionally, the northern regions of Japan have seen a sharp decline in the sea urchin catch, a popular delicacy, driving prices up significantly. Urchin rice bowls have reached prices as high as $120, exacerbating the strain on consumers already facing elevated food costs. In response to the heat, Tokyo has introduced measures such as an 80,000 yen discount on air conditioners for elderly residents to help mitigate the impact of the heat wave on vulnerable populations.