Japanese schools still don't have AC in the gym - and won't until 2035

Over the years, many of us on City-cost have mentioned how when we first came to Japan there was no air conditioning in classrooms. Thankfully, air conditioners in the class have become more mainstream in recent years. However, even today, most Japanese schools still do not have air conditioning in their gymnasiums.

I found National Data shows that only around 20% of school gyms are equipped. Meaning the majority of students attend PE classes and school events in spaces that can reach dangerously high temperatures during summer. According to a survey by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in May 2025, only 22.7% of public school gymnasiums in Japan have air conditioning installed. It was an increase of 3.8 points compared to the previous survey in September 2024.

The MEXT’s 2024–2025 infrastructure plan notes that gymnasium air‑conditioning installation is still underway nationwide, with full completion targeted for 2035. It’s genuinely shocking to hear that there are children that won’t have air‑conditioned gymnasiums until 2035, especially given how dangerous Japan’s summers have become.