Japan's Environment Ministry launched a special heat stroke alert system Wednesday as part of efforts to address the increasing number of deaths due to the summer heat in recent years.When the alert is issued, municipalities will open designated facilities such as libraries and community centers to residents as "cooling shelters." The system will be in effect through Oct. 23 this year.If unprecedented, widespread and dangerous heat is expected, the ministry will make an announcement at around 2 p.m. the day before and call for canceling or postponing sports and other events that cannot take…READ FULL ARTICLE